AUS professor edits book on intercultural communication with Arabs

American University of Sharjah (AUS) professor Dr. Rana Raddawi recently edited a book entitled Intercultural Communication with Arabs. The book features 18 chapters, four of which were written by AUS faculty and alumni, that provide insight into the ways Arabs communicate in different contexts such as business, education, politics, media, healthcare and society at large.

While there is a concentration of studies from the Gulf Arab states, this book includes perspectives from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Sudan. Written by both Arab authors and foreign scholars who live or have lived in the region, this book aims to help readers better understand and communicate with Arab culture and society.

According to Dr. Raddawi, Associate Professor in the Department of English, "This book is the first of its kind on the subject and provides an insight into the humanitarian side of Arabs. It breaks the stereotype of violence, aggression and fanaticism of Arabs as portrayed by the Western media, especially after 9/11 and the Arab Spring in the Middle East."

"Drawing on current theory, research and practice, this book will help readers better understand and, as a result, better engage with the Arab world," added Dr. Raddawi.

Divided into three main sections that include studies in educational, professional and societal contexts, the book is based on ethnographies, case studies and real-life experiences and is useful for researchers, academics, and graduate and undergraduate students.

Dr. Raddawi also has a chapter in the book called "Intercultural (Mis-) Communication in Medical Settings: Cultural Difference or Cultural Incompetence?"

Two other AUS professors have contributed chapters to the book. Dr. Linzi J. Kemp, Associate Professor in the Department of Management, wrote "Culturally Different Perspectives of Time: Effect on Communication in Meetings," and by Dr. Khawlah Ahmed, Associate Professor in the Department of English, wrote "Intercultural Communication and Muslim American Youth in US School Contexts.

In addition, AUS alumni Sarah Abdul-Hadi, LoriAnn Alnaizy, Bashaer Aref and Asma AlShamsi also co-authored a chapter, under the supervision of Dr. Raddawi, entitled "Integrating People with Disabilities into Society in the UAE."

As the first volume on intercultural communication in Arab societies, this book, published by Springer, charts new territory and seeks to lay the groundwork for future study of Arab communication from an Arab perspective.