8th Annual WML Academic Symposium

Time: 10:30
Room: 225
Presenter(s): Carson Murphy
Title: Residence Halls and Race Relations: Intercultural Communication and Conflict  
Developed under the guidance of Dr. Dean Farmer , Communication Studies

This qualitative research study explores intercultural conflict styles and how communication differences affect roommate conflict in university housing. Using a critical approach to conflict, co-cultural theory and cultural identifications theory serve as a basis of analysis. These theories provide a framework to understanding how roommates interact in residence halls on university campuses. Intercultural conflict is a result of incompatibility of cultural norms, values, and beliefs. This study examines patterns at a rural private institution. The focus of this study is to identify similarities within intercultural conflicts and correlated roommate conflict. This information could provide useful insight to improve residence life policies.