The Use of Cultural Maps in Developing Intercultural Sensitivity: From Culture-Centrism to Culture-Relativism

Abstract

The paper describes an experience of teaching intercultural communications to undergraduate students using a cultural mapping method. Students were asked to draw cultural-specific maps that reflected their own idea of the world and then to compare them with similar maps drawn by people from different countries. In the process of drawing, presenting, comparing and discussing the maps, students were forced to confront their own cultural preconceptions as well as to become aware of the extent to which their picture of the world is culturally determined.