The reality of dynamically evolving communication technologies creates new models of perception, learning, shaping human relations, and cooperation. Tools for social activity provided by the so called new media can significantly affect the state development and maintenance of intercultural contacts and relationships. On one hand, the communication revolution has greatly increased individual access to the texts, values, models and representatives of other cultures. On the other hand, the strong effect of global centers of information, entertainment, and public opinion causes the establishing of a pan-national system of reference. Communications, themes, and ideas circulating in the main channels of information and cultural participation become familiar to all users, no matter their place of origin. On the basis of the mass culture, key events and processes discussed in the global arena, new narratives, ideas, and social expectations are created and these affect the states and actions of various subjects shaping intercultural relations.
The world debate about the roles and possibilities of new technologies in education and the shaping of attitudes and behaviors is becoming more and more intense. Traditional text-based techniques and tools are being replaced by those based on digital realis, making education and the development of social ties less constrained by the older limitations of time and space, especially for “digital” generation.

With this call for papers we invite researchers to collaboratively explore the relations between culture, different readings of cultural meanings and new technologies dominating contemporary ways of communication. Interpretations of the conference theme, ranging from predictable to the surprising or even shocking, are highly encouraged. Aspects of the debate might include, but not be limited to, the following:

- Theory and concepts of new media
- New communication media in education processes
- Virtual communities in building intercultural dialogue
- ‘Digital natives’ – myth or reality?
- New media in negotiating cultural differences and values
- International relations and collaborations
- New media, visual culture and semiology
- Communication networks vs. web technologies
- Web personalization vs. web intelligence
- Identity, ethnicity and gender in new media
- Virtual relations and ‘real world’ friendship
- New technologies in education, human interaction and knowledge sharing.


The conference is a part of a co-operation project between Jagiellonian University, Northern Illinois University and Columbia College Chicago. Zygmunt Bauman and Ciro Marcondes Filho have already confirmed participation in the project.

Please send your submission (approx.300 words) for a 20-minute presentation together with short biographical notes by 30 June to: Prof. GarryRobson: garry.robson@uj.edu.pl Dr Małgorzata Zachara: malgorzata.zachara@uj.edu.pl

Conference fee is €150. This includes: conference registration fee, accommodation (1 night), catering during the symposium and a publishing of post-conference volume.
We look forward to seeing you at the Symposium
For further details about the conference, please email Dr. JolantaSzymkowska-Bartyzelat jolanta.szymkowska-bartyzel@uj.edu.pl


See more on: http://www.transatlantic.uj.edu.pl/negotiating-cultural-differences-in-the-digital-communication-era