Short description:

Written in a clear, engaging style Facework: Bridging Theory and Practice introduces a new paradigm that identifies facework as the key to communication within the management of difference. Authors Kathy Domenici and Stephen W. Littlejohn illustrate how facework is a central process in the social construction of both identity and community.  

Long description:

"By "granting the other specificity," authors Domenici and Littlejohn successfully uphold the important values of human dignity, honor, and respect as anchoring points in which the story of the book evolves."
?Stella Ting-Toomey, California State University at Fullerton

"The book is written in user-friendly language, well planned, well executed, and packed with useful ideas on building positive facework in diverse contexts."
?Stella Ting-Toomey, California State University at Fullerton

"The advantage of this text is its consistent, strong, and thoroughly researched focus on Communication. The benefits for readers come from this focus, as well as from the accessible language, vivid examples, and engaging suggestions."
?Liliana Casta?eda Rossmann, California State University, San Marcos    

"Written in an accessible and engaging style, there is much to recommend this text as an excellent illustration of practical theory."
?William R. Cupach, Illinois State University  

Written in a clear, engaging style Facework: Bridging Theory and Practice introduces a new paradigm that identifies facework as the key to communication within the management of difference. Authors Kathy Domenici and Stephen W. Littlejohn illustrate how facework is a central process in the social construction of both identity and community.  

Key Features:

• Goes beyond traditional understandings of face to enrich the concept of facework: This book formulates a new practical theory of facework and provides principles of practice derived from the theory. Skills and methods appropriate for a face-centered practice of communication in the management of difference are addressed.
• Offers a wide spectrum of examples: Building dignity, honor, and respect is an ongoing accomplishment within the conversations and episodes of group life, in relationships, organizations, communities, nations, and international relations. This book includes cases on the personal, organizational, societal, and global levels.
• Demonstrates a fresh perspective in a clear, engaging, and accessible style: The book honors the research literature on facework and presents key findings in a meaningful way.  

Intended Audience:
This is an excellent text for undergraduate and graduate courses in Intercultural Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Management Communication, and Group Communication, among others. It is also a valuable resource for management consultants, mediators, facilitators, trainers, and organizational development professionals.

Table of Contents:

Preface
Introduction
Part I: The Social Construction of Face
1: Identity and Facework: A Theoretical Perspective
Accomplishing Identity
The Metaphor of Face
Constructing a Frame
Focus of Attention
Contexts of Action
Principles for Practice
2: Creating an Environment for Constructive Facework: A Practical Perspective
Facework and the Communication Environment
Creating a Constructive Environment
Skills for Positive Facework
Principles for Practice
Part II: Realms of Practice
3: Facework in the Personal Realm
Communication Acts
Integrating Facework Into Conversation
Episodes of Facework
Personal Face and the Lifescript
Principles for Practice
4: Facework in the Relational Realm
Thinking About Relationships
Facework in the Relationship
Communication Acts in the Relationship
Conversations and Episodes of Relational Life
The Relational Lifescript
Principles for Practice
Part III: Facework and the System
5: Facework in the Community
Communication Acts in the Community
Community Conversations
Episodes in Building Community
Lifescripts and the Community
Principles for Practice
6: Cultural and Global Issues
The Culture of Facework
Putting a Face on International Relations
Principles for Practice
Part IV: Principled Practice
7: Toward a Practical Theory of Facework
Practical Theory
A Theory of Facework
Facework as Transcendence
Putting Facework Into Practice in Uganda
8: Guidelines From Artisans
Slogan 1: I'm Not Here to Call You a Thug
Slogan 2: Don't Open Presents in Front of Others
Slogan 3: The Ball Is Over the Fence
Slogan 4: It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Doing Facework That Matters
References