Facework: Bridging Theory and Practice

"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 Castañeda 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.

Kathy Domenici (M.A., University of New Mexico) is a partner in Domenici Littlejohn, Inc. and a project consultant for the Public Dialogue Consortium.  A consultant since 1990, Kathy is a conflict-management specialist, mediator, facilitator, and trainer. She founded the Mediation Clinic at the University of New Mexico and now specializes in designing high-level strategy and leadership processes.  Kathy has worked on behalf of such clients as Eastman Kodak, The President’s Commission on Critical Infrastructure, Sandia National Laboratories, Lockheed Martin, and the Kellogg Foundation.

Stephen Littlejohn (Ph.D., University of Utah), is a conflict management consultant, mediator, facilitator, and trainer.  He is consultant for the Public Dialogue Consortium and a partner in Domenici Littlejohn, Inc.   Stephen is co-author of Moral Conflict:  When Social Worlds Collide (Sage, 1997) and has written numerous other books and articles on communication and conflict.  He was a professor of communication at Humboldt State University in California and is currently Adjunct Professor of Communication and Journalism at the University of New Mexico.  He has done research on mediation and conflict management for 19 years and has been an active mediator for eight.  Stephen has been a consultant for such clients as the Waco Youth Summit, the Alliance for Constructive Communication, the City of Cupertino, Columbia Basin College, and Washington State University.