Even if you never leave your own country, you cannot help but cross paths with people of different cultures in our connected and fast-paced world. Written for students studying intercultural communication for the first time, this textbook gives a thorough introduction to inter- and cross-cultural concepts with a focus on practical application and social action. The book brings together a group of authors from diverse backgrounds (rhetoric, media studies, organizational approaches, and interpersonal communication) to present a broad view of communication that incorporates scientific, humanistic, and critical theories. The text highlights and critiques key theory and research in an accessible and engaging manner but is written with a complex version of culture in mind. It incorporates examples from around the world that represent a variety of differences, including age, sex, race, religion, and sexual orientation. Pedagogy is woven throughout the text with student-centered examples, text boxes, applications, critical thinking questions, and a glossary of key terms, and it extends beyond the book with online resources for both students and instructors. The text not only helps students understand other cultures, but it also encourages them to be more aware of and civically engaged in their own culture with suggestions for individual intercultural effectiveness and giving back to the community in  socially relevant ways. Online resources for students and instructors can be found at www.wiley.com/go/baldwin.