Relationship as a space “in between”. A transcultural and transdisciplinary approach to academic teaching mediated by dialogue

This study describes a transcultural and transdisciplinary approach to academic teaching mediated by dialogue. This approach takes inspiration from the philosophy of dialogue, a branch of contemporary Anglo-European philosophy founded by Martin Buber, and from transdisciplinarity, according to the perspective proposed by Basarab Nicolescu, contemporary Romanian physicist and philosopher. In this view, dialogue becomes a space of relationship, rather than for relationship among, across and beyond both cultures and disciplines. Investigated as it is mainly through academic teaching, this approach is described in detail: the courses, the findings drawn from the students’ feedback and contributions, their analysis, meaning, and implications. The additional aim of this study is to consider dialogue as a space of relationship, which may be applied also beyond the academic context, and, far more broadly, to everyday life: dialogue and relationship may become a “lifestyle”.