THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT OF A. MULTIDISCIPLINARY CONSTRUCT OF INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE IN COLLEGE STUDENTS By SANDI MARIE SMITH A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Leadership in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education Degree Awarded: Summer Semester, 1999 Copyright © 1999 Sandi Marie Smith All Rights Reserved‘The members of the Committee approve the dissertation of Sandi Marie Smith defended on April 5, 1999. . wifey everly Bower Committee Member eh ey 2 i. Hollie Thomas Committee Member Approved: Bel mnen . Chairperson, Department of Educational LeadershipTABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables. Abstract .. Chapter Page 1 INTRODUCTION. Research Objectives Definition of Terms. Context of the Problem . Problem Statemen Statement of Purpose. Research Questions. Significance of Stud} 2. REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE... Scope and History of the Field... Research Agenda.. Defining a Construct Reasonable Indicators of Intercultural Competence .... Construct Validity Item and Factor Analysis Item Performance Content Validity Questions for Further Research..... Conclusions of Related Literature iii