Final Individual Cultural Diversity Course Reflection #4



The cultural diversity course includes many things that can help the student to know more about other cultures, how to deal with them, respect people believes and ways of life. The concept of culture is very complicated because it has many meanings but I will define it as people's way of life, people pass their culture by learning so we can see culture in people writing, music, religion and cooking.

Overall most of the classes were interesting to me, but the most three classes that were enjoyable are: the class when we talked about "salad bowl and melting pot" which let me well understands assimilation and multiculturalism, the other class which was about brown and blue eyes we watched a video and I learned the meaning of racism and the classes were we watched videos to know more about the other cultures.

It is very important for the students to know about cultural diversity because it will help them to learn how to deal with the other cultures and respect their actions. The best age to take this course is eighteen because at this age the student will communicate more with the outside environment so he needs to know more about other cultures.

The most interesting thing that I learned in this course is about the social issues about other cultures (what they eat, dress).

Harmony day is the day of cultural respect where all people from different sectors celebrate on this day. If the UAE government decided to have this day I think it should be a day near the national day and it should be celebrated in schools, universities, jobs and childcare centers by presenting different activities.

first two powerpoint slides

Blog Exercise 10B: Add 50-100 words

Blog Exercise 10B: Add 50-100 words (#10B) to your reflection about 

What else has the UAE done to try to ensure human rights for its workers and to stop human trafficing? Why is this important for the (your) government to take this stand??

The government of the United Arab Emirates guarantees human rights by giving freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom of communication, freedom of religion and quality before law. Sheikh Zayed gave women great rights such as the right to drive a car and the right to education. So, women can play significant role in the society like men. Human rights are important because people feel free when they gain them. Also, it is important to my government to stop tyranny.

Blog Exercise 10A: Write a reflection

Blog Exercise 10A: Write a reflection 

 50-100 words (#10A) about modern slavery today. What do you think?  Figure out how many slaves work for you

Actually, the concept of slaves exists in ancient time and still exists today so, we can find them everywhere. Slaves mean human trafficking so people can buy and sell them but this is not legal trade. Also they are forced to work which means low power all these things are against human rights. There are not any slave works for me. However, we have house maid at home but she does not consider as slave because she just serve and help us in house works of course with monthly salary. Sometimes I feel shame when I ask her to give me something like water because I feel I am lazy.

Exercise #8b part 2:

Exercise #8b part 2:

Cultural Dimension	Character Todd, Puro, Aisha or other	Outsourced Scene or Circumstance
Low-context culture	Todd	speaks directly
High-context culture	Aisha	focus on details
Individualism	Todd	He likes to stay a lone
Collectivism	Other	Family Pictures
Low power distance	Todd	speaks to his boss and calls Dave  “cheap bastard”
High power distance	Puro	he always wants ro talk
Uncertainty tolerance	Todd	revile his boss
Uncertainty avoidance	Aisha	Asking most the time
Task orientation	Puro	director
Social orientation	Aisha	know how to deal

Exercise #8b:

Exercise #8b:

There are many several cultural dimensions in the United Arab Emirates. Through Outsourced documents, citizens in the UAE are low context, because we communicate with each other briefly and straight so, we do not focus on details. Secondly, we considered from cultural dimensions as collectivism because most locals live with their family and they do not like to live alone. Thirdly, we are a low power distance, for instance, we can set with our leaders and negotiation with them and there are not differences between us, so we are quall and citizens are dealt same. The UAE considered as high uncertainty avoidance and social orientation, so we work in group and cooperate with each other because we like to share ideas. As it is known, “two minds are better than one”

Exercise #8a:

Exercise #8a:

Below is a brief explanation of the cultural dimensions:-  

·                  Low-context and high-context culture
                  our teacher (Gregory) he talks briefly straight  --  me 

• ·         Individualism and collectivism
•              My cousin (Ali) he lives alone in the US and he has a cute dog -- our neighbor doesn't like to live a lone.He always visits us and he is very social.
• ·         Low power distance and high power distance
•                  our leaders which are similar to us  -  leaders of Kingdom of Saudi                Arabia are high power than other members
• ·         Uncertainty tolerance and uncertainty avoidance
•   Come To My office   -   Come To My office in Al Murour street ,level  4,    at 1:35 pm.
• ·         Task orientation and social orientation

                     focus individual success  --- focus more on collective concerns and problem                         solving

Find a sample of each in the UAE country and Emirati culture (ten answers):

One Example?:

Exercise #7 EXTRA ++

Ethnocentrism Assignment – Exercise #7 EXTRA    ++

1)    List three examples of ethnocentrism from history

·     A-       Nazi Germany (  Adolf Hitler).

B-      The Merchant of Venice ( Shakespeare)

C       European Imperialism

2)    What country is known for being ethnocentric today?

           United States

3)    What is the famous quote from Shylock which reminds all of us of our humanity?

     "If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not seek revenge?"

Reflection # 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obRmlIo3dH4

Portfolio exercise #6

Portfolio exercise #6

With a partner, please answer the following. You may use internet resources to help you.

1.      Define:

a.       Stereotyping: all of one group have one characteristic.

b.      Prejudice: is an opinion, attitude about a group or its individual members.

c.       Bias: feeling that somebody is different.

d.      Discrimination: it is a behavior where it treats people unequally because of their group memberships.

2.      Give an example of each.

a.       All students are smarts.

b.      All teachers are perfects.

Watch Class Divided

ü Understanding

With partners, answer the following:

1.      Where, when and with whom did this experiment take place?     

                 The United States of America, Tuesday morning in 1960, at school (Grade 3)

2.       Describe the experiment.

    

    The teacher did the experiment on the students which was about discrimination. In the first day, the teacher said people with blue eyes are better than brown eyes. In the next day she said the opposite in order to see student’s reaction.

3.      What were the results?                                                                                                                                        

            They hate something called discrimination because it distinguishes people based on color and that is not from justice.

4.      How successful do you believe it was?                                                                                                          

The experiment was successful and the students learned from prejudice. So, they will not apply this concept on human being.

Going Deeper 

In groups of four, discuss the following:

 A time she or he experienced prejudice or discrimination

I and my brother went to the restaurant in Germany .so, we were wearing a Kandorh and we talked in English to order but he did not answer us.
  A time she or he discriminated against somebody else

In the past especially in the USA, A security did not let a man enter the hotel because of the color of his skin which was white

 A time she or he witnessed discrimination and did nothing about it

    I watched a video which was about a man in Dubai beat Pakistani man because of his nationality.

  A time she or he witnessed discrimination and did something about it
  a vice principal separates the student because he was eating in the class.

reflection #1

reflection 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDXUO9XSHiw&feature=youtu.be

 This short visit to heritage village museum remained me about the traditions of my country and how our ancestors were living. I noticed that they used to live in many difficulties and harsh situations. For example, they used camel to transfer from one place to another and they lived in a weak house that may fall by first wind. UAE have a unique heritage and culture which attracts the tourism from all around the countries to visit us and this plays a major role in developing the economy of the country. Many thoughts came to my mind and I was comparing between past and our live today. Also I had the opportunity to meet some of the visitors and to compare our culture with theirs. Finally, I think that having like this museum in our country make the new generation to be more connected with our past.

Portfolio exercise #4

3. Portfolio exercise #4  - Everest Team  

Everest climbing team: Cultural Diversity #4

Watch the film and take notes to answer the following questions:

1.    List the team members by name, with their duties and country

Name                         Responsibility                     Country                   Skills

-Jamling                           Climb                                   India                      Climbing                    

-Ed Viesters                         Leader                                    USA                         Leader

- Paula                               Camp Manger                            USA                        Climbing 

-Aeaceli Segarra                    Climb                                    Spain                       Climbing

-Chyangba                           Cooker                                   China                        Cooking 

-Sumiyo Tsuzki                    Expedition                              Japan                     take photo 

-Roger Bham                        Scientist                                  UK                      instructor 

2.    What were the qualities or skills of each member that supported the team

Each person was cooperated with the team. So, the set their goals and work hard to achieve them.

  

3.    How was the Team helped by ‘cultural diversity’ to attain their goal (reach the summit of Everest)?  

Everybody respect others and their culture.

Portfolio exercise #2

Portfolio exercise #2

Quiz 1 - What is Cultural Diversity

Read the UNESCO report. True or False? If FALSE, write the TRUE answer.

1. At least 6000 different languages exist in the world.	true
2. Over 200 million people live outside the country where they were born.	False, around 175 million people live outside the country where they were born.
3. One aspect of Human Rights is respecting different cultures.	true
4. Cultural Diversity means a lack of respect for freedom of thought.	False, Cultural Diversity means respect for freedom of thought.
5. Cultural Diversity can make a society stronger.	true

Vocabulary practice. Define in your own words:

1. Heterogeneous: consisting of parts or members that are very different from each other.

2. Plurality: a large number of different things.

3. Migration: people go to live in another area or country, especially in order to find work.

4. Fundamental: basic

5. Collective strength: group of people that have power and this is because of Cultural Diversity.

Now read the rest of the article, and answer these questions by researching on the internet.

1.    The article mentions food as an example of Cultural Diversity. Can you think of something else which could add interest and richness in a culturally diverse country?

Music, dress, literature and lifestyle.

2. Name three ways in which people of different cultures can help a country to function in the new global economy.

1.    Language skills,

2.     new ways of thinking

3.    Negotiation.

3. From the internet, in relation to Cultural Diversity, find a picture and a definition of “Melting pot” and “Garden salad”.

Melting pot: weakness - each culture loses them because everyone melts into one culture

Garden salad: weakness - though they are mixed each culture maintains its identity. this may cause disunity, segregation discrimination. No unified culture

4. Britain today is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Look on the internet and find out which nationalities make up the “ethnic minority population of over 4 million”.

France and black Africa

5. Australia is another of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. The University of Melbourne has a policy on Cultural Diversity. Read the two paragraphs and summarize them in your own words.

Australia is considered as cosmopolitan country there are many different cultures. The University of Melbourne receives students from varied cultures.

Vocabulary practice. Give the opposite:

Varied	same	Increasingly	decreasingly	Respecting	Bad manners
Strength	weakness	Improving	decline	Inclusive	incomprehensive
Majority	minority	Tolerance	weakness	Equality

Vocabulary practice. Give a synonym:

Diverse	differing	Creative	productive	Uniqueness	exclusivity
Dignity	Self-respect	Integrated	included	Asset	treasure
Global	Worldwide	Benefit	advantage