Western Culture and Society Course Introduction

What is culture?

Linell Davis Culture is like an iceberg – Only some of culture is visible – Most of culture is below the surface of our awareness – Purpose of teaching culture is to raise the hidden part of the iceberg so that more of it becomes visible.

Culture is our software – If we are born with the physical selves( hardware) we can’t be said to be human until we are programmed by our home culture- basic operating system. – As any good software, when we use it, it fades into the background. As a result we only vaguely aware of it. – Purpose of teaching culture is to enable our students to add new software to their basic operating systems so to increase the overall power and flexibility.

Culture is the water a fish swims in – A fish scans its environment to find food, reproduce and protect itself from danger. It notice everything except the water it is swimming in.

Culture is the story we tell ourselves about ourselves – Every cultural group has a story to tell who they are and what the world is like. – It is not important whether the story is true or not. What is significant is that people tell the story to show themselves and others who they are.

A sociological definition Culture is the way of life of a group of people developed over time and passed down from generation to generation

Culture is the distinctive life-way of a people united by a common language and governed by rules and models for their beliefs and behavior. In simple terms, culture is what we live everyday and what we bring with us to school or the workplace.

Why do we learn western culture?

People are curious about each other, and when they meet people from different cultures, they want to know about them: What is life like in their country? What kind of house do they live in? What kind of food they eat? What are their customs?

But the most interesting questions are often the hardest to answer. What do the people believe in? What do they value most in life? What motivates them? Why do they behave the way they do?

为什么在语言课堂上要引入文化教学 ? 美国教育家温斯顿 — 布伦姆伯格说过 :” 采 取只知语言而不懂文化的教法, 是培养语 言流利的大傻瓜的最好办法 ”. Teaching language without culture is a perfect way to educate fluent fool.

Culture learning Culture learning is the process of acquiring the culture-specific and culture-general knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for effective communication and interaction with individuals from other cultures. It is a dynamic, developmental, and ongoing process which engages the learner cognitively, behaviorally, and affectively. CARLA – Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition

Levels of cultural awareness Level InformationWay of knowingInterpretation 1 Awareness of superficial or very visible cultural traits; stereotypes Tourism, textbooks, TV and films, popular opinion Unbelievable, exotic or bizarre and possibly entertaining 2 Awareness of significant and subtle cultural traits quite different from your own Culture conflict situations Unbelievable in a frustrating way; it seems irrational 3 Awareness of significant and subtle cultural traits quite different from your own Study about the culture; formal study in school Believable but only at a thinking level 4 Awareness of how a culture feels to someone who is a member of it Getting into and living the culture Believable at an emotional level, lived experience

Students’ Course Objectives 1. To be exposed to the various Western Culture topics. 2. Compare and contrast between Chinese and Western Culture. 3. Compare and contrast between different Western Cultures.

Students’ Course Objectives 4. Critically think about the comparisons and contrasts. 5. Develop an appreciation for the differences in perspective, opinions, and cultures. 6. Develop an appreciation for the relationship between language and culture.

The Way the West Works: Understanding Western Culture and Society unit framework

Unit 1 Culture and Cross-cultural communication Main focuses: 1. Culture and Cultural awareness 2. Cross-cultural communication

Unit 2 Myth and Religion Main focuses: 1. Greek and early western mythology and its counterpart myths in China 2. The relationship between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism

Unit 3 Pop Culture Main focuses: entertainment mass media

Unit 4 Business Culture Main focuses: Commercialism Corporate culture

Assessment Percentages 10% Participation and Performance. 20% Bi-weekly quizzes ( 40 questions in total, 0.5 point for each ) 30% Presentation 40% Final Exam

Explanation of Assessment Participation and Performance (10%): Students are expected to actively participate in the classroom discussions and activities and to complete homework and in-class assignments as required.

Explanation of Assessment Bi-weekly quizzes (20%): At the start of each lecture week (every 2 weeks), students will be given a short quiz (5 questions) to check if they have completed their reading. Students are reminded that they should read materials twice to be sure that they understand.

Explanation of Assessment Presentation (30%): Students will take part in one to two group presentations. A package including all presentations scenarios will be handed out to students on the 1 st week of the course. Students are expected to read this package and choose a presentation that suits their interests. All group members will receive the same grade for their presentation. Members should prepare together, rehearse together, and present together.

Explanation of Assessment Final Exam (40%): Information for the final exam and review information will be given toward the end of the semester. The final exam will require students to combine personal experience with skills and knowledge gained form the course.