World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction

Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations. The United Nations currently recognizes about 191 countries.

A more useful way of categorizing the world’s people is to do so by ethnic groups, or by “culture”.

A more useful way of categorizing the world’s people is to do so by ethnic groups, or by “culture”. Each of those terms is often hard to define, but both terms refer to a group of people who are united by some common traits, often including race, language, geography, customs and religious beliefs.

For reasons we will learn later in the course, thinking in terms of “countries” or “nation states” works best for Western Europe, and less well for Africa, Asia, the Middle East -- basically, most of the places from which we will be reading literature. Therefore, in this class, we are going to look at the world primarily in terms of “cultures” and “ethnic groups.”

As we read, we will encounter some cultural practices, words, and beliefs which will be familiar to us,and others which may seem quite strange. As student, we will learn best when we approach other cultures through a respectful, humble, multicultural mindset.

A multicultural mindset? What does that mean?

Note: The next seven slides are from “Understanding Multiculturalism: Cultures and Values” by Jill Kerper Mora, ED, San Diego State University, 1998

CULTURAL PLURALISM

“Your” culture, whatever “your” culture is, is just one culture of many. Instead of asking “Why are **THEY** different?”, try asking, “Why am **I** different?”

So to summarize, a multicultural mindset assumes : 1.That there are many, many different ways in which humans construct societies and values. 2.That no one way - especially not our way - is inherently “more natural” or “better.” 3.That we cannot judge other cultures by our own standards. What might seem “weird” to us might make perfect sense to another culture. In fact, who is “us”, anyway? There are several cultures represented in this room alone! (and many more throughout the USA)

Wait, does this mean we’re going to be using “political correctness?”

Not really. The goal of a multicultural mindset isn’t to limit free speech. But it does mean we speak with respect and humility.

We have to realize we don’t know everything, or even a lot, about many cultures.

Not really. The goal of a multicultural mindset isn’t to limit free speech. But it does mean we speak with respect and humility. We have to realize we don’t know everything, or even a lot, about many cultures. This means refraining from making fun of names or customs that seem odd or different.

Not really. The goal of a multicultural mindset isn’t to limit free speech. But it does mean we speak with respect and humility. We have to realize we don’t know everything, or even a lot, about many cultures. This means refraining from making fun of names or customs that seem odd or different. It means having an open mind and resisting the urge to make assumptions.

Not really. The goal of a multicultural mindset isn’t to limit free speech. But it does mean we speak with respect and humility. We have to realize we don’t know everything, or even a lot, about many cultures. This means refraining from making fun of names or customs that seem odd or different. It means having an open mind and resisting the urge to make assumptions. It means being brave and adventurous - trying new foods, seeing movies with subtitles, trying to pronounce strange words.

Not really. The goal of a multicultural mindset isn’t to limit free speech. But it does mean we speak with respect and humility. We have to realize we don’t know everything, or even a lot, about many cultures. This means refraining from making fun of names or customs that seem odd or different. It means having an open mind and resisting the urge to make assumptions. It means being brave and adventurous - trying new foods, seeing movies with subtitles, trying to pronounce strange words. It means a lot of speaking, actually - speaking used to ask questions.

Never be afraid to ask a question in this class. Nothing is off-limits. Just ask your question respectfully. We’re all on uncertain ground here - students and teacher alike. So let’s all learn together, guided by the principles of a multicultural mindset. Now do you have a sense of what a multicultural mindset means?

IT MEANS WE’RE IN FOR EXPLORATION AND FUN! (Fun? In English class? Sssh, don’t tell anyone!)