Course Objectives To be exposed to the various Western Culture topics. Compare and contrast between Chinese and Western Culture. Compare and contrast between different Western Cultures. Critically think about the comparisons and contrasts. Develop an appreciation for the differences in perspective, opinions, and cultures. Develop an appreciation for the relationship between language and culture.

Part 1: A Look at Cultural Awareness

Clothing from Ghana These men are members of the Akan people of Ghana. Their clothing is ceremonial, as are the linguist staffs they carry. They are probably preparing to dance in a funeral ritual; red is one of the colors of mourning in

What is Culture?  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. Culture is the root, the stem and the branch, while civilization is the branch, the leaf and the blossom. -Nelson Brooks

What does Culture include?  beliefs, behavior, language, Art, rituals, style of dress, cooking, religion, political and economic systems… Culture is the root, the stem and the branch, while civilization is the branch, the leaf and the blossom. -Nelson Brooks

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.

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

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.

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 20% Participation and Performance. 20% Quizzes ( 40 questions in total, 0.5 point for each ) 20% Presentation 40% Final Exam

Explanation of Assessment Participation and Performance (20%): Students are expected to actively participate in the classroom discussions and activities and to complete in-class assignments as required.

Explanation of Assessment Quizzes (20%): At the end of each unit (every 4 weeks), students will be given a short quiz (5 questions) to check if they have completed their reading.

Explanation of Assessment Presentation (20%): Students will take part in one to two group presentations which last no more than 15 minutes. 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.