Welcome to Language and Cross-cultural Understanding. In this course we will consider the relationship between language and culture by examining a number of themes ranging from symbols to language and its uses as well as the uses and influences of language and culture in the Internet Age. Classes will include lectures and work in groups, and students are expected to actively (and proactively) participate.
(December 2013) Here, good people, is the list of articles that we looked at in class on December 3rd. Your final project may use one or more of these, but you certainly do not have to do so. If you would like to use one of those articles, please send me an email.
Class #1 - Course Introduction (October 11)
Introduction, class outline; assign introductory essay
Hobsbawm (1996) on "Language, culture, and national identity"
As promised in class, here is the language worksheet from class. (No, you will not need to hand this in, but please do come to class prepared to discuss it.)
Some extra (and very optional) reading on a long-running debate: Kay & Kempton, 1984
Class #2 - Groups, Large and Small (October 18)
Holliday (1999) on "Small cultures"
Class #3 - Stereotypes (October 25)
Class #4 - Myths and Stereotypes (November 1)
Walter Fleming offers some insights into myths and stereotypes about Native Americans. As you'll see, he is employed at Montana State University (in my home state), which has seven Indian reservations.
Here is the worksheet on the Fleming article.
As you'll recall from class, I'd like you to keep a reading reaction journal. Here you'll find the guidelines as well as a couple examlples (example #1 and example #2).
Class #5 - (November 12)
Class #6 - Baseball in Meiji Japan (November 19)
A fascinating article about the early history of baseball in Japan, Roden's 1980 manuscript not only addresses baseball but also a host of identity and perception issues. In particular, pages 511-520 outline the early and chaotic progress as baseball gained a foothold in Japan. The following pages then trace the trouncing that the American teams received at the hands of the Ichiko squad (and the images in the article are fascinating!).
Here is the worksheet on the Meiji Era baseball article.
Class #7 - McDonaldization, Part 1 (November 26)
On the history of semiotics (Mick, 2006)
Class #8 - McDonalization, Part 2 (December 3)
(December 2013) Here, good people, is the list of articles that we looked at in class on December 3rd. Your final project may use one or more of these, but you certainly do not have to do so. If you would like to use one of those articles, please send me an email.
Class #9 - Symbols (December 10)
A thought-provoking article by Ann Swidler (1986) titled "Culture in Action: Symbols and Strategies." As you'll recall from class, you have some homework related to this article: questions on Swidler (1986).
A symbolic sidelight: Collecting something that all countries have in common. Here is Mr. Simpson's website.
A human manifestation ... the "hero"
From American history, we find this classic film ...
Class #9 - Canons and (Other) Dangerous Things (December 6)
Let us forge onward, my good people. A gentleman by the name of Christopher Booker suggested that all of our fiction derives from seven (and only seven) basic plots ... so let us begin with a worksheet on how many types of fiction we might find.
Class #9 - To Light a Fire (Metaphorically) (December 6)
To be announced soon.
Class #10 - Rights and Responsibilities (December 13)
To be announced soon.
Class #11 - Free Speech (December 20)
To be announced soon.
Class #12 - Uses and Abuses of Speech (January 10)
To be announced soon.
Class #13 - Uses and Abuses of Speech (January 17)
To be announced soon.
Class #14 - Rights and Responsibilities (December 13)
To be announced soon.
Class #15 - Final exam (January 31)
To be announced soon.
Writing
As you know from class, I require polite email. Recall, too, that if you send me a file, the filename has a certain form.
Here's an example of the report style that you should use.
Introductions
Conclusions