Final Individual Cultural Diversity Course Reflection #4

All cultures differ from one another in many ways and they have different traditions and values. People of diverse cultures have unique properties such as ideas, customs, and social behavior.They may also have facial features and skin color different than each other. They all have their own days of celebration for their historical past.

I have to say that the first class I have enjoyed most out of the three was the Emerati Film. It was very interesting finding out about other cultures and of our own Emerati culture by going around the tourist village and asking tourists questions about their cultures and how different our culture is from their culture. I have noticed that people of different cultures have ideas and social behavior different than that of my culture. The second class I enjoyed most was when we had watched the blue eyes and brown eyes racism experiment. I was very surprised at how third grade kids were judging other people by their skin color and eye color and that they wont get anything in this world due to their appearances. The third best class was about slavery. It shocked me that there are more slaves working nowadays than any time in the past and I also learned that there were slaves working to obtain most of our household products.This subject made me more aware of how people are being mistreated around the world even today.

Students should learn about cultural diversity so they could learn about other cultures and not just their own. They should learn about cultural diversity at an early age while their minds are still developing and this method is obligatory because if they grow up not knowing about the other cultures they might end up ethnocentric and they would not care and respect people of other cultures.

I think that it would be a great idea if the U.A.E government had decided have a Harmony day. The U.A.E is culturally diverse and has many foreigners of different nations in it. If there were to be a Harmony day people of diverse cultures in the U.A.E would have a change to unite as one and respect and care for each other. A good idea for it to be celebrated is if everyone gets to bring in their own traditions such as food and share them with others and by representing their nation's flags by putting them on display. People should communicate with each other and share their values and beliefs so they could become close to one another and know each other better.

I have learned learned many topics during this cultural diversity course. I have learned about what different cultures value and I respect every culture. We might look different from the outside but from the inside we are all human beings and we should unite in tranquility.

Final Presentation First Two Powerpoint Slides

Blog Exercise 10A

I am shocked that slaves still do exist in almost every continent in the world and have increased significantly in number since the past. This is so because humans have no choice but to survive in other countries due to their country being poor and therefore go to extremes to leave their countries either through migrating as residents looking for a better life. 

Unfortunately I remorseful when I watched today's video in how human beings have been treated in terms of the accommodation that was provided to them, being mislead by their country's recruitment agency (by promising them a higher salary) and after all this not even receiving their hard earned salary.

In my opinion I think that the main entities that can fix the above mentioned issues are the two governments (The Indian and Qatari governments). For example, Qatar can set conditions in which accommodation is as per international standards and to insure that the law is implemented in terms of employees/laborers receive their salary on a monthly basis. As for India the government should set a penalty to all the recruitment agencies that practice scam.

I have finished the survey and it shows that 45 slaves that work for me.

Exercise #8b: part two Reflection

Describe your own cultural dimensions as an Emirati as related in the Outsourced documents. Give examples of how you would/ should use them for good communication at work, school, or in public  (100 -200 words).

Exercise #8b part 2:

Cultural Dimensions in Outsourced

As you watch the film, answer the questions and write down any examples of different cultural`dimensions. This will help you with your reflection.

Cultural Dimension	Character Todd, Puro, Aisha or other	Outsourced Scene or Circumstance
Low-context culture	Todd	Direct communication
High-context culture	Taxi driver	Todd asks him to stop but he replies by saying no problem
Individualism	Todd	Todd is an independent businessman
Collectivism	Puro	He works with collegues and lives with family
Low power distance	Todd	Todd calls his boss Dave
High power distance	Puro	Puro bows before Todd
Uncertainty tolerance	Todd	Todd goes to India for work
Uncertainty avoidance	Aisha	She does not want to leave India
Task orientation	Dave	He tells Todd that he wants him in his office now
Social orientation	Puro	His co workers bring a cow into the call center

Exercise #8a - Outsourced: Cultural dimensions

Below is a brief explanation of the cultural dimensions:-  

·                  Low-context and high-context culture

Western Culture and Middle Eastern Culture

·         Individualism and collectivism

People work for their own families and receive their own salaries. The Emerati culture consists of tribes which work together.

• ·         Low power distance and high power distance
•  An example of low power distance would be how laborers work and are also close to their employers. An example of high power distance would be how people respect and fear others who are high class.
• ·         Uncertainty tolerance and uncertainty avoidance
• Around the globe many expatriates are westerners who are oblivious to where they work but have a high uncertainty tolerance. Middle Easterns on the other hand prefer to stay in their own environment and not mingle with outside societies.
•  ·         Task orientation and social orientation
• Westerners have high task orientation and are quite exact on what they say. Middle Easterns tend to be more flexible and understand each other.

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

One Example?:

Portfolio exercise #6

Adverse Reactions to Diversity 

Course:      Cultural Diversity                                  Code:  LSSS N205

Name: Yousef Keogh                             ID# H00279267                                     

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

1.      Define:

a.       Stereotyping

Stereotyping is the act of judging a person or group of people because of the actions or behaviors of others that are similar.

Example: Jews are cheap

b.      Prejudice

An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts

Example: Someone who assumes black people are theifs

c.       Bias

Having a preference for something or against based on feelings and not knowledge

Example: Communists who live in an Individualist society and judge by what their perception

d.      Discrimination

the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.

Example: All arabs are terrorists

2.      Give an example of each.

Watch  Class Divided

ü Understanding

With partners, answer the following:

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

fr1950, grade 3 primary school 

2.      Describe the experiment.

TA woman told the kids that children with blue eyes were superior to kids with brown eyes and the next day she had said that kids with brown eyes were superior to children with blue eyes

3.      What were the results?

TThe experiment had significant results and they thought they were out of the group

4.      How successful do you believe it was?

I I believe it was very successful and the teacher was very shocked with what the little children had become

Going Deeper - Extra

In groups of four, discuss the following:

Ø  a time she or he experienced prejudice or discrimination

I have been discriminated against plenty of times. One time was when I had been in primary school and the kids used to mock me because of my skin color.

Ø  a time she or he discriminated against somebody else

I used to discriminate against Indian labourers.

Ø  a time she or he witnessed discrimination and did nothing about it

I saw a couple of people mocking a driver because he was Indian but I kept myself out of it.

Ø  a time she or he witnessed discrimination and did something about it

I had a Pakistani friend back in high school grade 9 and there were classmates who used to make fun of him because of his nationality and one day they started to bully him which later on escalated into a fight. I intervened and protected him.
 

5. Student Video sample Portfolio Exercise #4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBae3q8Zd9c

Individual Reflection

I have learned that there are a variety of people of different nationalities with different cultures in the U.A.E who haven't really noticed the actual Emerati culture. I have also become more familiar with different cultures and how each and every culture is unique for their quantities. I have also learned that the U.A.E has a multi cultural society that accepts people with different religions and values. An example of this would be how there are churches next to mosques yet people are still living in perfect harmony. I learned that the U.A.E has gone through a lot of changes since it was first established. It has grown greatly in economy and what used to be a desert is now a city.

4. Your Emirati Film - Marking Rubric

Artifacts, Emirati Cultural Heritage and Identity

Definition :

Cultural artifact, anything created by humans which gives information about the culture of its creator and users

Part 1

1.     Do you know what the artifacts in the PowerPoint were used for?

The artifacts were used to show Emirati cultural heritage and identity.

2.     Which countries or ethnic groups are they from?

They are mostly from the Emirati cultural heritage. 

3.     Watch the PowerPoint and note down your favourite artifact.

	What is it?	What is it used for?	Where is it from?
a	Coffee Pot and Cups	These items are used to help make people feel comfortable in another person's house.	Abu Dhabi's Cultural Foundation
b	The Holy Quran	It is used to recite holy prayers of Islam.	Abu Dhabi's Cultural Foundation
c	Softstone Incense Burner	It was used to burn incense in the Iron Age date.	Sharjah
d	Gold Pendant	It is used as jewellery.	Sharjah
e	Bronze Spearhead	It was used to craft spears.	Wadi 'Asimah
f	Flint Arrowhead	It is used to make arrows.	Marawah
g	Early Islamic Silver Coin	It was used to exchange goods or items.	Ra's al-Khaimah

Part 2

What does the coffee pot symbolize in Emirati culture?

It symbolizes hospitality and generosity between Emirati people.

_________________________________

Take a look at some of the Emirati artifacts in this virtual museum.

http://www.uaeinteract.com/VIRTUAL_MUSEUM/museum_index.html

What Emirati artifacts would you choose to explain your culture to a visitor to the UAE?

1. Coffee Pot

2. The Holy Quran

3. Pearl-diver's Equipment

4. Commemorative Coin

5. Falconry Equipment

Do you have many Emirati artifacts in your home?

I have a few such as the Coffee Pot, Falconry Equipment, and The Holy Quran.

Have you retained many of the old Emirati traditions in your family?

Yes I have retained some of the traditions.

Can you explain what makes Emirati culture unique in the world?

The old Emirati way of living includes hunting using animals such as the saluki or a falcon to hunt other animals that are edible. The Emiratis would dive for pearls and the merchants would sell them. 

Quiz 2 – What are Multiculturalism, Assimilation and Acculturation?

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

1.       A Multicultural society can be described as a society with a single set of values. False
2.       A “salad bowl” represents varied and separate cultures. True
3.       One aspect of Multiculturalism is respecting different cultures. True
4.       Cultural Diversity can be represented by a “melting pot” False
5.       Acculturation means learning the culture of your birth country. False



Define in your own words:

1.       “Melting Pot”
 A homogeneous mixture of various cultures that have blended with the larger society.

2.       “Salad Bowl”
A mix of cultures that haven't lost their tradition and are visible amongst the others.

3.       “Assimilation”
People of different cultures tend to see each other as part of the larger society.

4.       “Acculturation”
When a group shares beliefs and behaviours of another group.

5.       “Enculturation”
People adapt and learn the behaviour and values of the society.

Complete the sentence with words from the text:

Acculturation often results in changes to culture , customs and social institutions, as well as changes in food, clothing and language.

Give a synonym:

varied Different respect Honor dominate Control
multiple Numerous central Main interacting Communicate
specific Precise represents Symbolize adopt Take Up



Give the opposite:

varied Similar respect Disrespect gradually Suddenly
multiple Single common Uncommon dominant group Inferior group
specific contrasted with Agree with adopt Reject


Culture and Personality in Anthropology



Read the section about Culture and Personality in Anthropology. Answer these questions about that section:-

1.       Define “Anthropology” in your own words
It is the study of humans and everything associated with them.

2.       What do you understand by “socialization of children” Give an example
They do not feel comfortable while away from family. Parents to be exact because they take care of their child and give the child unconditional love.

3.       Read this sentence again and give examples of childrearing in different societies and cultures: “socialization creates personality patterns. It helps shape people’s emotions, thoughts, behaviours, cultural values and norms to fit into and function as productive members in the surrounding human society. The study of culture and personality demonstrates that different socialization practices such as childrearing in different societies (cultures) result in different personality types.”

In some countries children would be raised in a hostile environment. That way they would adapt to the environment they live in and be independent. An example would be African children and how they leave their family and go into the wild in search of food or water.

4.       Read this sentence again and say to what extent you agree: “all humans are the same when born, but childrearing in different societies causes deviations in behaviour and personalities from each other.”

A child born and raised in an undeveloped country would suffer from disadvantages which would not be experienced by a child born in a wealthier country. These disadvantages exist from birth e.g. poor nutrition, contaminated water, poor health services, inadequate educational opportunities, etc.

5.       Reflect on the reading above. Can you see a link between your culture and your personality? Think about that in relation to your own culture first, and then think about personality and culture in a different society. Reflect. Give examples.

Because I was born and reared in an affluent society, I have not experienced the hardships which people in poorer societies have experienced from an early age. So I might not be able to cope with adversity as well as someone who has had to struggle from childhood simply to survive.

Quiz 1

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
3. One aspect of Human Rights is respecting different cultures. True
4. Cultural Diversity means a lack of respect for freedom of thought. False
5. Cultural Diversity can make a society stronger. True


Vocabulary practise. Define in your own words:

1. Heterogeneous
Different.

2. Plurality
Large number of people.

3. Migration
People or animals that move from one area to another.

4. Fundamental
Basic principle.

5. Collective strength
Strength of the group working together.

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?

Clothing, Religion, Language, Traditions, and Values.


2. Name three ways in which people of different cultures can help a country to function in the new global economy.
A culturally diverse country would have people communicate and learn new things from each other.


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

A melting pot would resemble a mixing of cultures similar to a homogenous mixture. Garden Salad would resemble a society of cultures that are segregated or heterogenous.


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”.
Asian(Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, other) 6.8%, Blacks 3.4%, Chinese 0.7%, Arab 0.4%, 2.2% mixed race.


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 summarise them in your own words.

The administration of The University of Melbourne has made these rules to refrain from discrimination between culturally diverse students.

Some of the policies include:

Communicating in the same language (English)

No Stereotyping

No Racism

Vocabulary practise. Give the opposite:

Varied Identical Increasingly Decreasingly Respecting Disrespecting
Strength Weakness Improving   Downgrading   Inclusive  Exclusive
Majority Minority Tolerance Intolerance Equality Difference


Vocabulary practise. Give a synonym:

Diverse Distinct Creative Inventive Uniqueness Differentness
Dignity Respectability Integrated Unified Asset Service
Global International Benefit Advantage

Introduction to Diversity – Portfolio exercise #1

Think!
⦁ Who lives in the UAE?
Many Culturally Diverse people and Emiratis live in the U.A.E.

⦁ How many Emiratis are there?
Approximately 1,200,000.

⦁ What other nationalities and culturally diverse groups are there?
There are many nationalities and culturally diverse groups such as Asians, Europeans, Ameicans, and more.

⦁ Do you know any population statistics? (For the UAE, for the separate Emirates?)
Total of 4,967,142 in the U.A.E,
1,548,655 in Abu Dhabi,
372,923 in Ajman,
1,770,533 in Dubai,
137,940 in Fujairah,
171,903 in Ras al Khaimah,
895,252 in Sharjah,
69,936 in Umm al Quwain.

Task 1
With a partner, research on the internet to find information about UAE demographics.
Nationality Percentage/Number Year Source
Bangladeshi 600,000 2006 Wikipedia
Afghans 300,000 2005 Wikipedia
Emiratis 13% 2010 Wikipedia
Canadians 12,000 2007 Wikipedia
Kenyans 36,000 2010 Wikipedia
Malaysians 6,000 2010 Wikipedia

Religions Percentage Year Source
Muslim 25% 2013 Wikipedia
Christian 15% 2013 Wikipedia
Hindu 10% 2013 Wikipedia
Buddhist 5% 2013 Wikipedia


Do the results surprise you?
Comments? Conclusions?
No because the U.A.E is a culturally diverse country and is expected to have different nationalities in it.

Task 2
Give examples of cultural diversity in Abu Dhabi (Places of worship, organizations, etc.)
There are many labour camps with Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis. Even though the U.A.E is a Muslim country there are churches and other places of worhsip for different religions.

Video Introduction

This is a test blog