Monday, 18 November 2013

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.

Friday, 8 November 2013

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 driverTodd asks him to stop but he replies by saying no problem
Individualism
ToddTodd is an independent businessman 
Collectivism
PuroHe works with collegues and lives with family
Low power distance
ToddTodd calls his boss Dave
High power distance
PuroPuro bows before Todd
Uncertainty tolerance
ToddTodd goes to India for work
Uncertainty avoidance
AishaShe does not want to leave India
Task orientation
DaveHe tells Todd that he wants him in his office now
Social orientation
PuroHis 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.
 

Thursday, 7 November 2013

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.

Sunday, 6 October 2013

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.


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.