Author Archives: Dr. L. Yoder

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About Dr. L. Yoder

Dr. Yoder is Senior Lecturer in the Arts & Sciences Writing Program at Boston University, teaching writing seminars on topics such as globalization and graphic memoirs.

Consumerism & Cultural Identity

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Image by xxolgaxx from Pixabay

One of the primary themes in Jeffrey Wasserstrom‘s essay “A Mickey Mouse Approach to Globalization” is consumerism, as he argues that we consume products differently depending on cultural context and local meaning.

For this blog response, I would like you to consider the role that consumerism plays in globalization and cultural identity. Please respond to the 2 questions below:

  1. Leonard’s essay “Death by Monoculture” also deals significantly with the theme of consumerism. In what ways do Leonard and Wasserstrom assert similar vs. contrasting views (or agree vs. disagree) on the relationship between consumerism, globalization, and cultural identity? Place these two authors “in conversation” about these issues.
  2. In previous blog post responses, many of you have argued that the characters Ashoke & Ashima (from The Namesake) are demonstrating that they are absorbing American culture rather than resisting or “fighting back” (to use Gleiser’s terms), and you have based your point of view on the American cultural products that they are consuming, whether those products are food, clothing, or holiday items. Considering Wasserstrom’s argument about the “divergent local meanings of globally familiar icons” (22), do you think he would agree or disagree that the consumption of American products signals that a person (e.g., Ashima or Ashoke) is establishing an American cultural identity? Explain.

Post your response before class time on Tuesday, 4/2. Review the “Blog Response Evaluation Criteria” on BB > Assignments > Globalization HW Assignments to be sure that you are meeting the expectations of the assignment.

Gleiser, The Namesake, and Tribalism

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tribalism

Adobe Stock, “Nation”
By fberbner

In Marcelo Gleiser‘s essay “Globalization: Two Visions of the Future of Humanity,” he stresses the role that our human tribal instinct plays when we come into contact with other cultures and groups to whom we share some allegiance (our “tribes”). As Gleiser explains, “If values and traditions that have defined how you and many generations of your ancestors have lived become threatened by ‘outside’ forces, you have two choices: You either open up and absorb them to a lesser or greater extent, or you entrench and fight back. Humans have evolved in tribes and are still tribal” (9).

For this blog response, I would like you to consider Gleiser’s point of view in the quote above and in his essay overall, and then respond to the following questions:

  1. Do you agree with his logic in the quote above, or is this an “either…or fallacy”? Could you conceive of a 3rd (or 4th…) option that we have when confronted with an “outside force” (any culture/group different from our own)? If so, what would that other option be?
  2. So far in your reading of chapters 1-5 of The Namesake, do you find that Ashima and Ashoke, as first-generation immigrants to America, are primarily “[absorbing]” American culture or “[entrenching] and [fighting] back”? How/why? (what makes you say this, based on what you’ve read in the book? Refer to at least one specific example.)

Post your response before class time on Thursday, 3/28. Review the “Blog Response Evaluation Criteria” on BB > Assignments > Globalization HW Assignments to be sure that you are meeting the expectations of the assignment.

Communication & Assimilation

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FlagSilhouettesIn his essay “Death by Monoculture,” Stephen Pax Leonard discusses the devastating impact that consumerism and globalization are having on linguistic diversity around the world. According to Leonard, technology and varying forms of communication play a significant role in the disappearance of minority languages and cultures.

For this blog response, I would like you to think about chapters 1 and 2 of The Namesake, paying particular attention to the themes of communication and language. Consider how Ashima and Ashoke communicate with one another (the language they use or don’t use, etc.), how they communicate with people in American society (while in the hospital, their comfort with English, American communication standards, etc.), and how they communicate with family members back home in India. Then, respond to the following questions in your post, forming a coherent paragraph:

  1. In what ways does the role of communication in these first two chapters of The Namesake (particularly in chapter 2) reveal Ashima and/or Ashoke’s assimilation into American society or, conversely, their resistance to assimilate?
  2. Overall, do you agree with Leonard that globalization and consumerism are threatening minority languages and cultures? And, if so, do you agree that, as global citizens, we should fight to save minority languages/cultures? Why or why not?

Post your response before class time on Thursday, 3/21. Review the “Blog Response Evaluation Criteria” on BB > Assignments > Globalization HW Assignments to be sure that you are meeting the expectations of the assignment.

Global Citizenship

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The theme for Unit 2 of our course is Global Citizenship, and you are also receiving Hub credit for Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. On Tuesday, we will discuss the concept of global citizenship in more detail in relation to the Globalization essays that we’ve read so far in class. For Tuesday, watch this short YouTube video, which discusses multiple perspectives on what it means to be a global citizen: 

Once you have finished watching the video, respond to the following questions in the “Leave a Reply” box below:

  1. What does the term “Global Citizen” (or “Global Citizenship”) mean to you? Whose view(s) in the video do you most agree with and why?
  2. In your response, also make a connection with at least one of the Globalization essays we’ve read so far — perhaps there’s an example of a global citizen in the essay, or perhaps someone in the essay offers another view (whether directly or indirectly) on global citizenship, or perhaps the author discusses a similar theme or issue that you discuss in your own definition of the term. 

Refer to the “Blog Response Evaluation Criteria” handout distributed in class (also available on BB > Assignments > Globalization HW Assignments) for guidelines and expectations in your response. When responding, make sure to identify yourself with your full name so that readers know whose words they’re reading and so that I can grant you credit for engaging in the conversation! 

Note: This video was published to YouTube in 2015 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and features participants in the Second UNESCO Forum on Global Citizenship Education. For more information on UNESCO, click here.

Cultural Gains and Losses

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Falafel_King_Denver

User: Stilfehler at wikivoyage shared [CC BY-SA 1.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0)%5D

In Tanveer Ali‘s essay “The Subway Falafel Sandwich and the Americanization of Ethnic Food,” he acknowledges advantages and disadvantages of mass-producing the food of a particular culture so that it can enter into the American mainstream. Overall, do you believe that the advantages (gains) outweigh the disadvantages (losses) when a culture’s cuisine becomes Americanized, or vice versa? And why? Are the sacrifices too great, or does the opportunity for cultural exposure and integration outweigh the sacrifices? In your response, you are encouraged to consider any foods from your home country or from other cultures that have become a part of American mainstream cuisine.

*Additional note: I also encourage you to read this opinion piece in The Washington Post, which argues that the term “ethnic food” is offensive and should be dropped. You are welcome to respond to this claim in your blog response as well!

Respond to this post before class time on Thursday, 2/7. Refer to the Blog Response Evaluation Criteria handout (BB > Assignments > Globalization HW Assignments) to review expectations for your response.

Welcome to Our Class Blog!

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cafelaptopHello, WR112 L2 students!

This semester, we will be using this course blog to expand our in-class discussions about the readings and to consider multiple perspectives on globalization through various media. Whenever you see words that are bolded and in a different color (<-like that!), it means that you can click on those words to link over to a related online resource (an online article, video, etc. — go ahead and click on the link in the previous sentence!). This blog will also provide us with unique opportunities to acknowledge and respond to one another’s points of view using the helpful templates from They Say / I Say (e.g., I agree with your point that ____, but I disagree with your view on ____ because ____). This will be a practical and logical supplement to our in-class discussions, and it will allow you the chance to engage with your classmates in meaningful ways outside of the classroom.

When I assign you a blog response (asking you to comment on something that I have posted), I intend for you to offer a thoughtful reply to whatever topic and/or question I raise so that you are entering into the conversation and sharing your own point of view. Please refer to the “Blog Response Evaluation Criteria” handout posted to Blackboard > Handouts > Unit 1 for specific guidance on expectations for your blog responses, and do not hesitate to get in touch with me in class or via email if you have any questions.

I look forward to learning more about your perspectives on the important themes and issues raised in our readings!

Sincerely,

Dr. Yoder