Category Archives: Unit 2

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.