World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of...

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World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction

Transcript of World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of...

Page 1: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

World LiteratureMr. Nurenberg

Introduction

Page 2: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

The United Nations currently recognizes about 191 countries.

Page 3: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

A more useful way of categorizing the world’s people is to do so by ethnic groups, or by “culture”.

Page 4: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

A more useful way of categorizing the world’s people is to do so by ethnic groups, or by “culture”.

Each of those terms is often hard to define, but both terms refer to a group of people who are united by some common traits, often including race, language, geography, customs and religious beliefs.

Page 5: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

For reasons we will learn later in the course, thinking in terms of “countries” or “nation states” works best for Western Europe, and less well for Africa, Asia, the Middle East -- basically, most of the places from which we will be reading literature.

Therefore, in this class, we are going to look at the world primarily in terms of “cultures” and “ethnic groups.”

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As we read, we will encounter some cultural practices, words, and beliefs which will be familiar to us,and others which may seem quite strange.

As student, we will learn best when we approach other cultures through a respectful, humble, multicultural mindset.

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A multicultural mindset? What does that mean?

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Page 8: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

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Note: The next seven slides are from “Understanding Multiculturalism: Cultures and Values” by Jill Kerper Mora, ED, San Diego State University, 1998

Page 9: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

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Page 11: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

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CULTURAL PLURALISM

Page 12: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

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Page 13: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

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CULTURAL PLURALISM

Page 14: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

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Page 16: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

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“Your” culture, whatever “your” culture is, is just one culture of many.

Instead of asking “Why are **THEY** different?”, try asking, “Why am **I** different?”

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Page 17: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

So to summarize, a multicultural mindset assumes:

1. That there are many, many different ways in which humans construct societies and values.

2. That no one way - especially not our way - is inherently “more natural” or “better.”

3. That we cannot judge other cultures by our own standards. What might seem “weird” to us might make perfect sense to another culture.

In fact, who is “us”, anyway? There are several cultures represented in this room alone! (and many more throughout the USA)

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Wait, does this mean we’re going to be using “political correctness?”

Page 19: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

Not really. The goal of a multicultural mindset isn’t to limit free speech. But it does mean we speak with respect and humility.

Page 20: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

Not really. The goal of a multicultural mindset isn’t to limit free speech. But it does mean we speak with respect and humility.

•We have to realize we don’t know everything, or even a lot, about many cultures.

Page 21: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

Not really. The goal of a multicultural mindset isn’t to limit free speech. But it does mean we speak with respect and humility.

•We have to realize we don’t know everything, or even a lot, about many cultures.

•This means refraining from making fun of names or customs that seem odd or different.

Page 22: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

Not really. The goal of a multicultural mindset isn’t to limit free speech. But it does mean we speak with respect and humility.

•We have to realize we don’t know everything, or even a lot, about many cultures.

•This means refraining from making fun of names or customs that seem odd or different.

•It means having an open mind and resisting the urge to make assumptions.

Page 23: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

Not really. The goal of a multicultural mindset isn’t to limit free speech. But it does mean we speak with respect and humility.

•We have to realize we don’t know everything, or even a lot, about many cultures.

•This means refraining from making fun of names or customs that seem odd or different.

•It means having an open mind and resisting the urge to make assumptions.

•It means being brave and adventurous - trying new foods, seeing movies with subtitles, trying to pronounce strange words.

Page 24: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

Not really. The goal of a multicultural mindset isn’t to limit free speech. But it does mean we speak with respect and humility.

•We have to realize we don’t know everything, or even a lot, about many cultures.

•This means refraining from making fun of names or customs that seem odd or different.

•It means having an open mind and resisting the urge to make assumptions.

•It means being brave and adventurous - trying new foods, seeing movies with subtitles, trying to pronounce strange words.

•It means a lot of speaking, actually - speaking used to ask questions.

Page 25: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

Never be afraid to ask a question in this class. Nothing is off-limits. Just ask your question respectfully.

We’re all on uncertain ground here - students and teacher alike. So let’s all learn together, guided by the principles of a multicultural mindset.

Now do you have a sense of what a multicultural mindset means?

Page 26: World Literature Mr. Nurenberg Introduction. Most of us in the United States are used to thinking of the world as being divided into countries or nations.

IT MEANS WE’RE IN FOR EXPLORATION AND FUN!

(Fun? In English class? Sssh, don’t tell anyone!)

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