1.See how does a different culture from a country other than mine thinks about the U.S
2.Set differences between the student’s experience comparing to mine
3.To learn from different points of view
4.Learn some aspects of other culture
5.Understand a bit of the interviewee’s country’s history
6.Understand what made him leave his whole life back home in order to live in a different country?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Review of the movie “The Killing Fields”
The British movie “The Killing Fields” written by Bruce Robinson and direct by Roland Joffe was shot in 1984 in Cambodia. The main point of the movie was to show what took place in that country along the 70’s since the neighbor Vietnam gave start to a war, which surely impacted the Cambodian borders.
The story starts in the year of 1973, when the American journalist Sidney Schanberg (Sam Waterston) arrives at the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. Schanberg meets his guide and interpreter, the Cambodian journalist Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor). The capital is invaded by the communist party Khmer Rouge. Schanberg is able to provide the evacuation of Pran’s family to the U.S. Pran, however, insists on remaining on the country in order to help Schanberg capturing the truth of what was going on over there, in contrast to the made-up versions the International media provided to the world. Upon being capture by the Khmer rouge and later on released, Pran, Schanberg, and other non-Cambodian citizens seek for shelter at the French Embassy. The KR, though, requests the Cambodian citizens to be kept under their power. Pran tries unsuccessfully to flee the country with a fake British Passport, as his picture fades away. He is, then, handed to the KR and starts living under a tyrannical slave regime.
Schanberg goes back to New York City, where he is awarded by his reporting on the Cambodian conflict. He also contacts several humanitarian groups to help him with his movement to find Pran. He is even accused of being responsible for making Pran stay in Cambodia so he could gain recognition. Pran, on the other hand, becomes a slave for the KR at the rice fields. He tries escaping but he is captured. Later on, he is helped by a man called Phat, who he works for and takes care of his son. Pran, together with other four people, try to escape. Eventually, after being split away from the others, he sees a Red Cross Camp across the mountains. In the U.S, Pran’s family is informed that he is alive. Schanberg goes back to Cambodia after four years and ends the story reencountering his friend Pran.
Along the story, it is evident that the journalists have more status and more voice and resources than the majority of the Cambodian citizens. This is what happens between Pran and Schanberg. Serving as a guide and interpreter, Pran seems to see a better future following and helping Schanberg. Although both are journalists, there is a hierarchy where the American one looks more respectable and also the one who take the major decisions. This becomes clear when Pran becomes unable to flee the country due to his ethnicity and especially during his hard time of humiliation on the rice fields. He uses, though, his intelligence and knowledge to escape that area.
Personally, the production really catches the attention when showing scenes like the dead bodies along the river, or even the inclusion of children as soldiers of the KR. It is an interesting movie because it talks about a real part of history. Moreover, it exposes the cruel regime which the citizens of that nation were submitted to, as well as an important part of world history, such as the consequences of the War in Vietnam. It also shows the role of the U.S government regarding to how the media was meant to publicize information about the war in Southeast Asia.
Yet, the movie sets a curious connection with the development of international media. This is supported by the fact that many of the true incidents were either modified or omitted. The result was that, truly, what was being said on the news has been manipulated by the media. This becomes clear when Schanberg watches President Nixon on national TV, talking about Cambodia and showing images of a violent country, where people are brutally killed. In reality, Schanberg knew that nation was more and better than that, he has witnessed a Cambodia that did not match the one shown on the media. Nonetheless, I would recommend the movie for those who would like to see the conflicts in Asia from another angle.
The story starts in the year of 1973, when the American journalist Sidney Schanberg (Sam Waterston) arrives at the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. Schanberg meets his guide and interpreter, the Cambodian journalist Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor). The capital is invaded by the communist party Khmer Rouge. Schanberg is able to provide the evacuation of Pran’s family to the U.S. Pran, however, insists on remaining on the country in order to help Schanberg capturing the truth of what was going on over there, in contrast to the made-up versions the International media provided to the world. Upon being capture by the Khmer rouge and later on released, Pran, Schanberg, and other non-Cambodian citizens seek for shelter at the French Embassy. The KR, though, requests the Cambodian citizens to be kept under their power. Pran tries unsuccessfully to flee the country with a fake British Passport, as his picture fades away. He is, then, handed to the KR and starts living under a tyrannical slave regime.
Schanberg goes back to New York City, where he is awarded by his reporting on the Cambodian conflict. He also contacts several humanitarian groups to help him with his movement to find Pran. He is even accused of being responsible for making Pran stay in Cambodia so he could gain recognition. Pran, on the other hand, becomes a slave for the KR at the rice fields. He tries escaping but he is captured. Later on, he is helped by a man called Phat, who he works for and takes care of his son. Pran, together with other four people, try to escape. Eventually, after being split away from the others, he sees a Red Cross Camp across the mountains. In the U.S, Pran’s family is informed that he is alive. Schanberg goes back to Cambodia after four years and ends the story reencountering his friend Pran.
Along the story, it is evident that the journalists have more status and more voice and resources than the majority of the Cambodian citizens. This is what happens between Pran and Schanberg. Serving as a guide and interpreter, Pran seems to see a better future following and helping Schanberg. Although both are journalists, there is a hierarchy where the American one looks more respectable and also the one who take the major decisions. This becomes clear when Pran becomes unable to flee the country due to his ethnicity and especially during his hard time of humiliation on the rice fields. He uses, though, his intelligence and knowledge to escape that area.
Personally, the production really catches the attention when showing scenes like the dead bodies along the river, or even the inclusion of children as soldiers of the KR. It is an interesting movie because it talks about a real part of history. Moreover, it exposes the cruel regime which the citizens of that nation were submitted to, as well as an important part of world history, such as the consequences of the War in Vietnam. It also shows the role of the U.S government regarding to how the media was meant to publicize information about the war in Southeast Asia.
Yet, the movie sets a curious connection with the development of international media. This is supported by the fact that many of the true incidents were either modified or omitted. The result was that, truly, what was being said on the news has been manipulated by the media. This becomes clear when Schanberg watches President Nixon on national TV, talking about Cambodia and showing images of a violent country, where people are brutally killed. In reality, Schanberg knew that nation was more and better than that, he has witnessed a Cambodia that did not match the one shown on the media. Nonetheless, I would recommend the movie for those who would like to see the conflicts in Asia from another angle.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Article Report
Report about the Article “A crash course in American Culture.”
The article “A Crash in American Culture” by Jun-Kai-Yeoh expresses in a really interesting way the cultural impact that most of the foreigners, but in special the international students have when living in this country.
In fact, the author describes about his current job at SCSU. More than describing, he identifies and associates it to the heart of the American Culture, as he wisely compares their co-workers to a Dictionary to this culture. It is remarkable how he analysis people around this environment and picks up on their slang, as well as historical jokes which are often brought up around him.
Along the text, Yeoh relates about one of his cultural experiences provided by his American friends. In reality, his point by mentioning that is to support his own argument that the fact of migrating to the U.S under the circumstances of a student was exactly to realize that different cultures exist. A perfect metaphor for the situation is when he makes the analogy with his job and a “Crash course in American Culture.” In other words, his job is a practical class in local culture, and going back to his first day at it he talks about how naive he was when looking at the people he would work with. Surely, one of the lessons he learned by these experiences is to always be a little suspicious about what people’s invitations.
Now, this article is an important example about cultural differences and how to deal with it. Writing this report as an International student, it is easy to identify to one of these embarrassing cultural misunderstanding. However, these kinds of happenings are fundamental for a better comprehension of the host culture, as well as for a good socialization with the natives in the country. There is no doubt that one day, Mr. Yeoh will look back at this moment and (hopefully more into the U.S culture) give some good laughs about it.
The article “A Crash in American Culture” by Jun-Kai-Yeoh expresses in a really interesting way the cultural impact that most of the foreigners, but in special the international students have when living in this country.
In fact, the author describes about his current job at SCSU. More than describing, he identifies and associates it to the heart of the American Culture, as he wisely compares their co-workers to a Dictionary to this culture. It is remarkable how he analysis people around this environment and picks up on their slang, as well as historical jokes which are often brought up around him.
Along the text, Yeoh relates about one of his cultural experiences provided by his American friends. In reality, his point by mentioning that is to support his own argument that the fact of migrating to the U.S under the circumstances of a student was exactly to realize that different cultures exist. A perfect metaphor for the situation is when he makes the analogy with his job and a “Crash course in American Culture.” In other words, his job is a practical class in local culture, and going back to his first day at it he talks about how naive he was when looking at the people he would work with. Surely, one of the lessons he learned by these experiences is to always be a little suspicious about what people’s invitations.
Now, this article is an important example about cultural differences and how to deal with it. Writing this report as an International student, it is easy to identify to one of these embarrassing cultural misunderstanding. However, these kinds of happenings are fundamental for a better comprehension of the host culture, as well as for a good socialization with the natives in the country. There is no doubt that one day, Mr. Yeoh will look back at this moment and (hopefully more into the U.S culture) give some good laughs about it.
Interview Questions
1. What are you struggling most with, this moment away from home?
2. What is the thing you miss the most from your country?
3. What is the major difference for you?
4. Any similarity to your country’s culture?
5. Is school easier or harder than in your country?
6. How are you adapting to the food here?
7. How are you adapting to the weather?
8. Is it easier or harder to make friends here?
9. How often do you contact your family?
10. Have you been in other parts of the state or the country?
11. How long have you studied English for?
12. Do you get Homesick a lot?
2. What is the thing you miss the most from your country?
3. What is the major difference for you?
4. Any similarity to your country’s culture?
5. Is school easier or harder than in your country?
6. How are you adapting to the food here?
7. How are you adapting to the weather?
8. Is it easier or harder to make friends here?
9. How often do you contact your family?
10. Have you been in other parts of the state or the country?
11. How long have you studied English for?
12. Do you get Homesick a lot?
Monday, February 8, 2010
Headers from the Global Communications
Cultural Imperialism
The concept assumes the impacts of advertising, as well as other effects of Mass Media, both in developed countries like the U.S, and also less developed nations.
It has been criticized by researchers who judge the U.S for consolidating a Media empire, by persuading other nations with wise rhetoric.
The United States of Europe (USE)
European nations are seeking for the integration of their media industries, in opposition to the prior decades, where most of the European television was government restricted or owned.
Many of these nations host corporations with similar qualities, which induce more competition in this market.
Bertelsmann
The Company is an incredible Media authority, with connections in all continents, more than fifty nations, besides of a fair slice of the global music market.
A German company that exercises a major role in global Internet activities, as well as in music, publicity, and some other sorts of communication vehicles.
Vivendi Universal
A corporation with its strengths on the field of audiovisual, and setting association with many other companies, Bertelsmann for instance.
It stills dragging interests in public utilities and construction, as it is strongly noticed in French speaking countries, as well as the U.S, especially after the purchase of Universal Studios.
British Sky Broadcasting Group
This group is the leader on Channel providing in the U.K, furnishing a wide range of entertainment, consisting of forty channels.
It also brought into Europe the innovation of Digital Television, in addition to its expansive broadcasting linked to U.S FOX network, intensifying its satellites across the world.
Matra Hachette
It consists of a diverse firm and it is responsible for the issuing of a large number of magazines and encyclopedias.
It is recognized as the fourth biggest publishing corporation in America.
Canal Plus
This group is the head in providing paid channels in Europe, consisting of a total of about twenty channels.
Although its spotlight is in sports, Canal Plus invests on bringing together the European movies with the aim of consolidating the film industry in the continent.
Pathé
It is a film production that possesses movie theaters but that also is present in movie features and television programming.
Since the last two decades, the company has changed to the American model of multiscreen.
Pearson
Based in U.K, it controls several media properties, as it produces over a hundred TV programs, for audiences worldwide.
Despite the profits with television, Pearson is a pioneer in educational and reference publishing.
VNU
It consists of an empire made of publicity, television, film production, music, Internet, and television.
North American businesses provide the company with about a third of their world revenues.
Mediaset
The group controls three of the biggest channels in Italy and belonging, in its majority to Italy’s former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
It is currently seeking International expansion for its wide catalog of Soap Operas and Sitcoms.
Other Foreign Communications Corporations
News Corporation (Australia)
The Company has created an Empire in International Media, as well as in technology, and sports.
Company’s shareholder Rupert Murdoch uses largely publicized sport events as a trap for the company’s audience.
Star TV (Asia)
This company was initially acquired by the Australian "News Corporation," and started broadcasting satellite television services, so-called "STAR network."
It serves over three hundred million people around Asia and parts of Middle East, furnishing both subscription and free-to-air television services.
Can West Global Communications Corp. (Canada)
It is known as one of the major broadcasters in Canada, first starting as the third largest networks, back in the 70’s.
The Group achieved an Internet development, due by its expansion across the U.S, and which consists of a network of news and info.
WETV (Canada)
This group has its approaches on both commercial and public broadcasting, looking to integrate public and private funding, and willing to provide the global market an unconventional television service.
The company’s aim is to give another look at how the secondary nations are represented on the mainstream, by competing commercial television network.
Aboriginal People’s Television Network (Canada)
Originally, the group’s first goal when created was to provide constructive images and messages in relation to the aboriginals and their lifestyle.
It not only broadcasts aboriginal programs from Canada, but also from the U.S, Australia, and New Zealand.
Grupo Televisa (Mexico)
It was originally created in Mexico City, by the Traditional Azcarraga family, which ended-up by forming an empire starting with Radio stations, and later with Grupo Televisa, combined to two other companies.
Its broadcastings aim mostly the increasing Hispanic community in the U.S.
Sony (Japan)
Sony’s founders were willing to innovate in the media industry by creating new markets with communication technology, as the group produced the first Japanese Tape recorder in the 50’s, and later on with other technologies.
By the end of the twentieth century, Sony invested in the American Hispanic broadcaster network "Telemundo", as it attracted about a quarter of the Hispanic audience in the U.S.
Conclusions
The Sports Connection
The Combination Sport plus Media was not really strong until the 70’s, where the media rights over the Olympic games kicked in, and corporations started to broadcast this kind of events.
In the present days, not only the Olympics, but the World Cup of Soccer, and even other sport events at all levels, from High School to World Championship, all that consists of a tremendous source of revenue for the television companies, and for the development of new technologies, as well as for global media, in general.
Global Stakeholders
The characterization of Media corporations infers that the main goal in this field of the market is to make profit, yet, following patterns and standards, such as sharing the same commercial values.
Although the national demand is significant, companies mostly rely on foreign customers, for instance, European, Asian and Canadian groups focusing in the U.S audience and taking advantages such as structural changes within the past few decades, and the ethnic variety present in this part of the world.
The concept assumes the impacts of advertising, as well as other effects of Mass Media, both in developed countries like the U.S, and also less developed nations.
It has been criticized by researchers who judge the U.S for consolidating a Media empire, by persuading other nations with wise rhetoric.
The United States of Europe (USE)
European nations are seeking for the integration of their media industries, in opposition to the prior decades, where most of the European television was government restricted or owned.
Many of these nations host corporations with similar qualities, which induce more competition in this market.
Bertelsmann
The Company is an incredible Media authority, with connections in all continents, more than fifty nations, besides of a fair slice of the global music market.
A German company that exercises a major role in global Internet activities, as well as in music, publicity, and some other sorts of communication vehicles.
Vivendi Universal
A corporation with its strengths on the field of audiovisual, and setting association with many other companies, Bertelsmann for instance.
It stills dragging interests in public utilities and construction, as it is strongly noticed in French speaking countries, as well as the U.S, especially after the purchase of Universal Studios.
British Sky Broadcasting Group
This group is the leader on Channel providing in the U.K, furnishing a wide range of entertainment, consisting of forty channels.
It also brought into Europe the innovation of Digital Television, in addition to its expansive broadcasting linked to U.S FOX network, intensifying its satellites across the world.
Matra Hachette
It consists of a diverse firm and it is responsible for the issuing of a large number of magazines and encyclopedias.
It is recognized as the fourth biggest publishing corporation in America.
Canal Plus
This group is the head in providing paid channels in Europe, consisting of a total of about twenty channels.
Although its spotlight is in sports, Canal Plus invests on bringing together the European movies with the aim of consolidating the film industry in the continent.
Pathé
It is a film production that possesses movie theaters but that also is present in movie features and television programming.
Since the last two decades, the company has changed to the American model of multiscreen.
Pearson
Based in U.K, it controls several media properties, as it produces over a hundred TV programs, for audiences worldwide.
Despite the profits with television, Pearson is a pioneer in educational and reference publishing.
VNU
It consists of an empire made of publicity, television, film production, music, Internet, and television.
North American businesses provide the company with about a third of their world revenues.
Mediaset
The group controls three of the biggest channels in Italy and belonging, in its majority to Italy’s former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
It is currently seeking International expansion for its wide catalog of Soap Operas and Sitcoms.
Other Foreign Communications Corporations
News Corporation (Australia)
The Company has created an Empire in International Media, as well as in technology, and sports.
Company’s shareholder Rupert Murdoch uses largely publicized sport events as a trap for the company’s audience.
Star TV (Asia)
This company was initially acquired by the Australian "News Corporation," and started broadcasting satellite television services, so-called "STAR network."
It serves over three hundred million people around Asia and parts of Middle East, furnishing both subscription and free-to-air television services.
Can West Global Communications Corp. (Canada)
It is known as one of the major broadcasters in Canada, first starting as the third largest networks, back in the 70’s.
The Group achieved an Internet development, due by its expansion across the U.S, and which consists of a network of news and info.
WETV (Canada)
This group has its approaches on both commercial and public broadcasting, looking to integrate public and private funding, and willing to provide the global market an unconventional television service.
The company’s aim is to give another look at how the secondary nations are represented on the mainstream, by competing commercial television network.
Aboriginal People’s Television Network (Canada)
Originally, the group’s first goal when created was to provide constructive images and messages in relation to the aboriginals and their lifestyle.
It not only broadcasts aboriginal programs from Canada, but also from the U.S, Australia, and New Zealand.
Grupo Televisa (Mexico)
It was originally created in Mexico City, by the Traditional Azcarraga family, which ended-up by forming an empire starting with Radio stations, and later with Grupo Televisa, combined to two other companies.
Its broadcastings aim mostly the increasing Hispanic community in the U.S.
Sony (Japan)
Sony’s founders were willing to innovate in the media industry by creating new markets with communication technology, as the group produced the first Japanese Tape recorder in the 50’s, and later on with other technologies.
By the end of the twentieth century, Sony invested in the American Hispanic broadcaster network "Telemundo", as it attracted about a quarter of the Hispanic audience in the U.S.
Conclusions
The Sports Connection
The Combination Sport plus Media was not really strong until the 70’s, where the media rights over the Olympic games kicked in, and corporations started to broadcast this kind of events.
In the present days, not only the Olympics, but the World Cup of Soccer, and even other sport events at all levels, from High School to World Championship, all that consists of a tremendous source of revenue for the television companies, and for the development of new technologies, as well as for global media, in general.
Global Stakeholders
The characterization of Media corporations infers that the main goal in this field of the market is to make profit, yet, following patterns and standards, such as sharing the same commercial values.
Although the national demand is significant, companies mostly rely on foreign customers, for instance, European, Asian and Canadian groups focusing in the U.S audience and taking advantages such as structural changes within the past few decades, and the ethnic variety present in this part of the world.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Abstract
Abstract of the Article “Presses and Democracies.”
The Article “Presses and Democracies” by Overholser and Hall Jamieson (Oxford/ New York 2005) talks about how media news differs around the globe and changes along the time. The authors mention about Globalization and its effects, which turned journalism into a popular, often common culture in most of the countries.
The text proposes identification of the main Media Systems in the Western World. It details the three main models in Western Media. Firstly, the authors talk about the Liberal Model, together with its three similar characteristics, being first the commercial newspapers. Then its state intervention and lastly centering that journalism should be impartial, neutral, replacing, then, the concept of political parallelism. After that, it is mentioned the Polarized and Pluralist Model. It states that it first evolved across the Mediterranean parts in Europe. Southern European countries were more willing to divulgate the arts, such as music and literature, rather than for profit. It finally arrives at the Democratic Corporatist Model. When this model came in, public opinion was mainly influenced due to how prior systems have developed.
After the overview of the models, it is taught about the Convergence of Media Systems. It is said that the divergences among the models was reduced about the end of the last century. It argues that the main cause to this was the so-called secularization of European society, which can be supported by a denial of people in separating religious and ideological faiths linked to those systems.
On the last part, the authors associate the development of Media Systems with enhancements for society, such as turning public causes like democracy, and other subjects with controversial contents. At conclusion, questions are set in the atmosphere, making one to wonder what futures await for the Media. Moreover, the authors imagine of what kind of concerns will be brought up and how can the logic of the current models not be contradicted due by its own rules.
The Article “Presses and Democracies” by Overholser and Hall Jamieson (Oxford/ New York 2005) talks about how media news differs around the globe and changes along the time. The authors mention about Globalization and its effects, which turned journalism into a popular, often common culture in most of the countries.
The text proposes identification of the main Media Systems in the Western World. It details the three main models in Western Media. Firstly, the authors talk about the Liberal Model, together with its three similar characteristics, being first the commercial newspapers. Then its state intervention and lastly centering that journalism should be impartial, neutral, replacing, then, the concept of political parallelism. After that, it is mentioned the Polarized and Pluralist Model. It states that it first evolved across the Mediterranean parts in Europe. Southern European countries were more willing to divulgate the arts, such as music and literature, rather than for profit. It finally arrives at the Democratic Corporatist Model. When this model came in, public opinion was mainly influenced due to how prior systems have developed.
After the overview of the models, it is taught about the Convergence of Media Systems. It is said that the divergences among the models was reduced about the end of the last century. It argues that the main cause to this was the so-called secularization of European society, which can be supported by a denial of people in separating religious and ideological faiths linked to those systems.
On the last part, the authors associate the development of Media Systems with enhancements for society, such as turning public causes like democracy, and other subjects with controversial contents. At conclusion, questions are set in the atmosphere, making one to wonder what futures await for the Media. Moreover, the authors imagine of what kind of concerns will be brought up and how can the logic of the current models not be contradicted due by its own rules.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)