mlo 3: Secondary cultural knowledge
In addition to the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures, the student demonstrates a general knowledge of a socio-cultural group other than a Hispanic one or mainstream American culture. The student develops a basic understanding of the ways of thinking (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, philosophies), the behavioral practices (patterns of social interactions) and the cultural products – both tangible and intangible (for example, art, history, literature, music) – of the second culture.
Response:
I have taken two classes that fulfill MLO3. The first class that I took was the History of US Involvement in Vietnam and South-East Asia Pacific. The class was co-taught by Dr. Angie Tran and Dr. Gerald Shenk. Both professors have published books on their research, and their collaboration in class was impressive. Dr. Tran is a refugee from South Vietnam. She escaped by boat during the most violent years of war. Dr. Tran is the hardest working scholar that I have ever met. When my work load in school got hard, I would think: Dr. Tran could this... Dr. Shenk was a conscientious counselor during the Vietnam war. The two professors had different perspectives of the war, yet both valid and informative. The readings assigned in class were hard to read. I remember two or three times having to put the book down to continue later, due to the heavy script.
There were Vietnam Veterans that sat in on every class. Each of them spoke up and share their experiences and opinions throughout the semester. At the end of the Semester, the Veterans did a presentation of their own. They told stories and thanked us for taking the class. It was a gift to learn about such a controversial war in one room with such multiple perspectives. This is also the best history class I have ever taken.
The other cross cultural class that I took was Japanese film -310, taught by Sensei Takahashi. Every week we watched a new movie and wrote a two page reaction paper. The films chosen for class were some of the best movies I have ever seen. All of the movies had english subtitles. Japanese film is just as good or better than hollywood in my opinion. There were themes that recurred in multiple movies. Nuclear destruction was often a scenario. Also, teachings and reflections from WWII were present in many films. The main cultural message that I learned from watching the films is, that the Japanese culture emphasizes on unity. The success of the village is more important than the success of the individual. Loyalty to the clan is the noble way. But the young movies, produced in 2000 to present, are strongly influenced by North America; in that, people now in Japan strive more for personal success. I believe there is still a strong sense of community and unity amongst the Japanese culture, but is seems there is a cultural shift happening in the opposite direction.
Attached below are the final papers for both, SBS -318 History of US Involvement in Vietnam and South-East Asia and JAPN -310.
_Social Justice:_International_Labor_Standards.pdf
Response:
I have taken two classes that fulfill MLO3. The first class that I took was the History of US Involvement in Vietnam and South-East Asia Pacific. The class was co-taught by Dr. Angie Tran and Dr. Gerald Shenk. Both professors have published books on their research, and their collaboration in class was impressive. Dr. Tran is a refugee from South Vietnam. She escaped by boat during the most violent years of war. Dr. Tran is the hardest working scholar that I have ever met. When my work load in school got hard, I would think: Dr. Tran could this... Dr. Shenk was a conscientious counselor during the Vietnam war. The two professors had different perspectives of the war, yet both valid and informative. The readings assigned in class were hard to read. I remember two or three times having to put the book down to continue later, due to the heavy script.
There were Vietnam Veterans that sat in on every class. Each of them spoke up and share their experiences and opinions throughout the semester. At the end of the Semester, the Veterans did a presentation of their own. They told stories and thanked us for taking the class. It was a gift to learn about such a controversial war in one room with such multiple perspectives. This is also the best history class I have ever taken.
The other cross cultural class that I took was Japanese film -310, taught by Sensei Takahashi. Every week we watched a new movie and wrote a two page reaction paper. The films chosen for class were some of the best movies I have ever seen. All of the movies had english subtitles. Japanese film is just as good or better than hollywood in my opinion. There were themes that recurred in multiple movies. Nuclear destruction was often a scenario. Also, teachings and reflections from WWII were present in many films. The main cultural message that I learned from watching the films is, that the Japanese culture emphasizes on unity. The success of the village is more important than the success of the individual. Loyalty to the clan is the noble way. But the young movies, produced in 2000 to present, are strongly influenced by North America; in that, people now in Japan strive more for personal success. I believe there is still a strong sense of community and unity amongst the Japanese culture, but is seems there is a cultural shift happening in the opposite direction.
Attached below are the final papers for both, SBS -318 History of US Involvement in Vietnam and South-East Asia and JAPN -310.
_Social Justice:_International_Labor_Standards.pdf