Postmodern culture, the politics of post-structuralism and the influence of globalization on identity are topics that have received much critical attention and have given rise to complex debates. Whether in the field of cultural and media studies, (post)colonial discourse analysis or aesthetics, these discussions are often perceived as being extremely complicated, confusing or removed from everyday reality. The subject of postmodernism is no longer restricted to learned debates by intellectual elites: Its appearance in mass media discussions concerning topics as diverse as architecture, drama, fashion, literature, music or film has become almost a daily occurrence. The importance of debates on the cultural impact of television is self-evident in the light of television being “an asset open to virtually everybody in modern industrialized societies and one which is increasing its visibility across the planet” (Barker, The Cultural impact of television, 3).

The Cultural Studies in a Global Context fosters cross-disciplinary research and teaching among social sciences and humanities scholars, focusing on the complexities of increasing globalization and intercultural contact. These changes have stimulated both formal and informal dialogues and collaborations among faculty, graduate students, professors of departments, and programs. Recently their works have focused on environmental issues in postcolonial contexts; empire, masculinity and gender; ethnic and religious violence; migration and diasporas as it currently occurs in the face of accelerating globalization and from a historical perspective; theories of cultural hybridity and interculturality in the context of asymmetrical power relations; and geopolitical and other kinds of borders where differences of all kinds cause peoples to clash and intermingle.

Two powerful scenarios dominate the public discourse about the cultural consequences of globalization. The one very common scenario represents globalization as cultural homogenization (for example Benjamin Barbers McWorld vs. Jihad). In this scenario the culturally distinct societies of the world are being overrun by globally available goods, media, ideas and institutions. In a world where people from Vienna to Sidney eat Big Macs, wear Benetton clothes, watch MTV or CNN, talk about human rights and work on their IBM computers cultural characteristics are endangered. As these commodities and ideas are mostly of western origin, globalization is perceived as westernization in disguise. The other scenario is that of cultural fragmentation and intercultural conflict (Huntington’s Clash of civilizations and most recently “confirmed” by the ethnocide in Yugoslavia).

But can we really reduce the processes of cultural globalization (i.e. the process of world-wide interconnections) to these two stereotypes? What about the meaning that local people attach to globally distributed goods and ideas? Why do people drink Coca Cola and what sense do they make of the soap-operas they watch? Do they really trade in their century old life worlds for the kinds of Madonna and Bill Gates? And how does the homogenization scenario fit with its rival, the imminent cultural fragmentation? (Joana Breidenbach and Ina Zukrigl).

Global and local analysis is inseparability. Global forces enter into local situations and global relations are articulated through local events, identities, and cultures; it includes studies of a wide range of cultural forms including sports, poetry, pedagogy ecology, dance, cities. The new global and translocal cultures and identities created by the diasporic processes of colonialism and decolonization. Cultural studies consider a variety of local, national, and transnational contexts with particular attention to race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality as categories that force us to rethink globalization itself.

It is very important how local and particular discourses are being transformed by new discourses of globalization and transnationalism, as used both by government and business and in critical academic discourse. Unlike other studies that have focused on the politics and economics of globalization, cultural studies, today, articulating the Global and the Local highlights the importance of culture and provides models for a cultural studies that addresses globalization and the dialectic of local and global forces.

Globalization leads to a new cultural diversity. Culture is one of the most prominent global concepts and gets appropriated in highly diverse ways. From its origins, cultural studies have defined its interdisciplinary impulse as a necessity derived from the nature of its object of study. Stuart Hall locates the origin of cultural studies in the refusal to allow “culture” to be distinguished from the social and historical totality of human practices, as exemplified by the refusal of cultural studies to acknowledge the autonomy of high art from mass or popular culture, or the autonomy of cultural artifacts from practices of reception and consumption in everyday life. Thus globality leads to the emergence of new cultural forms – a process points out that everywhere cultural tradition mix and create new practices and worldviews.

One of the key questions in globalized cultural studies is whether we have now entered a new moment in the institutionalization of cultural studies and interdisciplinary work more generally. Cultural studies also have a long history of skepticism and self-critique directed at its own institutionalization. Typically, the way cultural studies seeks to make its methodologies mirror the “totalizing” nature of its object is cited as a defense against reductive institutional codification along disciplinary lines, which it is feared will not only reduce cultural studies to a formula but also eliminate the interdisciplinary forms of dialogue, collaboration, and critique of disciplinary limits that have informed the history of this movement. The logic of epistemological mobility and boundary-crossing that cultural studies shares with its definition of culture is supposed to provide an inherent resistance to disciplinary formation, the traditional mode of academic legitimating. The interdisciplinary logic of cultural studies makes possible an alternative mode of institutionalization, so that Stuart Hall distinguishes “institutionalization,” as a positive process, from the dangers of “codification.” On one level, what a cultural studies program institutionalizes is its own skepticism toward institutionalization as a discipline.

Javad_Alipoor

Cross cultural communication is critical to the business world. The diversity of people in cities and countries means an element of cross cultural communication will always be needed whether it is between staff, colleagues, customers or clients. Awareness of cultural differences can favourably impact the success of a business. Improved staff interaction, better customer relations and effective client management are all areas that will reap benefits through cross cultural understanding.

Although cross cultural communication competency can only be truly achieved through cross cultural awareness training, language acquisition, foreign travel and cultural immersion there are some guidelines that can enhance your cross cultural communication skills.

Cross Cultural Communication needs …Listening Skills

Although emphasis usually lies on being a competent speaker, listening is a key skill that many business personnel do not exercise enough. For cross cultural communication, attentive listening is critical to be able to understand meanings, read between the lines and enable to empathise with the speaker.

Cross Cultural Communication needs…Speaking Skills

Listening and speaking must work in tandem for effective cross cultural communication. Speaking well is not about accent, use of grammar and vocabulary or having the gift of the gab. Rather, cross cultural communication is enhanced through positive speech such as encouragement, affirmation, recognition and phrasing requests clearly or expressing opinions sensitively.

Cross Cultural Communication needs… Observation

Large amounts of cross cultural information can be read in people’s dress, body language, interaction and behaviour. Be aware of differences with your own culture and try to understand the roots of behaviours. Asking questions expands your cross cultural knowledge.

Cross Cultural Communication needs… Patience

Man has been created differently and we need to recognise and understand that sometimes cross cultural differences are annoying and frustrating. In these situations patience is definitely a virtue. Through patience respect is won and cross cultural understanding is enhanced.

Cross Cultural Communication needs …Flexibility

Flexibility, adaptability and open-mindedness are the route to successful cross cultural communication. Understanding, embracing and addressing cross cultural differences leads to the breaking of cultural barriers which results in better lines of communication, mutual trust and creative thinking.

Following these five cross cultural communication needs will allow for improved lines of communication, better cross cultural awareness and more successful cross cultural relationships.

Neil_Payne

One of Indonesia’s amazing cultures is the country’s unique art-forms and that expresses mixed cultures. There are the Indonesian’s traditional puppet shows that is influenced mainly by the Hindus and Islam that among the villagers of Java. The western culture in the other hand has influenced Indonesia with modern entertainment features and techniques like the art of TV shows and movies together with their songs. Their political system was influenced mainly of the Western’s.

Though the Indonesians have been influenced by many foreign lads, the many remote places of the country still possess and reserve the country’s unique culture, rituals, customs and old traditions.

Indonesian music has been a very big part of the Indonesian community making it a very important role in every Indonesian lives. The dance together with their music has also been a big part of Indonesian civilization. There are lots of traditional dances that are being played and performed during special occasions in some public places.

Apart from their dance and music, the Indonesian’s drama and theatre are being performed in certain Indonesian occasions. Performances subjects with the country’s history. They actually perform folk stories and get to play each unique character that will give life to the performances.

Painting is also been well known for the Indonesians and that they are very artistic and detailed with colorful and traditional designs that are unique by the Indonesians. These paintings are used to be backgrounds of the theatre arts performances that give life to the show.

Here are the some of the traditional customs and traditions behind the Indonesian culture. Through the years, their culture has diverged and lots of styles and techniques are added that made their culture more colorful and lively. There are lots more to be revealed with the culture of Indonesia that is only be discovered when one is to relate himself with the Indonesians and get to know them personally. So visit this beautiful country any time and learn more about their vibrant culture and their way of living.

Pinky_Mcbanon

Constructive elements of the US culture and American characteristics separate American society from Europe and other world countries, even American neighbors. This distinction becomes clearer with comparison of America and Canada. Both countries were established by European migrants, but Canadian culture has more similarity with European culture. In one hand, American culture is consequence of reaction and interaction between European cultural elements and American geography. On other hand, contact between different cultures of European and non- European culture, particularly African culture. America ethnicity is collection of many migrants ethnic. It is mix of diversity race and ethnic. Plurality and unity is one of important element of American culture.

Emerging of national identity and culture shaped before people conscious. Collection of values system, norms, history, geography, and immigration created a new way of life that I called American culture. American society is like a pot that various things were added and out put of this pot has principle difference with primary things. As a result, understanding American culture and society needs to studding of human process and geography parallel European culture.

When we talk about American culture, values, or specific manners, we mean values, manners, and characters of white mid-class. However, we should emphasis to mid-class in American cultural studies. American culture has constructed of five main elements; 1- individualism and equality 2- immigration and cultural disturbance 3- American-African race and American culture 4- Puritanism 5- expansionism.

Individualism and equality are to element that sometimes seem antonym, and sometimes complementary to each other. Nonetheless, they create significant part of American culture and identity. Both of them have had many agreements and critiques in American history. Many scholar emphases to individualism and equality, these are important constructive elements of culture, society, and government in the United States of America.

Alexis de Tocqueville believes that individualism is avoidable result of equality and democracy. Because, every person in equal circumstances follows their ideas, in this situation, all of their sentiments concentrate only on their interests. Individualism differs from the selfishness.
Individualism is visible in many layers of American society and history. American society and land mixed with individualism. Individualism was the pattern of rural settlement, that in which one house located among miles of lands and separated from others houses and villages. Individualism has effected in shaping of American cities. Also, individualism is observed in American high education system and religious patterns.

These were positive aspects of American individualism. But without doubt, it has negative aspects; inattention to keeping the structure and form of city, leaving the farm lands and old buildings without attention to environment problems and immigration to original lands, inattention to poor peoples. According to these issues, uncivilized individualism was being popular.
Before Discovering American Continent by European Adventures, there were several ethnics, but after that some ethnics added them, and after two centuries American became a multi- ethnic continent. Then United States declared independency, and frequently expended to his original territory by war, purchase, annexation. But principle source of variety had been immigration from any where, especially Europe. Potential of this people to acceptance other culture created one of significant constructive of American culture and identity. America is a territory that its history derivates its people from having a common forbears.

Hector St. John de Crevecouer in his book, “letters from an American Farmer” (1782), mentioned that “I can indicate a family that their grand father is from England with Poland’s woman, his son got married with a French girl, and their four sons got married with four diverse nations. He is an American, who left his traditional behaviors and prejudices, and choused new behaviors and ideas. These treatments, ideas originate from new way of life, government, and social positions. Here, individuals from any nations melting within a new race that in future their attempts will bring important changes in globe”.

Revolutionary war led to American independency. It was first successful anti-colonial attempt in contemporary history. Winners built a nation that had not the common, conventional pre- conditions of nation-building. United States had not natural territory, history with unique religion versus European countries. There weren’t Narrative, ancient poem, folklores, and forefathers of one race.

Since the begging of immigration to United States, English’s were major group and cant ignore significant of English language, English law, religious ideas, thinking, theoretical and thinking ideals and principles of English in construction of America and American culture. In spite of these issues, English race don’t account native race of American people. English were half people that lived in America in 1790 and African were second category with 20 percent. Answer of constructors of this new country was ideological. They introduced American as new human beings who created based on new ideas, new principles, and new thinking methods. However it was an only way to state about this young country in world.

Traditional pattern for allocating the American-African history is a route from bandage to freedom. Some historians like Nathan heukinze believe that pattern of continued campaign for representing the historic experience of American blacks. History and race relationship of American-African investigate not only considering political, economical, and social situation, but through expand cultural perspective. Establishing modern and global slavery system differed by place, time, race background and European or African formation. In eighteenth century, North American colonies had more population of slavery. Main question is that how the very variety of African people with different believes, behaviors, and language could create the society and culture of modern black world.

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Culture shock is the term used to describe how people feel when they are exposed to an unfamiliar culture or way of life, and the feeling of disorientation and separateness they experience. It’s a condition that every international teacher feels in varying degrees, whether they’re new to teaching abroad or old hands at it.

Luckily culture shock follows a fairly predictable cycle and there are a number of ways you can prepare for it and lessen the impact of it once you’ve made the move overseas.

Unfortunately, when describing culture shock, it comes across as a negative thing to be avoided at all costs, and I’ve just told you it’s inevitable for anyone wanting to teach abroad. It’s important for you to remember that teaching overseas is an opportunity to explore other cultures and enjoy a better teaching environment. Yes, you will experience culture shock, but you can manage this and it’s not all bad!

Factors that can contribute to culture shock are :

* People speaking a different language, dialect or with an unfamiliar accent.

* Dealing with a different currnecy, money that is a different colour, feel and value. Keeping track of exchange rates can become a tiresome chore when living abroad, so once you’ve received your first paycheck, don’t bother. Earn local, spend local!

* People behaving in unfamiliar ways, even local customs can vary from one end of a country to another.

* Spicy and/or unfamiliar food. You may need to substitute ‘like’ ingredients in your favourite recipes too.

* People staring at you, if you are in a country where your skin colour or facial features stand out as being different, this will happen.

On top of this you’ll be the new teacher in school, so the procedures and policies will be different to what you’re used to at home.

Recognising culture shock

Recognising culture shock for what it is and acknowledging which stage you’re in is the first step to lessening the grip it has on you. For example, if you suddenly feel like you hate your new teaching job because of how hard it is to make the purchasing department understand what it is you’re trying to order, recognising this as an effect of culture shock can help you adjust your behaviour.

When you first get to your new home you’ll feel happy to be there and everything you see or experience will be wonderful and new. This is the ‘honeymoon’ stage of culture shock and it feels great! It can last from several days to several months. This is the time where you’ll be sending loads of emails to your friend using words and phrases like ‘awesome’, ‘best decision I’ve ever made’, ‘don’t know why I didn’t do this years ago’. Recognise this stage of culture shock and enjoy it.

Next comes the period of frustration, full of situations like the example above. When you sink into this part of the cycle you’ll begin to dislike everything about your new home. It’ll be too hard, too smelly, too hot, too loud, and everything else ‘too’!

This is also when homesickness could strike you with a vengeance. You may find yourself developing a hostile attitude towards every one not of your own nationality and culture. Your old home will suddenly seem like the best place in the world and you may regret ever leaving it.

Strategies to cope with the stress of culture shock

1. Learn some of the local language before you leave home. You’ve signed a contract that means you’re going to be living in your host country for 1-2 years, learning the language will help you get around and make friends.

2. Take time to get used to the new time zone, the different weather and smells, sounds etc.

3. Begin building friendships as soon as you arrive and meet the other new teachers. You’ll form a bond with these teachers in the first year especially because they’ll be coping with culture shock as well. This will be your support group.

4. Stay in touch with people you’ve left at home. In my most recent move I found the best medicine for the frustration phase was an email from my old colleagues telling me how unsatisfied they were at my previous school.

5. Cut yourself some slack. When you recognise the symptoms of culture shock, give yourself a break, watch a favourite movie, look at pictures from home, have a meal at your favourite restaurant. Revel in the great things you’re experiencing in your new home so that you can put your frustration in perspective.

The Up-Side of the Frustration Stage

Finally you will start to see the funny side of it all and most of the things that made you angry during the frustration stage will either cause you to laugh or you’ll be able to shrug your shoulders and pass it off as being a feature of your new home. When you’re in this stage of the cycle you’ll begin to remember your old home without your rose-coloured glasses again.

You may wonder how I can write with so much confidence about culture shock, and it’s because I’ve experienced it all. I’ve moved country 7 times in the last 11 years and each time I’ve been hit with culture shock. Sometimes only a mild dose, but it’s always there.

Culture shock has never put me off seeking teaching jobs abroad. I recognise it and work with it. In this article I’ve given you 5 methods of alleviating the stress of culture shock. Remember that all international teachers feel culture shock to some degree. You won’t be alone, so don’t let it stop you from enjoying the fantastic experiences you’ll have teaching abroad.

Over half a million protestors against the proposed immigration bill in California has again marked out the fact, how many new people are coming to America every year to realize ‘The Great American Dream’ and secondly it raises few questions about, how we will assimilate them in our society.

Culturally diverse societies are living in America with relative harmony toward each other. This harmony is not the result of assimilation of these diverse communities into the dominant culture but by progressive respects toward each other.

Education in Multi Cultural Society

Education has played major role in the emergence of United States as dominant power in World War II. Our education system focused on progressive values and liberalism, which led to the advancements in science and technology.

Post 9/11 what we are witnessing is a growing intolerance towards different religions and cultures, which is disturbing the harmony in American society. Today the challenge in front of our education system is two fold – understanding cultural and religious sensitivities and inculcating them in our daily living.

Keeping the above objectives in mind, I have put forward few recommendations that will help in going ahead with our educational system in grow cultural diversity.

Understanding the history, background and other cultural differences will improve the understanding among students of various cultures in the school. It will help building an atmosphere where students across the table will be much more receptive in understanding each others view points.

Cross cultural education system will help in eradicating uneasy and confronting situations like the ‘Prophet Pictures’. In our modern society the head on approach won’t bring harmony but instead it will splurge situations where more and more people will feel uncomfortable in each others company. This uneasiness will stem from one fear of how the other will react to what one says and secondly people will notice more difference among each other than the similarities.

Today we have huge inequalities with in our society sort of which we have witnessed during and aftermath of hurricane Katrina. These inequalities may be due to economic differences or due to educational differences. Sensitization towards these inequalities is a step forward in right direction and I personally believe that the recommendations will achieve in making students across America to understand these differences. Further understanding these inequalities will help us in developing an educational system that works to remove them and groom more prepared and sensitive students in the future.

The recommendation of increasing diversity among classes across America is especially a worthy one. Today we saw how schools are either neighborhood centered or race centered. Increasing diversity will bring different perspective in the same class and students from the very early age will able to know that each individual has a different way of tackling the same situation. I think this understanding of being different and recognizing it as it is will bring forth a new revolution in our education system. This very understanding will reduce the ‘Them vs Us’ situation in our community, society and in this world. It will build a world where cultural differences as well as similarities will exist, without assigning values, i.e., better or worse, right or wrong, to those cultural differences and variation.