Reflection 3: What's on Telly?—Exploring International Television

Just as American movies and music dominate the world, so too, does our television. In fact, American shows, ranging from The Walking Dead to The Simpsons to Grey's Anatomy often enjoy large audiences globally. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of international shows on US television. Generally, Americans prefer English-language television produced in their own country. Even shows from other English-speaking countries often have a difficult time finding an audience here, as US viewers are often confounded by non-American English accents. Thus, risk-adverse broadcast networks (e.g. NBC, Fox) rarely offer non-English, non-American programs in their schedules. Streaming services, on the other hand, have tapped into a growing American appetite for foreign television. Now, most major services feature a plethora of international programing options, including frothy Mexican telenovelas and gritty Scandinavian procedurals. For this reflection, watch at least one episode from two different internationally-produced shows on a major American streaming service or website. (Though these shows can technically include television from other English-speaking countries, such as the UK and Canada, you are highly encouraged to watch something from a non-English-speaking country.) In your analysis, examine the differences and similarities between our countries’ entertainment, such as tone, language, subject matter, and humor. Finally, consider if the shows you watched have any potential for mainstream success in America. Why or why not?

Notes:

1. Broadcasting standards in many countries differ from those in the US. Thus, you may find more profanity, violence, even nudity, in these programs.
2.  Most major streaming services—Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, etc.—require paid subscriptions. You are not expected to spend any money for this assignment. In addition to Hulu, which offers a free tier, YouTube has a number of free international television options. Contact me if you have difficulty accessing content.
   

Required:

• MLA Style, plus works cited page
• 2 pages
  

Submission Window: Thu 3.3 - Thu 3.10 (via Canvas) 

 

Week 6: Tue 3.1/Thu 3.3 – Iran

Shāh Chérāgh, Shiraz

Week 6: Tue 3.1/Thu 3.3 – Iran
Read: FOREVERS—Part 1: Undercitizens
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations

Upcoming:

Week 7: Tue 3.8/Thu 3.10 – India
Read: FOREVERS—Part 2: The Business of Burning
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Lecture—“Inside the Narrative: Burke’s Dramatistic Pentad”

Global News (Ukraine Edition) 2.26

• Russian economy in dire trouble after a barrage of international financial sanctions (TheConversation)
• Russia facing international boycotts on everything from vodka to sports (Washington Post)
  
• Saturday Night Live's cold open features The Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York singing "A Prayer for Ukraine" (Deadline) 
• Pope expresses his "profound pain" to Ukrainian president (Reuters)
• Mormon church withdraws missionaries from Ukraine (Arizona Republic)

Week 5: Tue 2.22/Thu 2.24 – Mozambique

Bazaruto Island, Mozambique

Week 5: Tue 2.22/Thu 2.24 – Mozambique
Class: Multimedia presentations; Lecture—“Reading Right: New Techniques” and “Do It Now: Ten Easy Grammar Fixes”
Due: REFLECTION 2

Upcoming:

Week 6: Tue 3.1/Thu 3.3 – Iran
Read: FOREVERS—Part 1: Undercitizens
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Lecture—“Inside the Narrative: Burke’s Dramatistic Pentad”

Global News 2.19

• UNITED KINGDOM: Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II has contracted Covid (Sky News) 
  
• AUSTRALIA: Authorities hunt for great white that killed swimmer (TheInertia)
• CHINA: What to do about Eileen Gu? (Guardian)
• GREECE: Greek-Italian ferry catches fire in Mediterranean (Reuters)
  
• MEXICO: Guacamole fans rejoice as US temporarily lifts ban on Mexican avocados (CNN)

Reflection 2: Yours for the Taking—On Americans and Cultural Appropriation

Cultural appropriation is the act of one culture "incorporating" aspects of another culture into its own. This differs from cultural exchanges in which American hip-hop and Bollywood-style dancing might incorporate each other's moves or Korean and Mexican cuisines sharing ingredients and techniques. In cultural appropriation, a dominant group assimilates aspects of a foreign culture without regard to their original use or intent. In other words, parts of one culture might be absorbed into another in insensitive, even offensive, ways, often for their perceived cool factor. Thus, we've seen white Millennials embrace Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos, the popularization of sacred Maori symbols as tattoos, and the labeling of a clean, Asian-influenced interior design as "Zen-style." Additionally, Black Americans have endured the absorption of their culture (cornrows, slang, etc.) for consumption in mainstream white culture, while American Indians are still routinely exoticized. Cultural appropriators often claim they are simply showing an appreciation for those cultures—“I’m actually honoring that culture.” But what’s the line between appreciating a culture and disrespecting it? What obligation, if any, do we have to first educate ourselves? For example, can we truly understand the traditions of Ojibwa dreamcatchers when they're worn as car charms, or respect Hindu and Buddhist principles when we do yoga with goats? Is it possible to appreciate another culture in a more respectful manner? How can that be achieved?

 

 Include at least two of the following in your discussion:

• "The Cultural Appropriation Primer" (Medium)
• "When is it Okay to Wear an Item from Another Culture, and When is it Appropriation? How to Tell (TED)
• "Cultural Appropriation—Is it Ever Okay?" (Refinery29)
• "Cultural Appropriation: How Not to Celebrate the Day of the Dead" (TalkDeath) 
• "Is It Cultural Appropriation When It's Queer Culture?" (Pride)
 

Required:

• MLA Style, plus works cited page
• 2 pages
  

Submission Window: Thu 2.24 - Tue 3.1 (via Canvas)

Week 4: Tue 2.15/Thu 2.17 – Egypt

The Great Pyramids of Giza, Cairo

Week 4: Tue 2.15/Thu 2.17 – Egypt
Review: CAN—“Citing Sources in MLA: The Basics”
Read: “A Look at How People Around the World View Climate Change” (Pew Research Center), “The Strong Winds of Climate Change Have Failed to Move the Opinions of Many Americans” (Washington Post), “In Response to Climate Change, Citizens in Advanced Economies are Willing to Alter How They Live and Work” (Pew Research Center)
Class: Reading discussion
Due: TOULMIN MODEL

Upcoming:

Week 5: Tue 2.22/Thu 2.24 – Mozambique
Class: Multimedia presentations; Lecture—“Reading Right: New Techniques” and “Do It Now: Ten Easy Grammar Fixes”
Due: REFLECTION 2

Global News 2.12

• UNITED STATES: President Biden warns President Putin of Russia of "severe costs" in event of Ukraine invasion (CBC News)
• DENMARK: Copenhagen considers winding down Covid vaccinations (CTV News)
• CANADA: Several US-Canada crossing blocked amid Covid restrictions protests (CBC)
• CHINA: Russian ice skating phenom's positive doping result rocks the Winter Olympics (NPR)
• MEXICO: See this stunning all-glass Airbnb in the Mexican jungle (Travel+Leisure)

The Toulmin Model

A fierce debate is raging about the merits of climate change—in America, at least. The international community, on the other hand, is largely in agreement that the planet is in imminent danger. As our climate teeters toward a point of no return, Americans are more divided on the issue than ever. In our country, liberals overwhelmingly support laws and policies to preserve the climate; meanwhile, conservatives are the single largest group of Americans to cast doubt on or disbelieve climate change. And for all Americans, climate often ranks below issues, such as the economy, immigration, and infrastructure, in polls. Given America’s hefty political clout, our internal squabbles are a troublesome development for the rest of the world. Instead of vacillating based upon the occupant of the White House, how can America finally lead on the issue of climate change?

For this assignment, you will utilize the Toulmin Model to construct a rhetorically-sound claim for America to finally decisively join the international community on climate change. You are responsible for constructing a single, logically-sound claim that will be supported by two distinct sets (A and B) of grounds, warrants, backings, etc.

Note:

1. Cite a minimum of four sources, including two of the following:
1. “Americans' Climate Change Views Largely Unchanged Over Last Few Years: Poll (The Hill)
2. “Are Americans Concerned About Global Warming?” (Gallup)
3. “Americans are Less Concerned—but More Divided—on Climate Change than People Elsewhere” (Pew Research Center)
4. “A Look at How People Around the World View Climate Change” (Pew Research Center)
5. “The Strong Winds of Climate Change Have Failed to Move the Opinions of Many Americans” (Washington Post)
6. “In Response to Climate Change, Citizens in Advanced Economies are Willing to Alter How They Live and Work” (Pew Research Center) 
2. Additionally, you are responsible for providing TWO additional sources to support your grounds, warrants, backings, etc.
3. Cite your sources in MLA Style below your Toulmin Model. 
4. Use THIS template (updated 2.18) for your Toulmin Model.

Submission Window:  Thu 2.17-Thu 24 (via Canvas)

Multimedia Presentations

This semester, you will be responsible for a 10-minute multimedia presentation on a global-themed topic:

Requirements:

• The presentation must be no more than 10 minutes in length
• There should be 10-12 slides (including mandatory introduction and conclusion slides) and should contain least one video or audio clip—absolutely no more than 1.5 minutes in length
• A works cited slide in MLA Style 
  
• Presentations will be submitted in Canvas
  

Additionally:

• You may utilize any presentation program you like (PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi, etc.)
• It is highly recommended that you present from a downloaded version of your presentation
• Presentations without an introduction and/or conclusion cannot score higher than a C 

Topics:

1. "One Country, Two Systems": China and Hong Kong
2. ¡Vamos!: Chicano Culture in Asia
3. What to Know about Canada’s Justin Trudeau
4. Who are the Maori?
5. Access Forbidden: Snake Island, Poveglia Island, and North Sentinel Island
6. All About Eco-Tourism
7. Blood in the Water: Inside the Taiji Dolphin Trade
8. Brexit Explained
9. Buyer Wanted: Why Nobody Wants to Host the Olympics Anymore
10. The Controversial Cup: The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
11. Footy: Inside Australian Rules Football
12. Twenty-Four Hours in Cairo
13. Fantastic Beasts: Orang Pendek, Champ, and Mokèlé-mbèmbé
14. Dark Tourism: The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Aokigahara Forest, and La Isla de las Muñecas
15. What to Know about New Zealnd’s Jacinda Ardern 
16. How it Works: The Ivory Trade 
    
17. Divorce Proceedings: The Secession Movements of Quebec, Sicily, and Chiapas
18. Four Places to Visit—Before They Disappear
19. What to Know about North Korea’s Kim Jong-un
20. Hip Hop Goes Global: Three International Acts to Watch
21. How it Works: Cricket
22. ¡Viva Moz!: Mexico & Morrissey
23. In Too Deep: The Mariana Trench
24. How it Works: Human Trafficking
25. United 2026: The World Cup Comes to North America
26. How it Works: Paris Fashion Week
27. Lost Cities: Derinkuyu, Angkor, Pompeii, and Palenque
28. Three Places Americans are Barred from Visiting
29. Striking Terror: Boko Haram, al-Qaeda, and ISIS
30. Twenty-Four Hours in Buenos Aires
31. System Collapse: Saving the Great Barrier Reef
32. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault—and Why We Need It
33. God Save the Queen: What Will Happen When Queen Elizabeth II Dies?
34. Understanding the Arab Spring
35. The Rise of KPop
36. What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?
37. What to Know about Russia’s Vladimir Putin
38. Saving the World’s Lungs: The Fight to Preserve the Amazon
39. Twenty-Four Hours in Dubai
40. Stolen Goods: The British Museum Controversy

Choose partners and topics via Google Docs here: 

• Sec.12
• Sec.14

Due: Tue 2.15 (by 10 p.m.)

Week 3: Tue 2.8/Thu 2.10 – Italy

The Grand Canal, Venice

Week 3: Tue 2.8/Thu 2.10 – Italy
Review: CAN—“MLA Style 101”
Read: eR—“Americans' Climate Change Views Largely Unchanged Over Last Few Years: Poll (The Hill), “Are Americans Concerned About Global Warming?” (Gallup), “Americans are Less Concerned—but More Divided—on Climate Change than People Elsewhere” (Pew Research Center)
Class: Presentation partner and topic assignments; Lecture—“Better Multimedia Presentations: An How-To” and “Inside the Toulmin Model”
Due: REFLECTION 1 

 Upcoming:

Week 4: Tue 2.15/Thu 2.17 – Egypt
Review: CAN—“Citing Sources in MLA: The Basics”
Read: “A Look at How People Around the World View Climate Change” (Pew Research Center), “The Strong Winds of Climate Change Have Failed to Move the Opinions of Many Americans” (Washington Post), “In Response to Climate Change, Citizens in Advanced Economies are Willing to Alter How They Live and Work” (Pew Research Center)
Class: Reading discussion Due: TOULMIN MODEL        

Global News 2.2

• CANADA: Ottawa considers military intervention to end truckers' "Freedom Convoy" (Guardian)
  UKRAINE: US sending 3,000 troops to Eastern Europe amid rising tensions with Russia over Ukraine (BBC News)
• MEXICO: Due to Covid-19, Mexico rated "high risk" for travel by CDC (CNN)
• DENMARK: Despite rise in cases, Denmark declares Covid-19 is no longer a "critical threat," lifts all restrictions (BBC News)
• TONGA: Reeling from an eruption and tsunami, Tonga enters its first Covid-19 lockdown (Axios)