31 Dec Ethnocentrism is generally

DeVry SOCS350 Week 1 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

You Eat What?! (graded)

Ethnocentrism is generally defined as viewing one’s own culture as superior to all others. However, quite often, it is not quite that obvious. Whenever we encounter something that seems strange or different, we will feel some degree of discomfort. How we respond to that feeling is a gauge of how ethnocentric we are about it. Let’s suppose that you are entertaining a business client from France. You take him to a very fine french restaurant where he looks over the menu very carefully, then asks the waiter if he or she, by chance, has cheval available. The waiter shakes his head and explains that it is not served in America. Your client becomes somewhat upset and tells you that a truly fine restaurant would serve “proper” cuisine, and that he was very disappointed with American hospitality so far. He eventually settles for the prime rib, but is ill-tempered for the rest of the evening. The next morning, he leaves for France without consummating the expected business deal. Your boss asks you what happened, and you explain that the client was upset because the restaurant didn’t serve something called cheval. Your boss nearly chokes on his morning coffee and asks, “You mean he actually ordered horse meat?” How much ethnocentrism is at work? Discuss what and how a better understanding of cultural differences in food preferences by all parties could have prevented the unfortunate incident. What was your response to learning that the client wanted horsemeat? What was your response to his anger that he couldn’t get it?

dq 2

Some of My Best… (graded)

Your company is in need of someone to fill a new position. The spot calls for some very specific skills, education, and experience, but you happen to have an old friend who exactly fits the bill. In addition, he has mentioned to you that he feels it is time to make a change and has been contemplating looking for a new job. You give him a call and he says that he is very interested, so you call the head of the department in question and tell him about your friend. The department head is very excited and tells you to have him call for an interview. You do and everything seems fine. Several weeks pass and your friend calls you and asks if you have any idea what happened with the job. He interviewed and everything went well, but he never heard back and just learned that the position had been filled with someone who has no experience and a much different background. You call the department head and relay the question. After some hemming and hawing, the department head makes some vague statement about your friend not being a “good fit.” He was afraid that your friend’s “accent” might make it difficult for him to be understood, and he was concerned about his work ethic since he came from a cultural background that has a more “laidback” work ethic. You hang up and think about it. Your friend is from Jamaica and does have an accent and very relaxed personality, but is certainly not lazy. Then you realize that he is also a minority and that this particular department not only has no minority employees, but never has had one. What do you do? Is the department head being ethnocentric or prejudiced? Do you tell your friend what you were told? Do you call someone higher up and express your concerns? Do you do nothing at all?

DeVry SOCS350 Week 2 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

Culture Is in the Air (graded)

I mentioned in the week’s introduction that culture was a lot like air. It is all around us, but we really don’t pay attention to it unless it is absent or smells odd. The same is true about our culture. We don’t think much about it, and we go through our lives feeling that things are the way they are because that’s the way they ought to be. This week, start sniffing the cultural air around you. What do you learn about our culture? Identify some things that are distinctively “American.” Don’t just use material culture (objects and physical symbols), but include non-material culture such as language, values, ideology, ethics, behaviors, and the like. What is it that makes us distinctive in the world?

dq 2

Power Relationships (graded)

A cellphone company once ran a television ad touting its call reliability, in which a young man is talking to his future father-in-law, who is telling him to address him by his first name and consider him a friend. The young man launches into a series of variations of the first name. Unknown to either party, the call is dropped and the young man does not hear any response from the father. He becomes very nervous and disconcertedly reverts to “Mr.” and “Sir.” The ad’s message is clear: Use our service and this sort of thing won’t happen.

Why do you think the ad agency chose this power relationship for its commercial, and is it one to which you can relate??Have you had any kind of similar experience (not necessarily on a cellphone)?

DeVry SOCS350 Week 3 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

Take a Walk (graded)

Let’s start this discussion by sharing public observations. Spend time either walking around or sitting and watching people in a very busy public place. Look for things that you associate with people from race/ethnic, cultural, gender, and social-class backgrounds that are different from your own. Look for the kinds of common interactions or behaviors between different groups and those like your own. For example, do they acknowledge the other’s presence if eye contact happens to occur? Do any behaviors change in the presence of other groups?

Consider what you expect to see based on your assumptions and understandings about persons of different backgrounds (how you expect them to dress, walk, talk, interact with each other, interact with others, etc). Make note of those things that catch your attention. Pay special attention to what you don’t see as well and share your observations with the class.

dq 2

Gender Roles (graded)

When traveling to other countries for business, it is important to know the male/female roles in each country. Not knowing these roles could cause problems in discussions and negotiations. If you were traveling to Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Brazil, Thailand, the Czech Republic, Russia, or Rwanda, what would you need to know about the traditional male/female roles? Search the Internet for one or more of the above countries to find out about male/female roles. Share your findings with the class.

DeVry SOCS350 Week 4 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

Triggers (graded)

Triggers are ethnocentric responses to differences and defensive reactions to ethnocentrism. Any number of things can serve as triggers, but they generally fall into the following categories: voice, appearance, attitude, and behavior. Describe a trigger that you have responded to in the past, even if it was only a fleeting mental thought.

dq 2

Diverse Groups (graded)

If we look at the term diversity as different groups, we can include groups such as Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y. What are some differences between the Baby Boomer group and the Generation Y group when it comes to the work force? What are some of the major differences between these groups, and how can any obstacles be overcome to create a successful organization?

DeVry SOCS350 Week 5 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

Blocked Responses (graded)

Do a Library search for an articles about Robert Merton’s Structural Strain Theory. This theory talks about the kinds of responses that one might expect when the “normal” legitimate means to acquiring the “good” stuff in life is blocked. The block can be deliberate or the result of social structure. What advice would you have for any individual who exhibits these responses?

dq 2

The Glass Ceiling (graded)

We often hear about the “glass ceiling.” Does it still exist? Are there invisible barriers to advancement that impact some groups more than others? Use examples from the course reading to support your points, and feel free to share your own experiences with the glass ceiling.

DeVry SOCS350 Week 6 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

Examining Strategies (graded)

Review the link to the documentary, A Class Divided, which can be found in the Week 6 Lecture. What strategies does the teacher, Jane Elliott, use to address prejudice and discrimination? How does the strategy vary according to the audience (children or adults in this case)? Try to connect the strategies presented in the documentary to the strategies discussed in this week’s lecture or course reading.

dq 2

Traditions and Cultures (graded)

In our diverse society, how do we honor the traditions and cultures of so many varied groups without inadvertently disadvantaging anyone? How can we develop strategies to ensure that cultural traditions are respected and preserved while recognizing our commonalities?

DeVry SOCS350 Week 7 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

Coming Full Circle on Research (graded)

Research is fundamental in the social sciences. A common data collection method is the survey. Let’s look at the survey as a social scientist.

Navigate to the DeVry portal (http://my.devry.edu). Now, let’s discuss the merits and flaws of this survey instrument. Which questions would you add? Which would you delete? What questions would you change? What questions would you keep the same?

dq 2

Appreciating Our Differences (graded)

We have been talking about the importance of understanding our own attitudes and prejudices in order to appreciate cultural differences. In light of this topic, why is it important? How have you dealt with situations in which you did or said things that you later learned or realized might have been offensive, or at least misunderstood?

DeVry SOCS350 Week 2 , 4 & 8 Course Project

Overview and Guidelines

From Understanding and Managing Diversity by Harvey and Allard.

An important part of our course is researching information on diversity and multiculturalism and its social, cultural, and ethical impact upon individual citizens, groups of people, and society at large. In the twenty-first century, Web sites are an important channel of communication between organizations and their external stakeholders. If an organization is serious about its commitment to diversity, one would expect that this would be reflected in the design, content, and graphics of the Web site. Potential employees, customers, suppliers, etc., often turn first to a Web site before initiating interaction with an organization. If diversity is really integral to the mission and values of an organization, information on diversity should be easily accessible, informative, and well integrated into the Web site.

You will select a specific company in an industry such as healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing government, education, sports, etc. Then, prepare a report on the following:

Evaluate how accessible diversity-related material is on this Web site. Is there a direct link from the home page? What type of results does entering the term “diversity” in a search box yield? Or, do you have to explore on your own? Sometimes searching under “careers” or “press releases” may produce some diversity-related results. On some Web sites, you will have to explore deeply into Web pages to find material related to diversity. What does this say about the organization’s commitment to diversity?

Evaluate the usefulness of the diversity information to potential employees, customers, and suppliers. Is the diversity material related to the organization’s business case for diversity, core values, mission, etc. the way that the organization does business? How current is the diversity-related material?

Evaluate the appropriateness of the photographs and graphic material that relates to diversity. Some Web sites will feature photographs of diverse employees and customers, yet not link this material to the verbal content. Some reuse the same pictures on different pages, etc.

Assume that you are a) a potential employee, b) a potential customer and c) a potential supplier or subcontractor. What perceptions might you have about this organization’s commitment to diversity based solely on the Web site? Looking at this Web site, do you think that it encourages or discourages diverse employees to apply for jobs in this organization? Why or why not?

What internal management issues can affect the prominence that diversity gets or doesn’t get on an organization’s Web site?

Are there any diversity awards listed on the Web site? If so, review the criteria and selection process as presented in the Allard article on awards (from the textbook) or if the award is not mentioned in that article. Evaluate the value of the award through the sponsoring organization’s Web site.

If you were a (female, over 55, racial minority, person with a physical challenge, gay or lesbian, etc.) job applicant and you have read an ad for job opening for which you are fully qualified. Based on your audit of the company web site what perceptions might you have of this company before you even walk in the door? Would you still apply for the job? Why or why not?

Primary Dimensions Include:

Age

Gender

Mental/Physical abilities

Race

Ethnic Heritage

Sexual Orientation

Secondary Dimensions Include:

Geographic Location

Military and Work Experience

Family Status

Income

Religion

First Language

Education

Organizational Role

Level Communication

Work Styles

You will submit the report in three sections throughout the course, with a due date for each section. These due dates are posted on the Course Schedule.

The Course Project should be 6-8 pages in length. Your 4 relevant scholarly/peer reviewed sources may include your textbook and books and articles obtained through the DeVry library. Credible articles from news, government (.gov), or academic (.edu) websites can also be used; acceptable examples include NPR, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Business Week. Do not use Wikipedia and similar encyclopedia websites, such as about.com or “cheat” websites like coursehero or chegg.Please review the detailed instructions for each phase of the project, which you can find in the Assignment tab for that week. Your project will be graded as follows.

Week 2: Students will submit the research paper topic proposal. 45 points

Week 4: Students will submit the reference list and outline of their research paper. 100 points

Week 8: Students will submit the final version of their research paper. 200 points

APA Style Tutorial

TutorialAPA Guidelines for Citing Sources Click on the link above to view the video. This video will give you a quick introduction to APA guidelines for citing sources. Highlights include purposes of citing, guidelines and examples of how to cite sources in text and at the end of a paper, and how to format a reference list or an entire paper.

The assignment must be placed ONLY in the Dropbox. E-mailed submissions will not be accepted.

Dropbox

Submit your assignment to the Dropbox, located at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read these step-by-step instructions.

See the Syllabus section “Due Dates for Assignments & Exams” for due date information.

DeVry SOCS350 Week 6 You decide

You Decide

Review the You Decide activity provided this week and complete the assignment.

Submit your assignment to the Dropbox, located at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read these step-by-step instructions.

See the Syllabus section “Due Dates for Assignments & Exams” for due date information.

DeVry SOCS350 Week 1 Quiz

1. Question :

(TCOs 1 & 2) The existence of a wide variety of cultures and subcultures represented within a society is _____.

marginalization

culture

cultural diversity

culturally different

cultural diffusion

Question 2. Question :

(TCOs 1 & 2) Collections of persons from common racial or ethnic backgrounds who share common cultural interests are _____.

a race

culturally diverse

a culture

culturally different

racial/ethnic communities

Question 3. Question :

(TCOs 1 & 2) Evaluating cultural differences in relationship to one’s own cultural standards is _____.

stereotyping

marginalization

discrimination

ethnocentrism

prejudice

Question 4. Question :

(TCOs 1 & 2) This occurs as a result of longstanding practices and/or behaviors that have a negative impact on members of subordinate groups:

individual discrimination.

institutional discrimination.

ethnocentrism.

marginalization.

globalization.

Question 5. Question :

(TCO 8) The key to social dominance lies primarily with control over:

political power, the economic system, the media, and the religious system.

political power, the economic system, the educational system, and the religious system.

political power, the currency, the educational system, and the media.

political power, the economic system, the educational system, and the healthcare system.

political power, the economic system, the educational system, and the media.

Question 6. Question :

(TCO 1) A negative way of thinking based on irrational evaluations about members of a particular group is _____.

discrimination

prejudice

ideology

racism

ethnocentrism

Question 7. Question :

(TCO 8) Because minority groups have been marginalized over time, their relationship with the majority group is generally framed in terms of:

formal communication.

distrust.

an uneasy truce.

conflict.

affection.

Question 8. Question :

(TCO 8) According to Robert Merton, the restaurant owner who is strongly biased against a customer because of the confederate flag and racist bumper stickers on their Ford F150, yet greets and serves that customer as they would any other, would be a:

unprejudiced nondiscriminator.

prejudiced nondiscriminator.

prejudiced discriminator.

unprejudiced discriminator.

politically prejudiced discriminator.

Question 9. Question :

(TCO 1 & 2) Prejudice is defined as:

a negative way of thinking based on irrational evaluations about members of a particular racial group.

a negative way of thinking based on irrational evaluations about members of a different gender.

a negative way of thinking based on irrational evaluations about members of a different sexual orientation.

a negative way of thinking based on rational evaluations about members of a particular group.

a negative way of thinking based on irrational evaluations about members of a particular group.

Question 10. Question :

(TCO 1 & 2) Marginalization is defined as

the process of diminishing the value, importance, contributions, or attributes of a category of people.

the process of gentrification.

the displacement of inner-city residents due to urban renewal.

seating minorities near the kitchen and “on the margins” in restaurants.

societal triage.

DeVry SOCS350 Week 3 Quiz

Question 1. Question :

(TCOs 3 & 4) The intangible world of ideas created by members of a society is _____.

nonmaterial culture

material culture

culture

language

ideology

Question 2. Question :

(TCOs 3 & 4) The disconnect in a society that occurs when material culture changes more rapidly than nonmaterial culture is _____.

globalization

marginalization

discrimination

cultural diversity

cultural lag

Question 3. Question :

(TCOs 3 & 4) The process that occurs when concepts, ideas, language, and behaviors cross cultural boundaries is _____.

cultural diffusion

cultural lag

marginalization

discrimination

cultural diversity

Question 4. Question :

(TCOs 3 & 4) An esoteric language used by a sub-group to communicate with one another, generally not well understood by outsiders and services as a barrier of understanding between the dominant culture and subculture, is called:

a vernacular.

a language.

an argot.

a symbol.

a dialect.

Question 5. Question :

(TCO 6) Intermarriage, or interbreeding between persons of different racial groups, is called _____.

acculturation

assimilation

miscegenation

identity

biculturalism

Question 6. Question :

(TCO 6) Which of the following is true of symbols?

Symbols only contain material culture representation.

Symbols only contain nonmaterial culture representation.

Symbols contain neither material nor nonmaterial culture representation.

Symbols contain both material and nonmaterial representation.

The finest are made by Zildjian.

Question 7. Question :

(TCO 6) What is the basis for minority groups’ experience and identity? What made them who they are and shaped the world in which they live?

The Cold War

Politics

The Industrial Revolution

History

Religious values

1. Question :

(TCO 3, 4 & 6) From the reading in Chapter 18, identify and give examples of three of the gender gaps that need to be narrowed.

DeVry SOCS350 Week 5 Quiz

1. Question :

(TCOs 4 & 7) Something that can generate ethnocentric responses or defensive reactions, such as voice, appearance, attitude, or behavior, is called _____.

acculturation

ethnic identity

racial identity

miscegenation

a trigger

Question 2. Question :

(TCOs 4 & 7) This trigger includes distinctive accents, speech patterns, inflections, and slang:

appearance.

voice.

attitude.

behavior.

manners.

Question 3. Question :

(TCO 8) The relative ranking of one’s position in society and its honor and respect refers to _____.

power

economics

socioeconomic status

autonomy

prestige

Question 4. Question :

(TCO 4 & 7) An example of attitude as a “trigger” would be:

implicit design.

explicit design.

biological maturation.

spatial proximity.

orbital decay

Question 5. Question :

(TCOs 4 & 7) An example of behavior as a “trigger” would be:

race.

accent.

posture.

etiquette and manners.

ethics.

Question 6. Question :

(TCO 8) Which of the following is an example of an ascribed status?

Mother

(

)

U.S. Senator

(

)

Veteran

(

)

Daughter

(

)

President of the United States

(

)

Question 7. Question :

(TCO 8) Which of the following is an example of an achieved status?

Son

Daughter

Uncle

Mother

Cousin

Question 1. Question :

(TCO 4, 7 & 8) Name three categories of ethical theories introduced in the book. Describe their main points or basic philosophy. Identify which theory would be best to deal with issues of cultural diversity and explain why.

DeVry SOCS350 Week 7 Quiz

1. Question :

(TCOs 3 & 4) Diversity actions mandated by government regulations are collectively known as _____.

diversity training

cultural awareness

affirmative action

reverse discrimination

edicts

Question 2. Question :

(TCO 1 & 3) Where does American ideology place educational attainment on the hierarchy of requirements for success?

At the very top

Right after “inherited wealth”

In the middle

Right after “successful career”

At the very bottom

Question 3. Question :

(TCOs 7 & 8) According to the lecture, the strategy for dealing with cultural diversity is a _____ step process.

12

10

3

5

4

Question 4. Question :

(TCOs 7 & 8) What step in the strategies for dealing with cultural diversity is “Tailor your approach based on your definition of the situation?”

First

Second

Fourth

Sixth

Last

1. Question :

(TCO 1) Describe three of the corporations and their best practices for work-life balance issues listed in the Harvey article in Chapter 46.

Question 2. Question :

(TCO 3) Identify and contrast three of the programmatic diversity initiatives described in the Harvey article in Chapter 45.