Abstract This paper examines the globalization of culture and how the American popular culture shapes it. It investigates how economic dominance, communications technologies, social and political events influence global mass media. The paper also describes the role of the English language in creating a single world culture.
From the Paper "When we look at the dominant form of culture that characterizes our society today, it is often referred to as "globalization". But to many, this idea of a unified world is characterized by the concept of "Americanization". To a large extent, the shared culture around the world is becoming more and more influenced by American culture. There are many reasons for this, but primarily these are the result of the economic dominance of that nation, the development of global systems of communication, and the spread of English as the new international language. The following paper will address all of these issues in order to fully understand the reasons why the United States has a stranglehold on the global market in mass culture."
Abstract MTV is considered a station that supports and perpetuates dangerous stereotypes and contributes to the dumbing down of 18-24 year olds all over the world. This paper examines literature and published studies on the subject where the common thread is noted that MTV contributes to a low level of self esteem, eating disorders, violence and gender stereotypes among young people.
From the Paper "The portrayal of women in MTV music videos and commercials made for MTV have been the subject of controversy for a long time. According to Else, males who watch MTV have a "greater belief in rape myths, more conservative sex-role stereotyping, greater belief in sex role stereotyping, greater belief in adversarial relationships between the sexes, more conservative attitudes towards women, lower ratings of victim injury in a date-rape scenario, and a greater tendency to classify events in a date rape scenario as forced sex rather than rape" (Else, 1995).
Given the amount of time young men spend watching MTV, is it any surprise that the incidence of rape is as high as it is in the United States? If this study resembles reality at all, these young men don?t even think they have done anything wrong. MTV is promoting an attitude that is physically dangerous for young women and dangerous also for the young men, who will be surprised to find themselves in jail for crimes they did not even know they were committing. That is, if the female, who has been drained of self-esteem by this very institution has the courage and the self respect left to press charges against him."
Abstract During the fifties, America experienced tremendous growth in many aspects of society. As a result, technological advancements led to sophisticated aspects of American life. Media and advertising became mass media and the invention of the television paved the way to a new generation of communication. The paper shows that a result of this growth, which continues to have an impact on society, was the rise of the "popular" or mass culture - a movement that utilizes the imagery and techniques of consumerism?. This paper focuses on the negative aspects of popular culture on high culture (and therefore, on society), pointing out more than anything, that it devalues all the finer aspects of society.
From the Paper "Architecture has also been influenced by what is considered to be modern or pop movements. Buildings constructed in geometric forms "sheathed in glass and steel" startled people in the fifties. However, the most striking buildings earned ?a well-deserved reputation for innovation and beauty, such as the United Nations complex in New York City. Jackson Polluck, a painter who initially rejected the idea of abstract pop art, became famous for dripping and spattering paint on buildings as opposed to brushing them on. Examples of the outlandish types of buildings created in the name of popular art in the early fifties is a restaurant built in the shape of a hamburger and gas stations built to look like they were flying in the wind (Davidson 1150)."
Tags: Abstract, Expressionism, Edouard, M?trailler, MTV, A, Clockwork, Orange.
Abstract This paper discusses how American culture has defined the Native American throughout our history which finally translates to a stereotypical representation in film/mascots. This essay discusses aspects from as far back as Colombus' letters, to 20th century movies.
From the Paper "The true image of Native Americans has been an issue of much debate concerning their inaccurate portrayal in film, literature, and even representatives of schools and sporting teams as mascots. The depiction in such forms of what a Native American is relies heavily on the much-loaded mental imagery of the Indian in the minds of our modern society. This imagery is based upon the Hollywood representation of the Native Americans, and the lack of knowledge, and true respect, of the Native American within our culture. Hollywood's characterization of the Indian peoples has narrowed our culture's thought on the idea of the Indian to a popular image. This image in itself was perpetuated previous to Hollywood's version of the Indian, and only continued in our popular culture by western films. This popular image is of the stereotypical Indian; face painted, feathered, aggressive, dancing and hollering, and living in teepees. It has been the struggle of modern Native American groups to seek acceptance of the Indian, with mutual respect of their traditions and images, and to put an end to such poor representations."
Abstract Discusses ways in which movies, television, radio, print and the Internet influence teenage attitudes, self-image and behaviors. Negative effects of media emphasis on thinness. Relationship between media & self-esteem. How film, TV & music affirm the validity of sexual activity for teens; alcohol use. Aggression & violence.
From the Paper "The Effect of Media on Teenagers
The media exerts an enormous, almost a normative influence, over the lives of men, women, adolescents and children. It influences, particularly among teenagers, the ways in which individuals and groups dress, talk, behave, and think (Teen People, p. 28). The media, in the forms of movies, television, radio, and print as well as the new electronic communications medium of the Internet, helps to connect individuals to one another and to the world; invariably, this powerful influence shapes the ways in which viewers or participants perceive the world and their own place within that world. Given that teenagers are often highly impressionable and subject to such influences, this report will consider the effects of media on this particular age group. Specifically, the report will consider the ways..."
Abstract Discusses the role of communication. How the use of interpersonal communication skills can be used to deal with conflict involved in divorce. The social process of interpersonal communication. The role trust plays. Behavioral system balance. Conflict avoidance. The sociology and psychology of emotions. Various therapeutic theories and approaches. Need for open communication.
From the Paper "ROLE OF COMMUNICATION IN CONFLICT MANAGEMENT RELATED TO DIVORCE
Introduction
This research reviews and analyzes the role of communication in conflict management strategies applied in couples situations involving divorce. The presentation of the findings of the review discuss (1) interpersonal communication, (2) behavioral system balance, (3) conflict avoidance, and (4) communication in couples situations involving divorce or the potential of divorce.
Interpersonal Communication
Dealing effectively with situations involving interpersonal conflict requires the development and use of interpersonal communication skills. Interpersonal communication is defined as the process linking discontinuous living entities with one ..."
Abstract This paper examines how there are currently two different strands of discussion dealing with the causes of domestic violence, or more specifically, the causes of male violence toward women. The first strand is feminist in tone, linking violence against women directly to sexism. The second strand is more generally psychological, viewing violence against women as the product of a multitude of factors. Through an extensive literature review, this paper looks at how violence is motivated and its relationship with the level of communication between the married couple as well as its treatment.
Outline
Introduction
Methodological Issues
Communication Problems and Violence
Differing Approaches
Treatment
Conclusions
From the Paper "It is also helpful to distinguish between types of abusers. In one recent, complex study, Jacobson and Gottman (1998) identified two different types of abusive men. One type - the Pit Bull - is depicted as driven by insecurity and dependence, while the other type - the Cobra - tends to view violence simply as part of life. The former type has more potential for change through the teaching of new skills, including communication skills. The Cobra, however, is described as more violent and more intractably violent. These are individuals who may have sufficient interpersonal skills, but may not use them."
Abstract This paper analyzes William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet" and Prokofiev's ballet version and shows how, because Prokofiev's ballet is quite lengthy and leaves out few elements of Shakespeare's version, the two works provide an unusual opportunity to compare verbal and non-verbal approaches to telling the same story. It examines how Shakespeare's language requires actors to render some very beautiful, intensely lyrical passages in a manner that approximates, without really becoming, natural speech. In comparison, it looks at how in the ballet the heightened emotions between the two protagonists can only be expressed in the music and the movements of their bodies. It shows how they must, in essence, communicate non-verbally what Shakespeare conveyed in some of the most famous speeches he ever wrote.
From the Paper "One of the best scenes for comparison is the most famous in the play, the balcony scene in Act II, scene 2. Here the lovers speak almost freely for the first time. They declare their love and commitment and are reluctant to part even though they must. This is one scene where Prokofiev's score had to accommodate the differences between a ballet and a play -- the challenges of presenting a story nonverbally. In Shakespeare's play Romeo returns to the Capulet house after the party and sees Juliet as she comes out to stand on her balcony. The conversation between the lovers is dangerous and fraught with suspense and it is frustrating, as they express their intense longing to be together and wonder whether they will ever find a way to accomplish this."
Abstract This paper looks at several factors which would determine the successful marketing of a celebrity. It looks at issues such as target markets, the celebrity's selling points and timing. The paper also looks at the advantages and disadvantages of the media as a tool to promote a celebrity.
From the Paper "Timing is everything! This phrase refers to the concept that the key to success in promotion is to make sure that the time is exactly right for a particular event. This requires a keen sense of awareness of trends in the American scene. American history is filled with examples of events that could have been successful had the timing been right. The most blatant example of ill-conceived timing is the eight-track recorder. It was a good product but the tastes of the public had not been analyzed, and the cassette recorder took over the market."
Abstract This paper examines how with capitalism and materialism gaining momentum,for a work place to be proficient in terms of quality, quantity and performance, it is highly essential that it concentrates on the moral content of organizational decision-making. It looks at how today, ethics is a major concern for global business and how the ethics of a workplace are only as much intact as the morality of its workforce. It evaluates how business enterprises are expected to work on how to modify the individual attitude in order to help business flourish and keep all employees satisfied and how incorporating and communicating ethics is a major concern and a challenge for the worldwide business.
From the Paper "Moreover, unethical behavior in the workplaces arising from the lack of ethical communication by the top management to the first-line supervisors proves the fact that employees are either directly or indirectly rewarded for unethical acts or harshly abandoned for going against the norm of practicing corruption (Zimmerman, 2001, p. 119). As explained by Jansen and Von Glinow through their exhaustive study that encouraging "counternorms" in an organization is also a form of promoting unethical standards in a company in order to save the firm's name or to avoid charges thereby reflecting the decreasing ethical communication in organizations. These experts believe that "within organizations, it is often considered not only acceptable but desirable, to be much more secretive and deceitful. The practice of stonewalling, willingly hiding relevant information is quite common (that fully supports our thesis statement). One reason for this is that organizations may actually punish those who are too open and honest" (Ronald & Sims, 1992, p. 505)."
Abstract This paper looks at examples taken from "USA Today" and the "Washington Post" which related to the recent Gulf War and the reasons for President Bush "had to" launch the war against Iraq. The paper argues that the media is an incredibly powerful force which has the ability to manipulate the minds and hearts of the American people.
From the Paper "Noam Chomsky writes that, ?propaganda is to a democracy what violence is to a dictatorship.? Indeed, nowhere is this more clear than in recent debates over the impending war with Iraq. On one side of the fence, the conservative Right argues that war is essential and that Iraq is in league with Al Qaeda. They argue that Saddam Hussein is developing weapons of mass destruction which he would like to unleash on the free world. On the other side of the fence, the liberal Left argues that such a preemptive war is ?unjust,? and that there is no definitive proof that Hussein was ever in league with Osama Bin Laden or that he has developed weapons of mass destruction. They worry that a unilateral strike on Iraq sets a disturbing precedent, that it presents the United States as unreasonable and willing to employ force to protect any interest it so desires."
Tags: gulf, hussein, saddam, usa, today, washington, post
Compares and analyzes the book "The Culture of Fear: Why Americans are Afraid of the Wrong Things" (Barry Glassner) and "The Stranger Next Door" (Arlene Stein) which deal with false beliefs.
Abstract A major question that can be asked in the study of sociology is how members of society come to believe the things they do. The next question that can be asked is what happens if members of society come to believe things that are not true. Two books that deal with this subject are "The Culture of Fear: Why Americans are Afraid of the Wrong Things" by Barry Glassner and "The Stranger Next Door" by Arlene Stein. Both of these books describe different means of people arriving at the wrong conclusions, different types of false beliefs and different impacts of these beliefs. However, the one thing the two books do share is a focus on illustrating how people in society can come to believe the wrong things. The purpose of each book is to allow people to see that their beliefs can be influenced and that this can create an incorrect view of issues impacting society and themselves. This paper critically analyzes and compares both books. It begins by detailing the argument of each book and comparing the arguments. The evidence each author uses is then be considered. The impact each author has on their book is the next consideration, including whether their own views have helped or hindered an understanding of the social issues they are discussing. Finally, the analysis is concluded by judging each book overall to determine which author is most effective in making a convincing argument.
From the Paper "The argument of Glassner's book is summed up by the titled, The Culture of Fear: Why Americans are Afraid of the Wrong Things. Glassner argues that the majority of fears that the public have are grossly exaggerated. The exaggeration that occurs is attributed mainly to the media, who tend to report on certain items to increase ratings. The reality in this is that what happens everyday is not as interesting to the public as what happens rarely. For this reason, car crashes do not get a lot of media coverage. In short, car crashes are too normal an occurrence to be considered major news. In contrast, a plane crash will be reported because it is rare enough to warrant public interest. Glassner notes the same occurrence on talk shows and in magazines. The individual with a common disease, even if serious or fatal, is not likely to gain much media coverage. However, the individual with a rare disease is likely to gain media coverage, because of the rarity. In short, if something is rare in some way, it is likely to be seen in the media."
Tags: exaggeration, Oregon, Citizens, Alliance, homosexuality, CAN
This paper discusses the censoring of music videos by state and federal legislators by passing laws to make selling minors music videos with objectionable language, violence or sexual nature, without parental consent, a crime advisories.
Abstract This paper explains that the censoring of music videos is similar to tactics with movies and video games that failed. The paper points out the reasons for this failure are the same for music videos: Freedom of speech, the questionable validity of studies that warn about harmful affects of violence and sexual content on children and the responsibility of parents versus store owners in supervising youth's actions. The author believes that this indeed makes the United States a better country for everyone.
From the Paper "Naturally, those who take the other point of view can point to their own studies, which say that music videos alter sexual views. However, where such studies fall short is that they cannot be conducted in a vacuum. Today's kids are assailed with sexual imagery -- in magazines, ads, movie trailers, and posters. At home, more than half of all television programs -- 56 percent -- contain some sexual material, according to a recent study by the Parents Television Council, a nonpartisan advocacy group. In the last decade, the frequency of sexual interactions more than tripled during primetime viewing hours."
Abstract This paper summarizes the communication process and its key components. It shows that from the study of communication, it can be simply understood that communication is an exciting and extensive subject that seeks to establish the process of how we interrelate with one another. The paper argues that one of the most important steps to this understanding is to gain an initial knowledge of the process of communication. The art of getting one's message across effectively is a fundamental part of being a successful manager. The paper uses an example from the author's own work environment to illustrate an unsuccessful communication process.
From the Paper ""Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages with attached meaning" (Schermerhorn, Hunt and Osborn, 2000), and has two key components: Source and Receiver. A Source may be an individual or organization that is seeking communication, in other words sent information is in transmittable form to the Receiver. Receiver may be also an individual or organization to whom information has been sent. Such information is transmitted via different communication channels. The successful completion of the communication process depends upon the correct choice of communication channels."
Abstract This essay discusses how genders express themselves differently in the form of non-verbal communications. Women usually display greater skill at sending and receiving nonverbal messages.
