Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Final Reflection



Reflection #4


In this course, at the beginning, i thought that learning about cultural diversity is not important and it will be useless to join this class, but when the days goes on, I discovered the opposite and that I live in a country that i don't know a lot about it. 

however, cultural diversity is not much important in studying engineering, but its much important in our lives, we learned about our own culture new information and also about other cultures and how to act and deal with other people when we face strangers. Furthermore, the most important thing that I learned is living in country with many different culture make this country more stronger. 

at the first class we made a video to identify our selves to the teacher which is a new thing to do, it was enjoyable. In addition, we made another video with groups, but it was about our culture, it was fun because I discovered new places like the museum and we sow how the tourists were gathered in the museum to know about UAE culture. The third and the last class that I enjoyed it, when the teacher made us to present a presentation in groups, so in these all classes I learned how to cooperate with my friends and do whatever the teacher give us, which is an important thing in my life.

however, 18 is the best age to teach this course, because at this age the student is in a situation that his mind is open and can discover things, and at this age, the student must know how to act with other people. the most important information I learned about, that I'm living in a country concludes over 200 different nationalities, also unfortunately that in our country there is the  modern slavery in huge numbers, I wish that in the future we will fix that problem.

I would like to have a harmony day in UAE, because as it obvious there are many different cultures in this country, although there are UAE citizens with different cultures and traditions. It would be grate to apply the idea, which is celebrating through the old sports in each culture, music and dance. In addition on the poster advertising they should write the word "respect" in every accent or language and in a small size "It's only one day but Make it your Harmony Day in your whole life" which shows how this is significant to respect others.

In conclusion, I wish that this course will expand our minds more and more and see the life more clear and in the future I would like to get rid of the slavery case.
  

Portfolio 2 - Exercise 10b


Human rights


Our government ensure human rights for the workers, to keep this country in safe by making visa for the immigrants and papers for the workers, no one work without an identify papers, which shows that trafficking is illegal. As it obvious in UAE there are not a lot of fairness, and each citizen have a right to speech but with limits, and also each person have the freedom of his religion, in addition the women have rights.

Portfolio 2 - Exercise 10a

Slavery 

There are a lot of differences from the past century and the present, one big different is that in the past slavery was illegal and there are punishments for those who had a salver, but nowadays there are 27 million slavers in the planet but we can't see it, its still illegal but no one is doing anything to solve this problem for the poor people to save them, thats why its called "modern slavery".



I checked on www.slaveryfootprint.org and I find out the result that 24 slavers work for me.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Portfolio Exercise #8b

“Outsourced” - the movie study guide

You are going to watch and create a reflection on the film "Outsourced".

These questions will help you. If you miss watching the film in class, you may get a copy from the library and watch it at home. Here are some clips from "Outsourced"

Cultural Dimensions in Outsourced
As you watch the film, answer the questions and write down any examples of different cultural dimensions. This will help you with your reflection.


Cultural Dimension
Character
Todd, Puro, Aisha or other
Outsourced Scene
or Circumstance
Low-context culture
Todd and his boss
Office
High-context culture
Aisha
Office in India
Individualism
Indian Taxi guy
Airport 
Collectivism
Indian Taxis were fighting
Airport
Low power distance
Todd and his boss
Office
High power distance
Puro with Todd
Office
Uncertainty tolerance
Todd and his boss
Office
Uncertainty avoidance
Aisha with Todd
India
Task orientation
Puro
Administrator
Social orientation
Aisha
India

Portfolio Exercise #8a


Exercise #8a:
Below is a brief explanation of the cultural dimensions:- 
·         Low-context and high-context culture.
Low-context
High-context
Westerners
Direct
Exact on time
Expect a common understanding
Orientals and Arabs
Indirect
Flexible with timings
Unspoken etiquette
·      Individualism and collectivism.
Individualism
Collectivism
Usually western people are individuals. They tend to do things on their own.
Middle Eastern cultures, especially Emiratis, tend to work as a unit or a family whether its college or going for lunch.
·         Low power distance and high power distance.
Lower power
Higher power
It’s between an employee and his boss have a close relationship.
Leader, gets respect and money, but don’t have any relationship.
·         Uncertainty tolerance and uncertainty avoidance.
Uncertainty tolerance
Uncertainty avoidance
Emiratis tend to tolerate uncertainty, for example I could say I can see you tomorrow, and the location, timing and reason not mentioned.
Japanese tend to avoid uncertainty by being sure time, place, and objective planned before hand.
.          Task orientation and social orientation.
Task orientation
Social orientation
It generally means that the primary focus and preference is the job itself.
An Emirati cares more about who is in the company, the reputation society talks about, and other factors like family, where as the task itself is not the primary focus.

Portfolio Exercise #7



Ethnocentrism Assignment – Exercise #7 EXTRA    ++
1.      Read about Ethnocentrism on Edmodo (Week #6)
Definition of Ethnocentrism: belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group.
2.      List three examples of ethnocentrism from history
-       Redskins in USA
-       Indian Nationalism.
-       Japan centrism.
3.      What country is known for being ethnocentric today?
-       Iran.
-       China.
-       USA.
4.      What is the famous quote from Shylock which reminds all of us of our humanity?
If you prick us, do we not bleed. If you tickle us, do we not laugh. If poison us, do we not die. And if you wrong us, shall we not seek revenge?
5.      Look at the two maps of ethnocentric Americans and ethnocentric Indians.