Job Discussion Forums

[blackguy-n-Asia]

Importing stereotypes of Western culture should be forbidden by the Geneva Convention.

Many teachers seem to have a need for teaching 'other cultures' by showing classy movies that are regarded as entertainment in the West. They should be careful.

An example would be:

"I teach about African culture in America by showing movies like Friday, Boyz in the Hood and Shaft. We then talk about guns, violence and drugs."

or

" I try to bring Italian culture to my students with movies like Casino, Goodfellas or showing The Sopranos."
We then have a discussion on the Mafia, cement galoshes and words like bada-bing"

or

"Watching Braveheart got my class in tune with Scotts"

Please be careful what you teach your students, there may be a budding Adolf Hitler in the class, just waiting to learn about your biased opinion of others.

[Ludwig]

It seems to me as if you hold some (somewhat worrying and wholly unexamined and unidentified) stereotypes yourself.

Since you are obviously such an expert and learned scholar in this area, (and since you employ a term taken from his founding work in what became to be known as 'political science') which aspects of Walter Lippmann's 'Public Opinion' do you find most interesting?

Anyway, thank you for the warning as regards potential budding Hilters in my classes at my university department here in Hong Kong; it is, after all, something of a common problem.

[Taiping04]

So either ludwig is finally admitting that Hongkers is part of China, or he's deluded. Again.
This is the China Job Related Forum, Tony. No-one here gives a toss about what you "do" - fantasize I guess - at "your" university.
On the topic, I must agree that showing this pap in a classroom does not constitute teaching. The carefully considered use of film as visual text is another matter.

[Ludwig]

I would have to simply retort that it actually appears as if you are you one who is quite obviously deluded; that much is beyond doubt.

Nevertheless, have fun on your twisted and perverted troll-like activities.

[David Bowles]

Without wanting to enter this bizarre and vaguely amusing exchange of vitriol, someone I knew teaching in China had a student defend Adolf Hitler as a great man with the immortal words
'It does not matter if you are good or evil, as long as you are powerful!'
Which is a neat summary of Bad Guy Philosophy No.1 (see Enter the Dragon, Macbeth, and just about anything else with bad guys in).

[Atlas]

These kids weren't born knowing the lessons of history, and all they want to do is "watch movie and play videogame, and go to swimming and go to shopping".

BGA, kudos on making a fair and valid point about how we as teachers have just a little extra responsibility to be aware of the cultural messages we are sending. We , if no one else, ought to realize the cognitively lazy-lure of reinforcing stereotypes simply for the sake of giving our movies [proven) plot lines.

Maybe historical movies can help discussion, though I'm sure if you chose any single movie someone here would lambast you for it.

Part of the problem is the medium itself. Movies are dramatic morsels depicting heroes and heroines. They are not reality, because reality is not always clear, nor exciting. But someone has to teach them to see history for what it really is. Hitler had power. Hitler also had deep psychological problems, and destroyed countless lives. Maybe certain students need a taste of the reality of these insipid fantasies of theirs. Or maybe they are just going through a phase in which they are enamored by medals and snappy uniforms, in which case, dont even bother.

It seems to strike at a deeper problem, historical apathy. Not to the affront to history teachers, but to the affront of all our own dead ancestors. And not knowing history places us in a ridiculous light. When I was proctoring an exam for another teacher, I saw one of his students had written his English name "Adolf Hitler" in big letters on his book. I held up the book, said "whose is it?", and when he sheepishly raised his hand, I said "cute name" and ripped off the cover. This kid--he and his family wouldn't have lasted a day under Hitler's boot.


The worst crime? Being complacent with one's own ignorance. This is how people like Hitler come into power. They rule over people who don' t give a damn about anything but the easy life.

[blackguy-n-Asia]

[The G-stringed Avenger]

Hmm, yes, if students have any negative pre-existing stereotypes of the West, it would be a good idea not to reinforce them. (Read - Crocodile Dundee, in my case)

Which leads me to think the Adolf Hitler thing is valid - reinforce negative stereotypes and that one loony guy is influenced into thinking we're all no good influences on China. Who knows what position he could be in in 20 years.

You could say "Well if he's a loony foreigner hater, why is he coming to my classes?" - Answer: Know your enemy.

As ambassadors for our countries, we should be showing the good parts of Western culture.

And Ludwig - do try and stick to the topic. I'm tired of you hijacking these posts and turning them into personal battlegrounds. Cheers.

Black Guy n' Asia - thanks for using my quote. Glad you like it.

[Ludwig]

[joe greene]

Ludwig, shame on you. You shouldn't be reading, much less quoting, an English translation of Wittgenstein. Only the original German will do. It is, after all, philosophy of language you're playing with.

[tarzaninchina]

Points taken.

Something I've noticed from the Chinese who've repeatedly told me this is they don't usually hold too many expectations from foreigners in terms of us doing weird things. They see us as potentially completely different, hence their somewhat stunning views.

I do find that many hold perceptions of groups, something that is common in the Chinese mindset, given that all too many Chinese don't recognize the individual all that much. Thus, I blast through stereotypes and sometimes throw them back at them to formally give them the chance to reject something that's usually untrue and unfair.

As for Ludwig, stop with your effing posts! Seriously, if that's all you have to say in your posts and replies, get off on something other than your computer screen. Seriously.