| KEYWORDS...WESTERN VALUES |
I want to ask everyone to think about the meaning of the term "non-Western" or in our specific context "Asia", "the Orient", etc. Our textbook is called the Mastepieces of the Orient.
What is it that we are trying to learn here? What are the notions about this subject matter you are bringing into this class?
Many of you mentioned being baffled and a bit fearful of the prospects
for this class. What is the source of your misgivings? Discomfort? Will
you be very comfortable with a class on American Literature? African American
Literature? On Old Testament? In a way, what I am asking is for hints about
your comfort zone. We could even think of this as a search for your own
value systems,
your bases of knowledge, of your emotional experiences. Is it entirely
"Western"? Western minded students attempting to venture into the non-Western!
If it is Western, what are the basic values
that shape your Western perspective?
Think hard about this question. What is Western in you? Can you quickly compile a list of 12 key words that could reveal your "Western values"?
The top of my list of Western values would include "modernity" and "individualism"
or is it more
accurate to call it "self-reliance? selfishness? self-orientation?"
self-centered,
confident,
jealous,
helpful,
non-cultured,
reserved,
mysterious,
confusing,
talent,
big (what all does western include,
anyway?),
poor,
over-populated.
12 Western words/ideas
1. survival of the fittest
2. technology!!!
3. individualism
4. money
5. independence
6. family
7. prying media system
8. keep to yourself
9. always striving to do better
10. goal oriented
11. scandals
12. schooling/advanced education
Jamie Carroll
12 Keywords to Western Values are:
Freedom
Justice
Supposedly fair and equal to all individuals, although this is not
always true
Materialistic
Bright
Modern
Innovative
Up to date in technology
Creative
Independent
Career Oriented
and
Sentimental.
I honestly want to learn more about non-western culture because I
believe most of the values that westerners claim to have are false.
It seems to me in some of my sociology classes that non-western individuals
have more family oriented and historical oriented views. I would
like
to see that more in our culture.
As far as having discomfort about the class, my discomfort comes from
the amount of reading done in two months and being able to understand
the content.
Dawn (Mullens) Stage
Western
Democratic
Richer
Industrialized
Better Health Care
More civilized
More Individual Freedom
More Ethical
Self Absorbed
Career Oriented
More consumer choices
Non-Western
Arranged marriages
Family is a priority
Respect for Elders
Traditions are important
Superstituous
Caste-System
These are the ones that come to mind right now.
Shelley Green
...my conceptions of non-western culture
certainly often are derived from pitting it against western culture.
In
other words, the definition lies in difference.
Western values to me are represented by the following key words:
Individualism
logocentricism
materialism
self-centeredness
privacy
proud independence
"survival of the fittest"
a false sense of superiority
history
Judeo-Christian
intellectual
just
THis took alot of thought- some of my personal beliefs can be
catogorized as:
1.freedom
2.individuality
3.moral choices
4.culture/heritage
5.honesty
6.religious beliefs (christanity)
7.respect for others
8.diversity
9.srong spirit/ perserverance
10.tolerance (not prejudice)
11.traditions
12.capitalism/money
These are not in a particular order. Ypu also addressed the meaning
of
"non-western". For me it means the other side of the world, different
culture than my own and different beliefs. This class shall get me
aquintainted with the Asian side.
Candy
Another answer to your questions- American Lit would be more of a
comfort just because we have been ingrained with it since Jr. High
or
High School. It's a famillar well worn path some of us have traveled
by
choice or directed to by a teacher. THe familarity of just the word
American conjurs up dreams of Apple pie, baseball and any other nice
warm fuzzies related to our culture. Just a thought!
The meaning of the term "non-Western"
--Not in the western Hemisphere. “The Orient” has always
fascinated me. I chose this class because it was Asian.
What is it that we are trying to learn here? What are the
notions about this subject matter you are bringing into this class?
--I’m here to learn about Asian ideals and culture, to
enrich my understanding of these people who’s culture and
History are so unlike mown.
My notions are that “Asians” are more traditional than “Americans” whether
this is due to a
lack of technological advances (definitely not the case in Japan) I
am unsure.
Better value system? If power corrupts,
and knowledge is power... you be the judge.
Our history is only two-hundred years old and I can remember
studying the "Far East" back to atleast 600-800BC and I'm
pretty sure they were here before that.
What are the basic values that shape your Western perspective?
--Freedom is why we are here in the first place.
Our ancestors stood up against oppression and made a home for themselves
here.. good ol’ U.S.A. Thousands of people come here to claim those
same rights for themselves every year.
1) individualism
2) creativity
3) independence
4) self-assurance
5) trying to impress
6) family isn't the center of society
7) commercial
8) expensive
9) nothing is private
10)apprehensive
11)self-confidence
12)modern
I feel aprehensive about this class because I have never taken a class so independently. I also think that because the only Asian anything I've read are haikus, I don't know what the writings are to be about.
Carrie
I’m here to learn about Asian ideals and culture, to enrich my understanding of these people who’s culture and History are so unlike my own.
My notions are that “Asians” are more traditional than “Americans” whether
this is do to a lack of technological advances (definitely not the case
in Japan) or the fact that America has so much to learn. Our history
is only two-hundred years old.
Freedom-beautiful, glorious, too bad if you don’t like it I’ll do what I d*m* well please because it’s MY constitutional right, Freedom.
Outspoken- this is really another aspect of freedom but I think a very important one. “I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” (regrettably I can not remember the name of the gentleman I am quoting)
Materialistic & Selfish/Self-oriented - Americans collect things.
Few seem to have the inner peace to do without fancy homes and cars (what would the neighbors think) expensive clothes and private colleges (hint. hint.)
I know I personally am prone to shopping when I’m REALLY down so I guess the next word will have to be..
Shallow- our priorities seem to be a bit skewed.
Progressive- from our government to our plumbing, we are constantly making changes in an attempt to improve our daily lives.
Jaded, Arrogant, Prejudice- don’t get me wrong, but, I see alot of people on a daily basis that seem to have forgotten that our roots don’t start here. We may be Americans now but once upon a time weren’t we also German, Irish, Albanian, Portugese, etc...
Double Standard - despite our desperate attempts to be at the head of the food chain we are still stifling our productivity by fighting amongst ourselves.
Glass Ceiling keeping women and minorities from moving up the corporate ladder, White Single Male stereotype of men that the IRS uses to hammer them on their income taxes. (Still cheaper to be single than married, so I've been told)
I am not sure how to define my "western" beliefs and values.
Here is my attempt at defining my "western-ness"
1. Definitely self-oriented
2. Technologically advanced
3. Stubborn
4. Often ignorant/uninterested of other cultures
5. Hard work
6. Tradition
7. Materialistic
8. Wasteful
9. Resourceful
10. Lazy
11. Greedy
12. Money Driven
If my memory serves me correctly from my history class, didn't "western" civilization begin with the Greeks and Romans. In other words, middle and Eastern European. So, while Asian culture was developing in one sense, western culture and its traditions were developing in another.
This would lead me to conclude that "eastern" or "non-western" civilization and culture grew and matured simultaniously.
Include me among the uninformed when it comes to thinking of India as part of the Orient.
I have always pictured it in my mind as being a vast country between Europe and Asia but I never really thought to include it with either culture.
Steve
hmmmm, 12 keywords to describe Western culture.
1. Curiosity
2. Adventure
3. "All for one, one for all"
4. Who said it couldn't be done?
5. self-reliance
6. teamwork
7. surrounded yet alone
8. "you can't stop progress"
9. blood is thicker than water (sometimes)
10. lazy
11. "Greed is good"
12. Pride
As for my own hesitancy to exploring Asian culture, I believe this is based upon my own limited knowledge of it and a reluctance sometimes to try things I am unfamiliar with.
Steve
I want to learn about the non-Western countries customs, culture, and basically about the people.
Why do the people of these countries do certain things, or act a certain way.
I also think of "Asia" or "the Orient" as being mystical and I think this is part of my discomfort of learning about "Asia."
I am interested in learning about their religious beliefs simply to know about the people of these countries for understanding.
Being a Christian and believing we can only receive salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ, the son of God, I get very uncomfortable talking about their gods and religious practices.
It also seems very laborous to learn and pronounce all the strange names of people and places.
Why are they so long and not pronounced like they are spelled in English?
My 12 key words that reveal my "Western values" would be:
Christian,
freedom to choose,
individualistic,
goal-oriented,
selflessness,
truthfulness,
skeptical,
friendly,
compassionate,
social activism,
protector,
and inventive.
I would venture to say that my values are not the "average" Western values.
Most "Westerners" are thought of as
materialistic,
self-centered,
and pleasure-seeking,
but thank goodness
not all are.
Debbie