A-We often place the topic of History on a pedestal (hence why I capitalized it) in our culture. But as the reading discusses, history is a created, manipulated 'thing.' Which moment in history, before your birth, would you like to know more about? Which narratives are missing from that moment in history? Why might someone want to suppress those narratives? History is often placed on a pedestal front in cultural understanding. As per discussions in the reading, history is considered to be created, manipulated to include several narratives. Various narratives are found to be missing that have occurred from moments in history. As for example, facts regarding Jerusalem where various narratives have been found to be missing. Middle-East fights with story of Templar connections that brought treasures to Rosslyn Chapel, Scotland are missing from history. It is suppressed because unearthing the same might lead to various treasures which might be taken away from the chapel by the government. Further disclosure of such wealth from Jerusalem might also lead to agitation amongst the Jews leading to rebellion. B-Why do you think that the term 'worldview' is important to our study of intercultural communication? Do we need this concept? Does it help advance or clarify our understanding of cultures? How does this concept affect the way we communicate with others? Is there another word/concept/idea that you think would be better than 'worldview'? Intercultural communication enables understanding of all aspects of the society with its various positives and negatives. Worldview provides a more clear conception regarding understanding of cultures from their perspectives. It is related to fundamental cognitive orientation of society or individual regarding a knowledge or a point of view. It is a natural philosophy, existential, fundamental including normative postulates that has emotions, ethics, values and themes. It allows a cognitive view of the world and allows orientation towards an individual or society. Understanding this concept in a more detailed manner allows to develop a more detailed approach towards the culture. It leads to cultural interpretations as well. This Page |2
concept affects ways in which one communicates with one another hence, worldview is better. C-Narrate your experience of watching the "Christian/Atheist" episode of 30 Days. Do you think all of the participants in the episode were communicating interculturally? Why or why not? Compare your perception of Brenda to the stereotypes of atheists that the episode presents. How does Brenda reinforce or go against those stereotypes? “Christian/Atheist Episode of 30 Days” have been all through communicating reflecting their typical cultural forms. It reflects belief of an Atheist person living with Christian family for a period of 30 days with multiple occurrences as stereotypical view of Atheists. Their participants were not communicating in intercultural manner because they wanted to demonstrate typical teaching of Jesus and God from their point of view. Brenda is different when compared to her parents. The Christian family feels their point of view being attacked by Brenda’s opinions even though they expressed in most respectful manner as possible. The episode highlights intolerance in America and world, reflecting two very different types of people who can never intermingle with one another. Brenda reinforces respectfully and goes against those stereotypes by way of developing her insights into the teaching and developing a worldview of various conceptions. D-Choose one of the belief systems presented in the reading that you do not personally follow and consider their stance/belief about death. Which is most appealing to you? Which differs the most from your current belief system? How does your current belief system 'work with' or 'work against' the belief system you choose to examine in this prompt? I am an Atheist, which I follow diligently. It is a belief system where there are separate belief systemregarding life and death rejecting the existence of deities. The belief system has been most appealing to me and does not much differ from the current belief systems. Page |3
It works against sometimes with current belief systems regarding Gods and deities where there are various other connected concepts. But I differ from every point of view and am not able to establish such thoughts. Page |4