Module 15 Lesson Plan 2 - Cross Cultural Psychology

Returning to America: 
The Native Americans
(The French, English, and Greek Imprint)

European Daily Language Blooper

In a Belgrade hotel elevator:
"To move the cabin, push button for wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one should press a number of wishing floor. Driving is then going alphabetically by national order."

In Paris hotel elevator:
"Please leave your values at the front desk."

In a hotel in Athens:
"Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours 9 and 11 AM. daily."

crosscultural.com

Spend a Moment  (Central American currencies)

web of culture.com

Review - Group Thoughts

1.   Think about Parts I, II, and III of the course which emphasized The Culture in America, International Cultures, and Family Culture in America.  In which parts of the course do your thoughts linger?  Were you more appreciative and involved in particular countries, readings, or in-class activities?

2.  What advice would you give to students preparing to study Cross-Cultural Psychology?

Class/Internet Activities

           1.  Any remaining Family-tree briefings will be completed.

           2.  Optional Viewing:  The Native Americans
While the Spanish became colonial emperors west of the Mississippi River, French fur traders, and English settlers brought additional European influence to Indian tribes dwelling east of the Mississippi.  Though Thomas Jefferson provided an antidote to strong centralized federal government advocated by Federalists like George Washington and the Adams families, Thomas Jefferson side-stepped the Constitution and concluded a treaty for the purchase of the Louisiana Territory.  He subsequently received the assent of Congress and doubled the size of the American empire.  Though Americans had come to this country for religious freedom, to escape famine or war in Europe, or because they were captured, and sold into slavery, the European Americans proved themselves equally intolerant of native American Indian tribes.  Land is not bought or sold, but held in common interest by Indians who regard it, like other hunters and gatherers, as embodying spirits, mythology, and stories consistent with preserving or providing stability to their own way of life.  The Indian cultures do not underestimate the importance of maintaining respect for nature, and preserving their game (the buffalo and other animals) through stewardship that recognizes the vitality or spirit of those animals necessarily killed.  In the video The Native Americans we observe the broken promises, the deliberate forced evacuation, and the pressures brought to bear by European Americans upon native American Indians.

           3.  Optional Viewing:  American Visions - Volume 1 - The Republic of Virtue
Time may not permit, but there is an interesting parallel in the history of this country between the path chosen by the Thai king in the 1860s for his country and the designs taken on behalf of the United States chosen by Thomas Jefferson.  In Thailand, a conscious effort was made to import culture from China, France, Greece, and the United States, and the buildings and art created still exist for the Thai people to appreciate today.  In America, Thomas Jefferson succeeded in creating a public architecture for government buildings which is decidedly different from that of the English, French, and Spanish who had ruled this country.  Jefferson also turned toward Greece and sought to incorporate the beauty and symmetries of Greek and Roman architecture to show off the new republic.  You can watch America create its own public architecture, emboss its newly minted coins and dollars, and appreciate George Washington's interest in preferring a design for our flag by viewing American Visions - Volume 1 - The Republic of Virtue.  The video includes a comparison between styles preferred by the English, such as those seen in colonial Williamsburg, with the design ultimately used throughout our Capitol in the District of Columbia.

Summary

           1.  Some modern writers Toni Morrison point out that to be American and enjoy America, one must be born white, and be of European origin.  Virtually all American presidents have held such credentials.  But this point of view, even if valid, is itself a racial point of view offering little future solace for those not holding such credentials.  A different point in fact is that the ethnic and demographic composition of America is changing rapidly enough to forecast that immigrants, especially Spanish persons in American culture will assume an increasing role in decision-making in America by the middle of this century.

Homework

1.  Read Chapter Thirty "Gender Stereotyping in Global Perspective" pages 159-163 in Cross-Cultural Perspectives in America.  Answer the following questions in your notebook:

2.  On the day of the final exam, turn in your essay on  And Keep Your Powder Dry.   You should pick up your notebook and take it home with you on that day.

Customary European Behaviors (Other than my own)

"All people smile in the same language" ---- Unknown

A nation's capitol reflects its aspirations, its dreams, and its power.  These three concepts were taken from other societies and embedded in American architectural culture, by Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.