HON351, American Ideals in Global Perspective
Spring Semester 2008
Study Guide
Culture in an Era of Globalization
Readings:
Steger, ch. 5
Brook Larmer, "The Center of the World," Foreign Policy, Vol. 150, September/October 2005, pp. 66-74 (electronic reserves)
Paul Starobin, "Going Dutch," National Journal, February 28, 2004, pp. 604-11. (electronic reserves)
Other articles (optional):
Dinesh D'Souza, "War on Terror's Other Front: Cleaning up US Pop Culture," Christian Science Monitor, January 25, 2007
Questions to consider while reading Steger, chapter 5
1. Is globalization contributing to a homogenization of cultures around the world?
2. What role has the media played in spreading culture internationally?
3. What impact has globalization had on the spread and decline of languages?
4. What impact has globalization had on the environment?
Questions to consider while reading the Larmer article:
1. In what ways is Yao Ming a product of the Chinese government's sports system?
2. How has China's participation in the Olympics evolved in recent decades? How important is hosting the 2008 Olympics to China?
3. What strategies did commissioner David Sten have for globalizing the NBA?
4. How has Yao Ming been able to play such a significant role in bridging the cultural divide between the US and China?
5. To what extent have foreign players internationalized the NBA?
Questions to consider while reading the Starobin article
1. How does Dutch culture compare to American culture?
2. Do you agree with Starobin that Americans will eventually come to accept what now seem to be avante guard aspects of Dutch culture?