Deck 1: Opening the Conversation - Studying Intercultural Communication

Question 1

Which of the following is true about globalization?

A) Globalization has hindered interaction and interconnection between people from diverse cultures.
B) Globalization has created greater equality and access to resources for all.
C) Globalization has slowed down due to advances in communication and transportation technologies.
D) Globalization is deeply rooted in European colonization and Western imperialism.

Answer 1

Globalization is deeply rooted in European colonization and Western imperialism.

Question 2

Which of the following is true about the field of cultural studies?

A) It is a unidisciplinary field of study.
B) It aims to develop objective approaches to the study of culture in everyday life.
C) It examines the broader historical and political context within which cultural practices are situated.
D) It does not aim to critique social inequalities, but instead just describes them.

Answer 2

It aims to develop objective approaches to the study of culture in everyday life.

Question 3

When studying culture using an anthropological definition of culture, you would explore:

A) how a group of people use symbols to create a shared meaning.
B) how power is passed down from generation to generation.
C) how meanings assigned to a symbol are negotiated and contested.
D) how culture is used as a resource for economic development and social change.

Answer 3

how a group of people use symbols to create a shared meaning.

Question 4

The cultural studies definition of culture assumes that

A) culture is a shared system of meaning.
B) culture is shared by everyone.
C) culture is an apparatus of power and system of domination.
D) culture is a means for achieving social, economic, and cultural goals.

Question 5

Which of the following is true of hegemony?

A) It is defined as domination through consent by Antonio Gramsci.
B) It is dominance with the explicit use of force and forms of coercion.
C) It operates when the goals, ideas, and interests of the middle class are normalized and institutionalized.
D) It ensures power is shared equally by all members of society.

Question 6

Myra is interested in understanding how people associate various and sometimes opposing meanings to the American flag, from the symbol of patriotism, proud national history, to the critique of U.S. hegemony around the world. Which approach to culture would Myra find most useful?

A) Anthropologic approach
B) Cultural Studies approach
C) Globalization approach
D) Semiotic approach

Question 7

Abed is interested in understanding how people who practice Hinduism construct a shared worldview through the use of symbols, images, and scriptures. Which approach to culture would he find most useful?

A) Anthropologic approach
B) Cultural studies approach
C) Globalization approach
D) Semiotic approach

Question 8

Which area defines culture as a resource?

A) cultural studies.
B) globalization.
C) anthropological definition of culture.
D) intercultural definition of culture.

Question 9

Despite the fact the United States is described as a "melting pot," the definition of American culture and who is considered an "American" are constantly disputed and negotiated. This is an example of culture as ______.

A) a site of shared meaning.
B) a site of contested meaning.
C) a resource.
D) globalization.

Question 10

Which of the following is TRUE about cultural identity?

A) People from the dominant culture are very clear about their identity.
B) Our cultural identity is shaped by our cultural experiences and social locations.
C) People from nondominant groups are typically less aware of their identity.
D) Cultural identity is always subjective and individual based.

Question 11

In European societies, literature, opera, and ballet were considered ______ culture.

A) high
B) low
C) real
D) false

Question 12

______ refers to one's social location within an intersecting web of socially constructed hierarchical categories, such as race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, and physical abilities,

A) Culture
B) Stance
C) Positionality
D) Rationality

Question 13

When Kim tries to understand her ___________, she pays attention to what advantages and disadvantages she has in relation to others as a woman of European descent, who comes from working class background, is educated, and is an American citizen.

A) individuality
B) positionality
C) collectivity
D) identity

Question 14

Which of the following is true of ethnocentrism?

A) Ethnocentrism is natural and useful for protection of culture in the global context.
B) Ethnocentrism is the belief that all groups ways of thinking are equal.
C) Ethnocentric views held by people/groups in positions of power have combined to justify dehumanizing practices historically.
D) Ethnocentrism is useful and necessary to create group cohesion and loyalty.

Question 15

Positionality refers to:

A) one's social location within an intersecting web of socially constructed hierarchical categories.
B) one's specific geographic location in terms of latitude and longitude.
C) one's sense of belonging and security within a matrix of social groups.
D) one's orientation to context within socially constructed systems.

Question 16

Which of the following is true of Standpoint Theory?

A) refers to the gap between female and male culture.
B) proposes that individuals of different genders, races, ages, ethnic groups, languages, and cultural groups cannot get along.
C) claims that the social groups to which we belong shape what we know and how we view the world.
D) demonstrates how ethnocentric view is sometimes useful and necessary.

Question 17

Standpoint theory is beneficial for intercultural communication because it helps us ______.

A) see that we all, regardless of culture, experience and understand the world similarly.
B) see that we experience and understand the world quite differently based on our different standpoints and positionalities.
C) understand that knowledge is universal.
D) see that knowledge exists independent from issues of power.

Question 18

Laura is a Black American woman. Because of her experiences of both racism and sexism in the United States, she is likely able to see and understand issues of race and gender from her own perspective and the perspective of those in power. This is an example of ______.

A) viewpoint theory.
B) perspective theory.
C) standpoint theory.
D) bilocation theory.

Question 19

Brandon believes that American culture is superior to other cultures. This is a form of ______.

A) cultural universalism.
B) sexism.
C) cultural relativism.
D) ethnocentrism.

Question 20

The purpose of engaging in intercultural praxis is ____

A) to sustain cultural dominance.
B) to maintain and protect our existing worldview.
C) to criticize and evaluate cultures different from our own.
D) to develop our socially responsible action in regard to our intercultural interactions in the context of globalization.

Question 21

Globalization is characterized by the interconnectedness of people's lives through communication technology, global capitalism, and international political institutions.

Question 22

Culture from an anthropological perspective, is a system of shared meanings that are passed from generation to generation through symbols that direct human beings' approach to life.

Question 23

Culture in the age of globalization has come to be understood as an experience.

Question 24

Hegemony can be thought of as domination through consent.

Question 25

Inquiry refers to a desire and willingness to know, to ask, to find out, and to learn.

Question 26

Framing, as a point of entry into intercultural praxis invites us to consider how our geographic positioning is related to social and political positions

Question 27

Melissa believes that American culture is superior to other cultures because of the values placed on freedom and individuality. This is a form of ethnocentrism.

Question 28

To engage in "praxis" means that you take action based on your careful reflection, and also you critically reflect after taking action.

Question 29

Globalization is positive because the gap between the wealthy and the poor is decreasing within countries and around the world.

Question 30

Sia is an Asian American woman. Because of her experience of both racism and sexism in the United States, she is able to see things differently and understand the issues of race and gender more clearly. This is an example of standpoint theory.

Question 31

Identify the six points of entry into intercultural praxis and explain how you can use them for more effective intercultural interactions and relationships.

Question 32

Briefly explain anthropologic, cultural studies, and globalization definitions of culture. For each definition, provide an example.

Question 33

Explain hegemony, discuss how it functions as a form of power, and provide an example.

Question 34

Briefly explain ethnocentrism, and discuss why it is important to consider when studying intercultural communication.

Question 35

Briefly define positionality and discuss how your positionality shapes how you communicate in culturally diverse contexts.

Question 36

Briefly explain standpoint theory and discuss why this concept is important for intercultural communication.