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American Values and Assumptions
Gary Althen
GROUP ASNEHA, NIRUPA, SHRAYA, SHASTIKA, NEERAZ,
RAJIV
Introduction to the writer
Introduction to the text
Basic theme of the text
*Introduction
*Individualism and privacy
*Equality
Content
Contd..*The future, change and progress
*Informality
*Time
*Achievement, action, and materialism
*Directness and assertiveness
Foreign student adviser at University of Lowa
Wrote 2 books on his experiences
The handbook of Foreign Student Advising
(1983)
American Ways: A Guide for Foreigners in
United States(1988)
This passage is extracted from the latter book
Gary Althen…
Unwritten rules of culture Difference in values and assumptions
Beliefs and customs Seems normal in one and strange in
another Problems resulting from cross-cultural
variation
Basic theme of the text
Values? Ideas about -what’s wrong and right
-desirable and not desirable
-normal and abnormal
-proper and improper
Introduction
We learn these values from?
-parents and other relatives
-teachers
-books and newspapers
-television programs
Contd..
Assumptions? The unquestioned standards about people and life
“The way things are”
What we suppose or think
Contd..
Examples
Values Assumptions
Men and women
should inhabit
separate social world
Family belongingness
Respect towards God
Patriotism
Gaining education
Lighting candles in
birthdays
Dress’ color of the
bride
Crossing of the
way by a black cat
Consider themselves independent
View about people with contrasting culture
View of ideal person
Relationship: parents and children
Non-Americans’-regarding Americans’ culture
Privacy
Individualism and Privacy
All men are created equal
One man one vote
Men and women are equal
Respect to people of higher status
Basic level of respect to everybody
Equality
Notion of equality lead Americans to be
informal
Informality in speech, posture and dress
They find informality appealing
Their informal and egalitarian approach to
other people
Informality
History and traditions are passé
A foreseen future
Overcoming difficulties
Culture verses culture
Impatient bloodline
The Future, Change and Progress
Time is a resource
Time is money
Admire well organized people
Man or a machine
McDonalds-Symbol of American society
American concept of Efficient and Efficiency
Time
Admiration for achievers
Work harder and harder
Be busy doing something
Job is the identity
Earning is must for evaluation of success
Achievement, Action, Work and Materialism
Directness=straightforwardness, sincerity, truthfulness
Assertive=bold, courageous, confident
Frank, bold and open
Settling conflicts through forthright discussion
Guarding emotional responses
Speak up the mind
Directness and Assertiveness
We need to learn from the Americans
-individual and interdependency
-no distinction, all are equal
“All are created equal”
-being informal makes you work easy
Conclusion
- respect for time- esp. future
- schedule time and bring positive changes
-be bold, frank and expressive. Don’t fear truth
Observe the nature of people and act
Don’t copy them but be inspired by them, positively
“Be yourself ” !!!
Contd..
QUESTIONS ???
Tips: Read the question or essay title
Brainstorm
Make it in simple words
Do not repeat yourself-say it another way
Look at the final version of essay -review
Format it and note down
How to write an essay?
Introducing the topic
Giving one point of view, in support of the argument,
with reasons and examples
Giving a contrasting or different view
Concluding (giving your own opinion or interpretation
of the facts
Format of the essay
Thank you !
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