uchebnik_dlya_1_semestra

3. Match the English word combinations with their Russian equivalents.

4.Find in the definitions above the English equivalents of the following words: стиль и образ жизни, поведение, привычки, знания, продукт человеческой мысли, ценности, интегрированная система поведения, история человеческого духа, верования, чувства и отношения, материальные и духовные ценности.

5.Using on-line dictionary find out as many colocations with the word “CULTURE” and “CULTURAL “ as you can. You have 10 minutes.

E.g.: youth culture, subcultural, art culture, physical culture, sport culture, cultural aspects, cross-culture etc.

6.Mark each statement as T(True) or F (or False). If false, make corrections.

Discussion

1. Look through the definitions of “CULTURE” again and answer the following questions:

Do all writers interpret ―culture‖ in one and the same way? How do the different interpretations differ?

Is there any person for whom culture is nothing else but art? Music? Literature?

Are there any definitions which are similar or approximately the same?

Some writers think that culture will help us survive in society? Find this definition out. Do you agree? Disagree? Justify your answer.

In which definition can you find the idea that culture is something that is shared by the members of a particular community?

Are there any writers who believe that culture is what is learnt and taught only in society?

Whose definition of the concept is the most complete, from your point of view? Justify your point.

Team work.

1. Split into groups. Make up the mental map of the concept culture.

WAY OF LIFE

Ideas

Concepts values communication patterns

Assumptions

Does this mental map reflect the concept culture in Russian?

Answer the following questions:

-What is the definition focused on?

-Do you think that culture is a product of historical development of human society ?

-Is culture a way of life? Is it a manifestation of human spirit?

Some cross-cultural aspects of human life are presented in the left part of the table. Fill in the right part, adding information on the point.

Everyday Life

Habitats and Homelands

Links with the Past

States and Systems

Education

Sports and Leisure

The Arts

Activity

1.Make up written translation of ―culture‖ definition, made up by Marcelle E. DuPraw and Marya Axner.

2.Make up the most complete definition of culture from your point of view and translate it into English. Share with your group mates. Discuss and choose the best one.

Unit 2. Why is Understanding Culture so Important?

Lead-in.

How do you understand the word ―international culture‖? What does in mean for

you?

How does it differ from the expression ―national culture‖?

What are the examples of your national culture? What do they include?

Try to guess what is ―cultural adjustment‖

Reading and vocabulary

1. Read the text and decide why we can distinguish a lot of cultures in the world today, how culture expresses itself. Pay attention to the words in bold.

According to Gary Wederspahn, culture is the shared set of assumptions, values, and beliefs of a group of people by which they organize their common life. In our world we can distinguish lot of cultures because of the number of countries for example, but also we can see some scales in these ―country cultures”.

When you travel all over the world, you have to face these different cultures with their own meaning and perception of words or gestures. Understanding culture will help you to be more aware of these differences and so avoid big mistakes in your behavior, what we call

―cultural adjustment”.

How does culture ―express‖ itself? Even if the contrary can be

thought, we are not spontaneous in our behavior. Our cultures, our education, and so on, influence us in everyday situations. That is why once you know people’s values and beliefs, you can often expect and predict their behavior. We can say that our behavior is a reflection of our culture.

Culture is often compared to an iceberg: the visible section of the iceberg is so much shorter than the invisible part under water. Each culture has some aspects which are observable

and others that can only be suspected or imagined. Thus, the part of culture which is visible, such as behavior, is only a small part of a bigger picture.

To give you a better idea of culture expression, here are listed some examples of cultural behavior: facial expressions, religious beliefs, religious rituals, importance of time, paintings, values, literature, gestures, holiday customs, nature of friendship, notions of modesty, foods and eating habits, understanding of the natural world, concept of self, work ethic, concept of beauty, music, style of dress…

Where does culture come from?

How do people get their culture? How do they learn all the behaviors that are regarded as right and wrong in their society? This process, also known as cultural conditioning, is present in every culture, but the specific behaviors that people have, the precise content of their conditioning, is different from group to group.

Everyone knows that common culture come mainly from a common history which shapes our mind and so have influence on our behavior or way of thinking.

The most important part of your culture will be acquired during your childhood, but you will acquire new behaviors until the end of your life:

In Childhood: children learn basics activities as eating, walking, talking, dressing, bathing, etc. These basics are the origin of the future children’s behavior.

As Adults: people learn new behavior or new ways to perform thanks to education, travels, etc. Adults learn how to adapt themselves.

How to analyze culture? Or how to have the right behavior? We can find five steps of culture analyzing:

1)Observation/Instruction: you become aware of a particular behavior but have not yet tried to do it yourself.

2)Imitation: now you try to have the same behavior

3)Reinforcement: people help you by correcting you or showing you.

4)Internalization: you know how to behave but you still need practice.

5)Spontaneous Manifestation: you no more need to pay attention to your behavior, it comes naturally.

Why is understanding culture so important?

When you go into another country than yours, you will be confronted with different behaviors, different foods, and different ways of life. Most of people are amused when they see that. But most of the time they are making fun about, being narrow-minded, forgetting that everybody do not have the same culture.

Understanding culture is important, as it makes you aware and more sensitive to differences, and you could avoid big mistake in your behavior or maybe adjust, but at least to respect the people that belong to other cultures than your own.

Moreover understanding culture does not only exist in the aim of helping poor little students but it is also a real challenge for international businesses. You will not promote a product in the same way in France or in Germany or in Russia.

Understanding culture is the most important thing when dealing and respecting people. It does not mean, you have to go out of your way to mimic a culture that is different than your own, but you should respect the other

culture and treat it a different, not inferior yours! http://mariaabroad.com/2010/04/what-is-culture/

(Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by Marie M. in Living Abroad, Study Abroad)

2. Match the English word combinations with their Russian equivalents .

3.Scan the text. Find in the text the English equivalents of the following words: вы-

ражение лица, видимый, воображаемый, ограниченность(с предрассудками), высмеивать, уважительное общение с людьми, влияние поведения, знание, быть восприимчивым к культурным различиям, сталкиваться с, образ мышления, быть ограниченным, религиозные различия, природа дружеских взаимоот-

ношений, жесты, проявления скромности, отражение культуры, культурная ассимиляция, понимание и восприятие.

4.Match the words from two columns to make collocations. Try to reproduce the sentences from the text. Translate into Russian

5. Match the words and word combinations from the texts with their definitions. Use these words in the sentences of your own.

6. Read the text once again and answer the questions.

1)What is culture according to Gary Wederspahn definition? Do you agree with it? If not say why?

2)What is ―understanding foreign culture‖?

3 What is being narrow-minded according to the text and what do you think of it personally?

4)Can people predict and expect their behavior?

5)Why culture is often compared to an ice-berg?

6)Give some examples of cultural behavior.

7)What are the main steps of culture analysis?

8)What makes you aware and more sensitive to differences?

9)How should the culture be treated?

Grammar practice

1. An adjective is a part of speech, which modifies a noun or a pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying words. An adjective usually precedes the noun or the pronoun which it modifies. In the following examples, the highlighted words are adjectives:

Some people can be regarded as right and wrong in different societies. Mr. Smith demonstrated rather irritating manners.

Understanding culture is also a real challenge for international businesses. The colors of the picture are dark and dank.

You become aware of a particular behavior but have not yet tried to do it yourself?

Cultural conditioning is present in every culture, but the specific behaviors that people have, the precise content of their conditioning, is different from group to group.

(A) A cultured person can be someone who is well-read in books, who has watched and engaged with classic films, has a refined appreciation for art, etc. To be cultured is also to be educated about the world and its languages, to understand world politics and be well-read in world history. Above all, a cultured person is one who is interested in culture and engages in culture.

Read more. A large part of culture comes from books, as they have existed for a longer time than most other media. The obvious thing to do would be to read classic books, but if you're a first-time- reader, this will be daunting and uninteresting.

Start backwards. Choose a genre that you have genuine interest in, such as fantasy or romantic fiction. Research the best books of that

genre as judged by book enthusiasts, and read them. You may want to look up books in other genres which may catch your fancy while you're at it. If there is a genre you are not sure about, try it and you might actually enjoy it.

After you feel you've become reasonably well-read in your genre, expand your variety and also read some classic or recommended books. You will understand the books of the past more after reading books of present culture, and you'll find you enjoy them more, too.

Subscribe to a magazine which deals with a subject like literature, the arts, drama or music or a mixture thereof. Read articles from this magazine on a regular schedule. One a week, two a month, or whatever your schedule will allow. Follow leads presented by the articles you read. Every once in awhile one of the articles you read will inspire you to go further with a subject. If you read a great article about Mozart, take the article to a store where you can buy CDs and ask the counter attendant to direct you to some Mozart CDs that you might like. Buy a few or borrow some from the library, take them home and listen. If you read an article about an artist who sounds interesting, look online to find out which museums feature paintings by this artist. Then plan a visit! Maybe you will read about a play or a musical. Scan your newspaper and see if a local college or high school is showing this play soon and buy tickets.

3. Read the text for general understanding. Do you find all the pieces of advice useful?

(B)

Write. You can write poetry or short stories or even books and plays. Being cultured means to respond to culture, and the best way to do this is to create your own. You should try it.

Watch films. It is very important to not only restrict yourself to books, but watch films regularly. There are many films, and you may be unsure as to which watch.

Word-of-mouth is the best way to watch films of today's culture. You may remember your friends talking about a certain film. Go to the video store and scan the shelves to find names you may recognize.

Look up the reception of a film on Wikipedia before you watch it, just to make sure you're not wasting your time (if you're pressed for time). However, remember sometimes critics' opinions are not always right.

It is important to do your research. If you don't understand a certain film, you have to look it up on Wikipedia or somewhere on the internet. Sometimes the film will contain references to other older, classic films which you could not pick up on.

This is a great segue to other recommended films! Watch these films next time, and you will soon be able to appreciate more films than you could previously.

Don't restrict yourself to English-language films. There are many other films out there worth watching, they are just in a different language.

Watch TV. While TV shows can be time-consuming to watch and finish, watching an episode of something a day is not so. There is much to be learned from TV shows. It is as significant a medium as any, and often provides social commentary.

Look up good TV shows that you think you might enjoy. There are many types, ranging from sitcoms to drama. Wikipedia usually has reception for more popular TV shows. You can look up ratings or just ask around.

Don't forget to be open-minded. TV shows you thought you might not like might turn out to be your favorite show. It has happened.

If you really like a TV show and you think you'd watch it again, you ought to buy the DVDs. Watch TV channels like Discovery and the History Channel. This is a painless way to get involved in topics such as the origins of impressionist art or the history of English kings.

4. Scan the text. Define the main idea. Do you agree with the author about the role of music in raising a person’s cultural awareness?

(C) Broaden your musical horizons. Many people are very narrow-minded when it comes

to music, but a person of culture knows how to enjoy even the niche music genres.

For example, while it is very well-intended that a person enjoys songs with non-cliché lyrics, it is also important that one is able to enjoy music without lyrics at all, just for the mood it can set, or the story it tells, needless of words.

The ability to appreciate classical music is not as daunting as it seems. Just listen to some famous musical pieces and you will most definitely understand why.

Be very open-minded. There is a lot of music out there which may not fit into any genre, but you may enjoy it. Don't deny yourself music just because it does not fit into your image or genre.

Listen to albums, not just singles. They may have better songs on their albums which they left out of mainstream because they wouldn't be popular with the main market. This is not to say you won't enjoy those songs.

Listen to bands. Many bands go back quite a lot, even though some of their music is still fresh. This will give you access to older music, and you'll be able to hone an appreciation for older music altogether.

Listen to music from other countries and in other languages. You'll be surprised.

Learn a musical instrument. Once you listen to some good music, it will be natural for you to try and learn an instrument and create your own.

Participate in Internet culture. Don't forget that past culture, such as 80s music, was once present culture. Those who paid attention are now well-rounded about it, while those who ignored it, are not. The digital age is very important and a huge milestone for society. We are living in history! Don't let it

pass you by. You ought to follow all latest achievements.

While you may feel like you already know a lot about the Internet, learn about the history of the Internet, and check out memes and viral videos so that you have a greater understanding of it.

Set your homepage to Wikipedia and read an article each day about something which seems "cultured" to you. In a very short time, you will know quite a bit more than you know now.

Take a deeper interest in art. Art is a universal language. It is sometimes considered the most potent form of communication. Whether it actually is, is up to you. You are to chose.

The only advice that can be given here is to do research and engage in art by going to galleries (which, contrary to popular belief, are free).

If there is one art form you particularly like, such as dancing or sculpting, then become practiced in it.

5. Read the text for general understanding. Say what is the best way to learn foreign language. What role can Internet play in your language and cultural development? How do you personally use it to develop yourself?

(D) Learn a new language. The best way to do this is by immersion...

Travel. Reading about other cultures as opposed to experiencing them is like colour being explained to a blind person. Travelling introduces you to the many differences and similarities between cultures, and opens up your

mind. A lot of the prejudices we have about a culture (good and bad) are grossly misplaced, and the only way to find out is to go and see for ourselves.

Get hobbies. Ask your friends what their hobbies are. Most of them will be art forms or sports. As a cultured person, it is important to be experienced in as much as possible, so next time your friend goes water-skiing, ask if you can come along.

Visit places where you can receive an education in a fun way. Go to the zoo, visit museums, even go camping to learn more about wildlife.

Educate yourself. Nowadays with the Internet, almost all information is accessible. You should take full advantage of this and learn all those things that you never understood before. You should aim to be reasonably educated in these topics:

World history. This is probably the most important, since it provides pathways into other domains of knowledge and contextualizes its discoveries.

Geography. Again, a person of culture should not be ignorant of where countries or famous landmarks are.

Basic Sciences: Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology. Unless you want to follow a career in the sciences, a refined knowledge in the sciences isn't completely necessary. Instead, make sure you have a sound understanding of the sciences at a high school level.

Economics. This is very relevant in understanding today's world.

Psychology. A note about misconceptions: there is a huge misconception that Psychology is not a science, or that it is bogus. Read up on experimental methodology and actually educate yourself about it before believing those claims. Psychology is of extreme importance in today's society, becoming increasingly more so as the world becomes more complicated.

Free yourself from ignorance about other cultures. Develop a natural curiosity. Delve deep into things you don't understand.

Part of becoming cultured is learning about other cultures, not just your own. Try to free yourself from ignorance and media-fed stereotypes you have about other societies/religions. Always try to empathize with all parties while learning. It is very important to challenge your prejudices. No one is inherently good or evil; instead you should aim to understand the motives for actions. Otherwise you will not understand other cultures.

( How to Become a Person of Culture from http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Person-of- Culture)

Think for yourself. Don't let others dictate your opinions.

Reading and vocabulary

1. Look through the text once again and match the words and word combinations from the texts with their definitions. Use these words in the sentences of your own.