Intercultural Learning Critical preparation Module 2 Imperialism & Cultural Diversity

MODULE I MODULE MODULE MODULE MODULE Culture Imperialism Cultural Diversity Racism Privilege Critical Reflection Culture Intercultural Practice . A TERMS RESOURCES MODULE Imperialism Cultural Diversity Learning goal To understand the historical and continuing impact of imperialism on cultural diversity . Click here to watch the video Imperialism

WELCOME MODULE I MODULE Culture It not change or technology that threatens the integrity of the it is power the crude face of The previous module introduced you to some different and more inclusive ways of thinking about culture . Key to these was the idea that culture is complex and dimensional and that we should resist ways of thinking about culture which are , narrow and reductionist . We now begin to turn our attention to some of the broader issues that are essential in developing a sophisticated and critical understanding of culture . This unit explores the historical and continuing impact of imperialism on cultural diversity . Imperialism is itself a complex concept , but the relationship between culture , cultural diversity and imperialism is so that grappling with this idea is very important . A note on terminology Imperialism Cultural Diversity MODULE Racism Privilege IMPERIALISM AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY The concept of imperialism is used across disciplines , often with meanings that are taken for granted . Imperialism tends to be used in at least four different ways when describing the form of European imperialism which started in the century I Imperialism as economic expansion . Imperialism as the subjugation of others . Imperialism as an idea or spirit with many forms of realisation . Imperialism as a discursive of the concepts of imperialism and colonialism are interconnected , the terms should not be seen as synonymous . Rather , it is generally agreed that colonialism is but one expression of imperialism , a particular realisation of the imperial imagination . Click here to watch the video What is imperialism ?

Critical Reflection Culture MODULE Intercultural Practice TE LEARNING Imperialism can be as a policy of extending a country power or through colonisation , military force , economic control , or other . It is these other means , which are the primary concern of this unit , and arguably which constitute the primary manifestation of imperialism in the contemporary world . These other means of extending a country power or are commonly captured by the concept of cultural imperialism . As its name suggests , cultural imperialism refers to the cultural aspects of imperialism . To attempt to cultural imperialism would require a broadly accepted view of both culture and imperialism . Yet as we know from the previous unit , a full appreciation of the complex , dynamic , and nuanced nature of culture a simple or uncontroversial . In its broadest sense , the concept of cultural imperialism seems to mean that the process of imperialist control is aided and abetted by importing supportive forms of culture ?

This can include the transmission of ideas and ways of thinking from one culture to another , when this transmission has the effect of a dominant cultural perspective . This is not limited to the human service or helping professions but can also include the environmental movement , business and science based professions .

( WELCOME MODULE I Culture relationship to land worldview MODULE Imperialism Cultural Diversity language identity Racism Privilege education Critical Reflection Culture social institutions . Intercultural Practice KEV LEARNING TERMS RESOURCES Many academics across the globe have expressed concern about the forces of cultural imperialism in international professional 17 For example , social work writers have been raising awareness of the problematic dominance of Western , stressing the need for social work to free itself from the assumptions and cultural biases of Western theories and models of practice ?

There is concern that Western ideas of social work , such as a focus on individual needs and the priority afforded evidence , are exported to other settings and cultural , and can create a form of cultural imperialism . Similarly , within the environmental management discipline , green grabbing or resource alienation in the name of the is another form of imperialism . Alienation of people from their land can occur through complete removal of access or the introduction of new rules around access ( such as notions of land ownership ) and management of resources . Local people are sometimes constructed as outdated who require correction by modern scientific techniques . In these cases , imperialism is combined with power and privilege to justify sacrifices of the livelihood of the few , usually impoverished communities , for the perceived of global society . air . In

MODULE I Culture MODULE At times , the contradictions of imperialism are to identify and , in a sense , require us to hold a mirror to our own cultural practices . Read this article by Janice which highlights the irony of Western campaigns to abolish the practice of female genital cutting in Africa that have occurred at the same time as increasing demand for in the US and UK . argues that these practices vividly expose the similarities between us and African others Refer back to our earlier module on culture . How might approaches help us to hold up a mirror to our own cultural practices , to see the similarities between ourselves and others and to challenge ideas of the superiority of the external expert ?

What might some processes to develop more collaborative understandings look like ?

Entrenched notions that Western ideology and practices are superior continue to reign across the The exportation of Western knowledge , values and beliefs can be seen to help to sustain hegemony and This issue will be and explored further in Module . For now , it is sufficient to stress that the concept of cultural imperialism is usually used as a negative , pejorative term across various disciplines and endeavours . As you can imagine , if one culture or cultural perspective is privileged above others this can Imperialism Cultural Diversity Racism Privilege lead to the diminishing and of other cultures . Therefore , one of the key reasons frequently suggested for opposing any form of cultural imperialism is that of the preservation of cultural diversity . WHY PRESERVE CULTURAL DIVERSITY ?

Cultural diversity has always been a distinctive feature of most societies worldwide . Political systems and movements of various persuasions and forms have often tried to deny this . This was most notable in the and centuries where exploitative and oppressive imperialist policies and practices permeated the globe , particularly in the form of Western political and economic domination in developing countries . suggests that cultural diversity should be defined as the capacity to maintain the dynamic of change in all of us , whether individuals or groups ?

Diversity is one of the core concepts of intercultural learning . This concept recognises that cultural difference , or diversity , is valuable and worthy of protection . Click here to watch the video Cultural Diversity Valuing diversity promotes an inclusive society , with a vision of providing all inhabitants , regardless of differences , with opportunities to participate and form their lives on an equal footing based on the universally Critical Reflection Culture MODULE Intercultural Practice KEV LEARNING TERMS RESOURCES shared principles of our common Inclusion is important not only across communities but within communities where diversity will also Promotion of cultural diversity is a universal human As you become increasingly familiar with the concept of imperialism , particularly cultural imperialism , you may begin to see evidence of it in many places around you . The of one culture over another and the increasing dominance of one set of cultural features and beliefs over others has been identified as one of the features of modern globalisation . We need to become conscious of dynamic and begin to adopt a critically aware approach to thinking about our own role in this process .

MODULE I MODULE MODULE MODULE Culture Imperialism Cultural Diversity Racism Privilege Critical Reflection Culture Intercultural Practice A I TERMS ' TA ( Discuss your responses with your lecturer , fellow students , friends or family Option Further your engagement with the topic of imperialism and cultural diversity by referring to the Learning Resources page . Consider the various components of your own culture as identified in the previous unit . Does your culture or promote the preservation of cultural diversity ?

If so , how ?

Does your culture implicitly or explicitly endorse or reject the supremacy of Western values , beliefs , and ?

Click here to go to the Learning Resources page Option Watch this video by about the danger of a single story . How do single stories about culture emerge and persist ?

What is the danger of a single story ?

herself notes that she has also fallen into the trap of reducing other cultures to a single story . Note down your perceptions of other cultures and observe if you have any tendencies to and reduce perceptions of others to a single story . Option Consider your vision for future practice in your chosen of study ( either in Australia or elsewhere ) Does this vision of practice diminish or promote the preservation of cultural diversity ?

If so , how ?

Does this vision implicitly or explicitly endorse or reject the supremacy of Western values , beliefs , and ?