20 March 2007

Global Reading & Writing

Meant as a resource for the instructor, this blog entry contains several in-class discussion and reflective writing exercises for practicing critical reading of and writing about a variety of global themes: global obesity, global poverty, interracial love, the Asian influence, the U.S. and the world, Spanglish, commercial symbols of globalization, and global terrorism. The topics and exercises could be used in most writing and composition courses.

All sources are available on the Internet. Some of the ideas for themes and articles came from Gilbert H. Muller’s The New World Reader, published by Houghton Mifflin (2008). I have additional articles that I would be happy to share - just let me know!


Global Obesity

Read: “Global Obesity Epidemic ‘Out of Control’” by Genevieve Roberts:
http://www.globalpolicy.org/socecon/hunger/economy/2004/1101obesity.htm

Written Reflection
What do you know about global obesity? Where in the world is obesity a problem and why?

Discussion Questions

  • Roberts describes obesity as a “global epidemic.” How does she support this observation?
  • According to Roberts, what are some of the reasons for this epidemic? What are some of the effects of the “obesity explosion”?
  • After reading and discussing the article, what new information do you have about global obesity?
  • What information, if anything, surprised you?

    • Global Poverty

    Read: “Cities Without Slums” by Namrita Talwar: http://www.globalpolicy.org/socecon/hunger/economy/2004/1101obesity.htm

    Written Reflection (before reading and discussion)
    Reflect on what you know about urban slums in the United States. How would you define a slum? Where and why do they exist? What are some of their defining features?

    Discussion Questions

  • What technique does Talwar use to open her article? How effective is this method?
  • According to the article, what are the main factors contributing to the increase of urban slum population?
  • What is the article’s overall tone – optimistic or pessimistic? How can you tell?
  • After reading and discussing the article, has your definition of a slum changed at all? If so, how?


    • Interracial Love

    Read: “Love and Race” by Nicholas D. Kristof: http://www.racematters.org/loveandrace.htm

    Written Reflection (before reading the essay)
    How do you/your community feel about interracial love? What assumptions and attitudes affect your view on the topic? What assumptions do you think the author makes about his readers?

    Discussion Questions


  • Why does the author refer to the University of Mississippi at the beginning and end of his essay? Use your knowledge of civil rights history. If needed, do some research on the computer to gain a better understanding of the topic.
  • Does the author construct an argument in this essay or is he simply reporting a cultural development? How can you tell?


    • Globalization: The Asian Influence

    Read: “All Things Asian Are Becoming Us” by Andrew Lam: http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=7e254a0164aa26e776d8ccd4b56078b4

    Discussion Questions
  • Why do you think Lam chose not to title his essay “We Are Becoming All Things Asian”?
  • How does Lam develop the meaning of the word globalization? What other words does he use to convey the same meaning?
  • According to the essay, how are Asians changing the U.S. culture?
  • Why does Lam devote so much attention to Buddhism?
  • Does Lam correlate “American” with “Western”? Explain.

    Reflective Writing
    Reread the statement by Richard Rodriquez. Then, based on your personal observations, reflect on at least 3-4 examples of notable changes brought about by recent immigrants in the U.S.


    • The U.S. and the World

    Read: “Americans Are Tuning Out the World” by Alkam Granitsas: http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=6553

    Discussion Questions

  • According to the essay, why are most Americans “tuning out the rest of the world”?
  • What does Granitsas say about the isolationist attitudes of the average American?
  • Why does Granitsas quote Alexis de Tocqueville? Who was de Tocqueville? (If you don’t know, research the name on the web.)
  • Where in the essay can you find rhetorical questions? Why are these questions left unanswered? What function do they serve in the essay?

    Reflective Writing
    What is your personal reaction to this essay? Describe your thoughts and then explain why you think and feel this way.

    Spanglish

    Read: “Spanglish: A New American Language,” a summary of NPR’s Morning Edition interview of Ilan Stavans, author of Spanglish: A New American Language: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1438900

    Recommended: Listen to the NPR interview available at the same website (see the Resources).

    Reflective Writing (before reading and listening)
    What is your opinion of being required to speak or write a certain kind of English in a workplace? Should everyone in a workplace speak and write the same way?

    Discussion Questions
  • What is Spanglish? List some examples of Spanglish words from the article.
  • What is Stavans’ opinion of Spanglish? Do you agree or disagree?
  • According to Slavan, how do people in the U.S. feel about Spanglish? Discuss some of the examples mentioned in the article.


    • Commercial Symbols of Globalization

    Read: “The Noble Feat of Nike” by Johan Norberg, author of In Defense of Global Capitalism: http://www.johannorberg.net/?page=articles&articleid=53

    Opening Class Discussion
    Check your footwear. Where were your shoes or sneakers made? Who do you think made them? How much do you think the workers earned?

    Small Group Discussion

  • Examine the introduction carefully. How does Norberg “hook” the reader’s attention and set up his argument? Based on the introduction, what is his main point?
  • How does Norberg defend his argument? Identify specific examples and discuss their effectiveness.
  • How has Norberg gathered his facts? How effective is his method? Explain.
  • What is Norberg’s tone in this essay? How effective is it? Explain.

    Reflective Writing
    Besides Nike, what are some other commercial symbols of globalization? List at least three specific examples and reflect on what you know about their global impact and why you think they have become popular worldwide.

    • Global Terrorism

    Read: “An Open Letter: To Any Would-Be Terrorists” by Naomi Shihab Nye, a Palestinian American: http://poetry.about.com/library/weekly/aa100201a.htm

    Discussion Questions

  • How does Bye address her primary audience, “would-be terrorists”? How does she get their attention? Pay attention to what she says and how she says it.
  • What is the essay’s main argument? How does Nye support her argument?
  • Why does Nye use the first person point of view in the introductory paragraphs?
  • Why is the last paragraph a fitting conclusion to the essay?

    Reflective Writing
    Do you agree or disagree with Nye’s argument? Explain.


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