Essay+questions


 * 1) Every culture has elements which are easily identifiable by foreigners (Big C), and those elements which are only shared among the group (Little C).
 * 2) What elements of your culture do you think foreigners would mention when asked about your culture?
 * 3) And what might they be unfamiliar with?
 * 4) Making fun of the concrete aspects of a foreign culture, like dress, music, art, etc. can be very insulting. Why is this so? Write an essay discussing how concrete aspects of culture can reflect hidden belief.
 * 5) Some theorists believe that generalizations can be made about every culture. What generalisations could you make about yours? Write an essay discussing these using Hofstede’s dimensions, i.e. individualist/ collectivist, large/ small power distance, masculine/ feminine, high/ low uncertainty avoidance, and long/ short term orientation.
 * 6) Volunteering is an especially challenging job as it involves placing someone in a foreign culture and expecting them to work under sometimes difficult circumstances. Write an essay outlining the stages that volunteers may go through when coming into contact with foreign cultures using Bennett’s model of inter- cultural sensitivity.
 * 7) The UAE has many different nationalities and cultures living in it. How far should foreigners in the UAE be expected to ‘fit into’ the local culture? Write an essay discussing your views mentioning the advantages and disadvantages of Multiculturalism and assimilation.
 * 8) Hofstede’s model presenting different cultural dimensions has been criticized because it emphasizes generalizations, and doesn’t account for individual differences. Write an essay showing how any four factors can influence individual cultural identity.