Allegory Encourages Self-Reflection and Multi-Cultural Understanding in a College Communications Course

Autor/in	Murray Bettina P.
Titel	Allegory Encourages Self-Reflection and Multi-Cultural Understanding in a College Communications Course
Quelle	In: Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 9 (2018) 4, S.161-172 (12 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2203-4714
Schlagwörter	Cultural Awareness; Urban Areas; College Students; Student Diversity; Writing Instruction; Generalization; Figurative Language; Classification; Cultural Differences; Values; Cultural Background; Asian American Students; Hispanic American Students; Trust (Psychology); North Americans; Student Attitudes; Quality of Life; Ethics; Intimacy; Self Concept; Intellectual Development; Literary Devices; Teaching Methods; Narration; Student Characteristics; Communications; Immigrants; Introductory Courses; Ethnic Groups + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Cultural identity; Kulturelle Identität; Urban area; Stadtregion; Collegestudent; Schreibunterricht; Classification system; Klassifikation; Klassifikationssystem; Kultureller Unterschied; Wertbegriff; Asian immigrant; United States; Student; Students; Asiatischer Einwanderer; USA; Schüler; Schülerin; Studentin; Hispanic; Hispanic Americans; Hispanoamerikaner; Schülerverhalten; Lebensqualität; Ethik; Intimität; Selbstkonzept; Mental development; Geistige Entwicklung; Literaturarbeit; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Nachrichtenwesen; Immigrant; Immigrantin; Immigranten; Einführungskurs; Ethnie
Abstract	Urban college students (n=179) from diverse cultural backgrounds and regions received instruction in the writing of short narratives, or allegories, to express generalizations about human behavior. At the beginning of the three-month semester students were given samples of allegories concluding with a lesson and then were asked to create an original allegory. These original narratives were analyzed and their conclusions categorized. Students' allegories expressed diverse cultural values although there were cross-cultural similarities. Findings indicated Asian students expressed significant interest in attaining wisdom and a balanced life over time. Latinx emphasized attaining self-respect, love, loyalty and fair treatment. Eastern Europeans were concerned over breaking a trust. Being deceived by appearances was a mutual concern for North Americans, Latinx and Europeans. At the semester's end a survey of student reactions indicated students gained increased cultural understanding from sharing their work. Implications are that allegory may be used as a literary device to achieve self-reflection and understanding of other cultures. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Australian International Academic Centre PTY, LTD. 11 Souter Crescent, Footscray VIC, Australia 3011. Tel: +61-3-9028-6880; e-mail: editor.alls@aiac.org.au; Web site: http://journals.aiac.org.au/index.php/alls/index
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01