* How much do you understand about American popular culture now, compared to before you took this class?
My first day of class, I did not know what to except about the study of popular culture. I did not realize that popular culture was very fun and interesting to study. During the 6 weeks of this course, I read a variety of readings covering many topics. Now, I have another idea about this topic. I understand it better; I can talk freely about differences between various concepts such as heroes, myths and celebrities. I am also able to talk easily about stereotypes and cultures.
* Do you have any stereotypes toward people who are of different races?
Before saying anything about this question, I will first define the world stereotype. A stereotype is a popular belief about specific, social groups, or any types of individuals. Stereotypes can be considered as generalizations, or assumptions, that people have and make about the characteristics of all members of a group, based on an image (often wrong) about what people in that group are like. Stereotypes exist everywhere. I was a victim of it, and I did stereotype other persons. But, since I became mature and aware of these bad assumptions, I choose another approach when dealing with people of different races or culture.
I am, myself, in a situation where I deal with this concept every day. I am an international student living in United States of America. I will not appreciate it if someone came and stereotyped me because he/she has a specific belief about people of my race for example. Each individual is unique.
* What role will stereotypes play in your chosen major, current career, or future career?
My major is Computer Sciences. When asking my friend Fabrice, what he thinks of Computer Sciences people, he said that: "it's a weird bunch of people addicted to sit in front of their high tech computer or games, playing World of Warcraft, or Call of Duty black ops and drinking Dr Peppers." This shows how bad the role of stereotype affects my major. In my case, I do not like to stay in front of the screen because it's not good for my eyes, and I do not like so much video game. But still, I like my major and I am going to graduate in it. What people need to know is that, generalization is not often the good thing to do. Because one person has a reaction toward a situation does not necessarily mean that two or three other people will react the same to this situation.
* What personal values have you identified while learning about American popular culture? How will you maintain those values?
A value represents something that is meaningful. For example, Tide detergent company's belief in the values of solving problems of society. The company has returned to New Orleans four times to help families, still attempting to recover from the affects of Hurricane Katrina, to wash their clothes for free. In 2008 the company returned for the fifth time to aid relief efforts after Hurricane Gustav.
Leaning about popular culture help me identify many values, such as Collaboration, Discipline, Friendship, Fun, Integrity ... etc. There is no specific way to maintain a value. I believe it is something everyone needs to figure out. All I know is that without values or beliefs, we (Human) would be empty of sense, reasons and goal. We need to believe in what we think is the best for us. We need to be open minded.
* How will you implement those values into your life, career, and business?
In my life, those values have been already implemented because of my religious beliefs. As a Christian Catholic, I believe in GOD and all his recommendations: The 10 commandments of GOD.
Each commandment is about one value that any men or women, regardless of his faith, should respect and use every day in his life. The first commandment is about Loyalty. The second commandment is about Worship. The third commandment is about Reverence. The fourth commandment is about Sanctification and Relationship. The fifth commandment is about Respect for parental authority. The sixth commandment is about Respect for Human life. The seventh commandment is about Purity in relationships. The eighth commandment is about Honesty. The ninth commandment is about Truthfulness. The tenth commandment is about Contentment.
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