Monday, February 15, 2010

Reaction to class

We watched one part of the film which is named Witness. It could let us know about the movie before we watch it. We had some discussion in the class. I like group work in the class because it can help us to compare our opinions, so it is helpful to write the film report. This few days, I felt very happy because it is snowing outside. The snow is very beautiful and Chinese New Year is coming. We plan to go to Great Wall Restaurant and have dinner. In class we felt happy because this master it increase of 4 classmates. Group works are very lively. I think if it has some funny activities, it will better. Time in class is the longest on Tuesday and Thursday, so we will feel tired at afternoon; therefore, I think we should have some funny topic to discuss. Finally, happy Chinese New Year!

Film Analysis Report - Witness

Title of Film: Witness Date: 1985
Director of Film: Peter Weir
Actors: Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Josef Sommer
Type of Film: Romance














Summary and Analysis:
Samuel's father was dead, his mother Rachel took him to Philadelphia and Samuel saw a murder case in washroom. A police named Book asked Samuel to be a witness. Samuel saw the killer's photo in the police office. The killer wanted to kill Book while Book knew who is the killer. Book was hurt and he was saved by Rachel and Amish people. Book and Rachel fell in love each other. Book lived with Amish people, the killers came to kill Book but two of them were killed by Book and one was saved. Finally Book leaved.

Relation to Case Study:
In Case Study about Chapter 12 and this movie, we can know that there were some culture shock between two groups. In this movie, some American travelers took pictures with Amish people and they put ice cream to Amish people's face. But Amish people do not like conflict with others. Book adapted to Amish environment and he fell in love with Amish woman. Case Study in Chapter 12, Dita faced a lot of troubles in America. She did not like the weather and food there. She felt uncomfortable and she did not adjust herself. Finally, Dita was failed.

Reaction to Film:
I think it is good for us to study in America because it has some culture shock in this film. I can learn a lot of solutions in it. I am a international student, when I came to America, I felt uncomfortable and sick. I adjusted myself, but it was very difficult because I did not adapt the weather and food here. Now I feel fine because we have American Culture class. I learn a lot from this class. When we discuss together, I will compare my lift in America. I think this film is good.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Reaction

Though American Culture class, I have already learn a lot of knowledges. For example, I have learn culture shock between international students and American. After we discussed the solutions in the class, I know how to solve the problems with roommates and other culture. It is very helpful for me to change my attitude, and I can integrate into American life quickly. It let me know a lot of American culture and if we have a good relationship with American people, we can improve our English because we must speak in English with them. I think American culture can help International students to know more about America, such as American people are very friendly and they will very happy to help us. But it list some customs in American people's life, it is good me to understand why they do that, so they will not make me surprise; therefore, I think American culture is very helpful for us.

Similarities and differences

There are some similarities and differences between the Case Study – Chapter 12 and The Continuous Process of Culture Adjustment. First, I will talk about the similarities. In Case Study, Dita had some culture shock and in Continuous Process of Culture Adjustment, Masika Z. Smith also had some culture shock, like Dita did not like the food in America and Masika felt confused. Both of them had a lot of problems in other country. In their classes, they felt tired and made some mistakes. Dita studied in college and she finished her classes. And Masika also studied in college and she finished her class. Both of them are women so it was too hard to make them success. They wanted to solve the problems of culture shock and they tried their best to finish their classes. So they are the similarities between two essays.

Second, I want to talk about the differences. Dita did not like American food and no matter what she tried, none of it was delicious. She hated the weather was getting cold every day and she had no close friends. Her roommate came from Chicago and Dita like her because she could help Dita’s study. But Dita kept getting low grades on her classes. She felt tired and she missed her family and friends. Her English was not improving anyway and she felt sad. She was not confident and pessimistic, and she did not solve the problems. I think coming to North America was a bad decision to her. But Masika had a lot of different things from Dita. For example, she is a black woman and she married in 2003. Dita did not marry. Masika’s basic mistake was to presume that she had completely assimilated into American culture. Although Masika had a culture shock, she enjoyed her classes. She thought her life is never so simple. She studied hard on American culture and she adjusted her culture shock. She was very confident and optimistic, and then she shared her culture adjustment struggles. She wanted to let people know about her appearances. She wanted to continue her quest for understanding and acculturation. Although she had a lot of problems, she could believe herself and solve the troubles. She did many plans and organization about the troubles and some responses. I think Masika was more optimistic than Dita. Masika could change her attitude and achieve her plan, but Dita just thought about how she tired. Dita did not believe herself and had a wrong attitude, so it made her lose. I think the above paragraph is the different points of two essays.