Bases del Conectivismo

Richard Burt, our young-at-heart ambassador to West Germany, recently startled the diplomatic community there with his rendition of two

rock and roll classics, "Teenager in Love" and "Tell Me"—both sung in a West Berlin recording studio to the accompaniment of a local group called the "Subtones." Surprising as such a performance was to German diplomats,

it actually played to an American strength. American popular culture, in fact, may be an emissary as important as Ambassador Burt himself—

or any ambassador for that matter.

Around the world, people hum American tunes, line up for

American movies, and demand American television programs, even as they deride them. Clint Eastwood packs them in in France, and

Bruce Springsteen brings them to their feet in Germany.

Alexis Carrington is loved and loathed from London to Monaco.

And after the movies, or between miniseries, citizens abroad can lace up their Nikes and jog off to the local McDonald's or Burger King for a hamburguesa and a shake. Or, if it's a leisurely continental breakfast

they want in, say, Thailand, they can hole up in any of fifteen Dunkin' Donuts shops with a cup of coffee and a good book—

What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School, perhaps, the best seller in Bangkok. Much as some nations deplore what has been called

the "Coca-colonization" of their cultures, their citizens adore Coca-Cola itself—and its major competitor, Pepsi.

For those who demand a little culture from American culture, there are Artistic Ambassadors—young American pianists who play newly commissioned pieces of American music. Add to these the Fulbright scholars, the

political consultants, and the foreign exchange students, and you have a collection of some of the best traveling salesmen around. These expressions

of America are explored by Richard Grenier, Tim Page, John Russonello, and Jack Valenti in the pages that follow. More on the American cultural

roadshow appears in Opinion Roundup, pages 30-35.

PUBLIC OPINION, FEBRUARY/MARCH 1986 V A S a n d K H K

Burt, Richard: born 1947, American journalist and diplomat, ambassador to West Germany from 1985 to 1989.

Eastwood, Clint: born 1930, American movie star. He became known through the CBS Western series Rawhide and gained international recognition in Sergio Leone's trio of Italian-made Westerns.

Springsteen, Bruce: see page 242.

Carrington, Alexis: character in the TV series "Dynasty."

Nike: tradename of sport shoes.

Fulbright scholar: recipient of a U.S. government scholarship sponsored by Senator J.W.

Fulbright for graduate study abroad.

PART C Exercises

1. Text Analysis

America & the World: Principle &

Pragmatism

1. Kissinger discusses idealism and

pragmatism. Define these terms according to the information given in the text.

2. In his essay, Kissinger deals with war, disorder and conflict on the one hand, and with peace, order and appeasement on the other. Find the various words and

expressions which are characteristic of these polarizing fields.

3. Among the stylistic and rhetorical figures used by the author, we find metaphors, antitheses, parallelism and accumulation.

What is the function of these devices? Make a list of examples.

2. Text Analysis

American Policy in Vietnam: Peace Without Conquest

1. Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the U.S.

from 1963 to 1968, delivered this speech, which was broadcast nationwide, at Johns Hopkins University on April 7, 1965. This was a few months after American military involvement had increased dramatically, when U.S. bombers had raided North Vietnam. What, do you think, was the main purpose of the President's speech in this situation?

2. In his address, Johnson defines America's role in Southeast Asia. Read through the text again and find out all the reasons he gives for America's commitment in Vietnam. How are these reasons related to each other?

3. Johnson was obviously aware of the fact that his military policies did not meet with approval from all Americans. Show how he uses rhetorical devices like comparison, images and parallelism to convince the audience that his policy is right.

4. Make a list of all the words and phrases used in order to describe violence and aggression in Asia in the fourth and fifth paragraphs.

What is the effect the speaker wants to achieve by this enumeration of expressions of violence?

5. At the end of the third paragraph, Johnson points out that a free and secure world "will never be built by bombs and bullets." Later on, however, he speaks about American air raids. How does he justify those attacks? Do you find his way of arguing convincing?

3. Comprehension

Determine which of the following statements agree with the text. Correct the false statements.

1. The way Americans see themselves is markedly different from the way they are seen by others.

2. The distortions and exaggerations which can often be found in the perceptions of Americans by people all over the world cannot be substantiated at all.

3. The underdogs' fear of the top dogs' power makes many people dwell on the negative sides of Americans.

4. It is the anxiety of the less powerful rather than rational consideration that makes people derive satisfaction from the plight of the Americans in Vietnam.

5. Only the French, who suffered a similar defeat in Dien Bien Phu, do not show some kind of malicious joy when half a million American soldiers do not stand a chance of winning the war against the Asian guerillas.

6. The Viet Cong guerillas arouse more sympathies among the underdogs of the world than the American soldiers.

7. The fight of the American soldiers in Vietnam is sometimes even compared with that of the American revolutionaries 200 years ago.

AMERICA'S GLOBAL ROLE 187

8. Although at present the attitude towards Americans is largely emotional and

irrational, in the long run, rational thinking will get the upper hand.

9. If American politicians had considered the psychological implications of the

relationship between top dogs and

underdogs, they would have understood the criticism America's involvement in Vietnam aroused outside the U.S.A.

10. Senator Fulbright argues that Americans should exert an influence on others not by displaying their power abroad but by setting a positive example through their way of life at home.

4. Visual Comprehension

In its February/March 1986 issue, the American magazine Public Opinion dealt with "Exporting American Culture." Have a look at the collage shown on the front page and identify as many facets of American culture as possible.

6. Interviewing

Many of the cultural influences mentioned in the introduction to Public Opinion are rather accidental. A more comprehensive impression of American culture is left on foreigners who have actually been to the United States. Among the numerous exchange programs for young people, American Field Service International (AFS) and Youth for Understanding (YFU) are especially well known. AFS was founded in 1947 and organized 10,000 student exchanges among 70 countries in 1985. YFU, founded in 1951, hosted 4,000 foreign high school students in America and sent 2,500 American high school students abroad in 1986/7.

Try and find somebody who has taken part in a student exchange with the United States or has lived there for some time. Ask him/her about the aspect of American culture that he/she found and still finds most striking.

5. Discussion

Which aspects of American culture can you find in your own city or country?

What do your friends think about the American cultural influence in your country?

How do you personally feel about it?

и Education

PART A Background Information

SCHOOL Every American is entitledдавать право to an education. School attendance is compulsory ATTENDANCE for all children. Students attend school five to seven hours a day, five days a week for nine months each year, from September to June. Public education from kindergarten through grade 12 is tax-supported; no tuition is required.