Please check, just in case

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Please check, just in case
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• January 27, 2009 (2)
• Contrasting perspectives etic, emic, and
  cultural differences

Readings Sleeter (1986), Rao (2006), AND Molloy
Vasil (2002)
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Announcements

• If you haven't started already, you must begin
  your observations for your language diary and
  documenting them on the wiki page set up for you
  by Amanda. (Note you should have multiple
  entries for each of 7 consecutive days).
• All of your entries must be posted by next
  Tuesday (Feb. 3).
• You should also be logging on, at least once a
  week, to the course wiki and making
  contributions. This course include adding to or
  commenting to the course blog, adding to the list
  of films that have a character with a disability,
  and/or commenting on a colleague's language
  diary.

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Quick questions or quandaries?
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Small Group

• Get into three groups of 3. Each group will start
  with a different one of the assigned readings. On
  the large paper provided, first summarize what
  you felt were the main points. Then, write down
  the questions the article raised for you.
• After 15 minutes, we will rotate articles
  adding to the summary and questions raised from
  the previous group.
• After another 15 minutes, switch again.

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Follow up small group activity

• Get into your regular small groups.
• Consider what you learned through previous
  activity.
• Prepare to share with the whole group the most
  important ideas you took away from the readings.

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Quick Write

• In what ways do you think it the emic and etic
  perspectives on disability might be different.
  Provide some concrete examples. What kinds of
  problems or conflicts might occur as a result of
  these differences?

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Defining culture

• Some perspectives (e.g. Boas) disagree that
  culture is a noun (e.g. a culture), rather, an
  adjective (e.g. cultural beliefs and
  practices).
• Some (e.g. Taylor) argue that culture cant be
  observed that its a mental rpocess, but that
  its outcomes (e.g. language, behaviors) can be
  observed.
• For those who agree there is such thing as a
  culture, it is difficult to define. Contrast
  with ethnicity society community etc.

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Emic (inside)

• Emic constructs are accounts, descriptions, and
  analyses expressed in terms of the conceptual
  schemes and categories that are regarded as
  meaningful and appropriate by the members of the
  culture under study. An emic construct is
  correctly termed emic if and only if it is in
  accord with the perceptions and understandings
  deemed appropriate by the insiders culture. The
  validation of emic knowledge thus becomes a
  matter of consensus -- namely, the consensus of
  native informants, who must agree that the
  construct matches the shared perceptions that are
  characteristic of their culture.

http//faculty.ircc.edu/faculty/jlett/Article20on
20Emics20and20Etics.htm
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Etic (outsider/professional)

• Etic constructs are accounts, descriptions, and
  analyses expressed in terms of the conceptual
  schemes and categories that are regarded as
  meaningful and appropriate by the community of
  scientific observers. An etic construct is
  correctly termed etic if and only if it is in
  accord with the epistemological principles deemed
  appropriate by science (i.e., etic constructs
  must be precise, logical, comprehensive,
  replicable, falsifiable, and observer
  independent). The validation of etic knowledge
  thus becomes a matter of logical and empirical
  analysis--in particular, the logical analysis of
  whether the construct meets the standards of
  falsifiability, comprehensiveness, and logical
  consistency, and then the empirical analysis of
  whether or not the concept has been falsified
  and/or replicated.

http//faculty.ircc.edu/faculty/jlett/Article20on
20Emics20and20Etics.htm
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Thought question

• What perspectives presented in the articles were
  disturbing for you or raised issues that you
  arent yet ready to resolve?

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Main points

• There is no one right way of thinking about
  disability.
• Definitions of disability (who is disabled, what
  particular behaviors indicate the presence of a
  disability, what skill limitations constitute a
  disability) are dependent on the values and
  beliefs of a particular group at a particular
  place and time.

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Main points, cont.

• Even if there is agreement as to whether an
  individual has a limitation of a particular kind,
  there may not be agreement across societies as to
  whether that limitation constitutes a disability
  or not.
• Our assumptions about the obviousness of a
  particular kind of disability are a product of
  our upbringing, not necessarily a fact.

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The National Federation of the Blind of
Connecticut believes blindness is merely an
inconvenience and, with proper skills and
training, a blind individual can obtain success
in his or her personal and professional life.
http//www.nfbct.org/html/learn.htm
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Looking ahead

• Topic Theoretical frameworks -- overview
• Read Jones (1996) AND Rosenblum Travis (2006)

Note These are VERY heavy duty readings you
will need to start on them no later than by the
weekend.
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Please take a minute for the minute paper.