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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Full Essay ~ #1a




Globalisation can be defined as the increasing cross-border interaction and integration of various aspects of human activity. Based on this view of globalisation, identify one problematic area of the phenomenon and discuss its influence on contemporary society. What actual or possible means are there to ameliorate the issue you have highlighted?


a.  Description of a situation



Al-Rodhan (2006) defines globalisation as a process "that has been impacting communities, cultures, and economies for hundreds of years. It is a result of the transnational and transcultural integrations that have occurred globally throughout human history." This phenomenon is not totally a new idea, but it has occurred for the past few decades, in particular Americanisation. American has successfully been widespread that it has accumulated, concentrated and to an extent transform foreign culture in Southeast Asia (SEA). 

b.  Identification of a problem


The Malay culture in SEA has been exposed and influenced by the sexual and violent characteristic of American films. This has resulted in a mixed reaction among the Malays of Singapore on a moral basis that compromises the acceptance of certain cultural practice or action that contains traits of the American culture. The exposure of American culture is inevitable with the creation of Internet and social media platforms which have enabled Hollywood news and gossips to be known easily and vastly. Various websites that is dedicated to Hollywood news like 'hollywoodlife.com', 'accesshollywood.com' and the likes of video sharing websites such as 'Youtube' has allowed American film industry to venture into worldwide market. With sex and violence, two components that are highly associated with American films in general, transcultural integration is one main factor made these American culture influencing Malay culture, through adaptation.

A survey conducted has show that seventy-five percent of Americans felt that television had too much sexually explicit material (Anderson, 2007). Joshua Hooberman (2011), a clinical psychologist, states that sex and violence are intertwined, interrelated in some form that makes them a unit, that gets attention and commotion. With almost all American  films contains some scenes of nudity at some part of the movie, this creates some sexual arousal that grabs audiences to view the film. As such, the Malay film industry of SEA has been bold in its concept and plot. More 'sexual intimate' scenes are now seen in Malay films such as 'Bohsia', and 'Sepet'. The concept of including some sex scene in films is trending. Furthermore, American films that portray violence in sensational storyline has influenced Malay film producers to make gangster theme movies. The rise of 'KL Gangster' which was one of the first Malaysian-made films to reach the collection point of 10 million RM in local cinemas, is one prominent example. The storyline follows the basic outline of an Hollywood Action movie, that has exaggerated scenes of violence. Critics has sparked an outcry of these new Malay films are trending to follow the Hollywood, which deteriorates the innocent and subtle nature of the Malay community through violence and sex portrayed in Malay local films.    
 


 c.  Description of a solution

Varies measures has been done to ensure the public viewed filtered content of Malay films that are deem acceptable, such as the setting up of the board of film censorship. This board of censorship is responsible for rating each Malay film that is produced and reviewed, before they hit the cinemas, to prevent public controversies. Thus, each film will be rated to inform the public of the age restriction that is associated with the movie. This will create an awareness, especially to parents, on deciding the films that their children will view


d.  Evaluation of the solution

On a general consensus, the board of censorship has been a success, whereby their rating of a Malay movie is reflective of its content. However, on main constraint will be that the Internet has allowed any films to be made available online. Thus, children that are underage to view certain movie are able to view them on online website
such as 'Youtube' or 'Dailymotion'. The Malay culture in SEA has certainly been affected and influenced greatly by American media, which has now produced Malay products that mimics some form of America values.

References.


Al-Rodhan, N. (2006, June 19). Definitions of Globalization: A Comprehensive Overview and a Proposed Definition. Retrieved October 7, 2013, from Sustainablehistory Web site: www.sustainablehistory.com/articles/definitions-of-globalization.pdf

Anderson, K. (2007, March 4). Sex and Violence on Television - A Christian Worldview Perspective. Retrieved October 8, 2013, from www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4217947/k.37E8/Sex_and_Violence_on_Television.htm


Hooberman, J. (2011, May 6). Bloodlust in America: Sex and Violence are Comfortable Bedfellows. Retrieved October 7, 2013, from http://hypervocal.com/culture/2011/bloodlust-in-america-sex-and-violence-are-comfortable-bedfellows/

3 comments:

Pakwei said...

Hello Ipin! Here's the comments from Jocelyn and I:

1. Main topic focus is clear.
2. Good background information.
3. Yes.
4. Thesis statement could be more specific. Author could explain how it affect the particular culture, and which country does this trend affects.
5. Solution is clear.
6. However, for the part on the evaluation, the author contradicts himself by explaining how the solution he posted is ineffective. Hence, by doing so, he brings up another new problem instead.
7. Yes, it creates awareness at a basic level, but this level of awareness is insufficient to solve the problem.
8. No, no expert opinion is presented.
9. No. If the context of Malay culture is derived from Islamic values, why then is a Christian perspective been referenced? How is it relevant since Americanization is originated a Christian sphere? More references on Malay culture on how it condones violence could be presented instead.
10. Yes.
11. Yes.
12. Example, in the first paragraph, "…accumulated, concentrated and to an extent transform foreign culture", transform > transformed. Another example would be in the second paragraph, "this has resulted in a mixed reaction" > "in mixed reactions".
13. Overall language: 6
14. Overall content: 6
15. Overall organization: 6

Thanks!

Cheers,
Pak Wei

Ipin said...

Thanks Pak Wei & Jocelyn for these awesome feedback! Appreciate it!!! ^^

smiles,
Ipin

Brad Blackstone said...

Let's work on this in class.

Thanks!