Immigration Attitudes
I read an article titled “Social Factors Influencing Immigration Attitudes” from the Social Science Journal. This was an internet research assignment – I ansered a series of questions, from Mr. Bundy, to make sure I understood the major points. I’m fairly skeptical of statistical data. It seems a bit aggressive to make conclusions on general social behaviors and attitudes of a broad culture when such a small number were interviewed, e.g., around 3000 people were questioned, but this is very small in comparison to the US population. I wonder, where were the people from in the US? The micro cultures in a single major city are very dynamic, and I’m not sure what to think about the sub-burbs, but they seem generally conservative. In addition, I wonder, who was asked and what type of people are willing to take the time to fill out a survey? Regardless, I found it interesting that politically conservative people were generally against immigration while those who graduated college tended to be more accepting. Anyhow, just thoughts on the run.
Source: “Social Factors Influencing Immigration Attitudes” by Charles R.Chandler and Yung-mei Tsai in Social Science Journal. 2001, Vol 38, Issue 2, pp: 177-190.
All Night Long
After a very nice night out with friends, on the way home, I reflected on Nero Nava’s “Oh Asa, Oh Rose.” This will be one of the last pictures taken with my trustworthy Sony Ericsson; the new iPhone is coming July 11th, and my little (well, actually big and clunky) Ericsson will dream with the fishes. “Oh Rose, I wish we can. Oh Asa, I can be your man…”
Immigrants, Refugees, Acculturation
I finished Chapter 4, Immigrants, Refugees, and the Acculturation Process, from the text book, Multicultural Psychology.
This chapter started about by defining immigrants and refugees. Immigrants are those who chose, or planned, to relocate to a new country, and refugees are those who were forced out of their country, e.g., by violence, war, and etc. The way immigrants and refugees experience adaptation to the new culture is very different, and this is due part into the factor of choice – immigrants choose and plan relocation where as refugees have little to no choice or planning.
Acculturation was a substantial subject in this chapter, and this is the “experiences and changes that groups and individuals undergo” while associating to other cultures. The book shared two very similar acculturation models for immigrants and ethnic minorities, respectively Berry (1990,1997) and LaFramboise (1993). I was particularly interested in “integrationist” from Berry’s model and the “alternationist” from LaFramboise’s model, maybe more notes on this later.
In addition to the homework, I’m considering the subject for my research project: either an aspect of communication or genetic intelligence within a multicultural context.
Chapter 4 Review
I finished the review for chapter 4. This is for a pop quiz on Monday. I’m still having a little trouble with proofs given certain circumstances, but it is easy for me to derive answers for figuring angle measures and etc. I think this has to do with my spatial strength, i.e., being able to see and work through problems. However, putting the proofs into language is a bit more difficult. The spacial idea came to me when reading a comment in Wired magazine. Regarding intelligence tests, an individual commented on the difficulty some individuals experience when asked to rotate an images in their mind; he recommended rotating the paper – however, for me, it is very easy to rotate shapes in my mind, whereas other areas I have more difficulty. I will go over the linguistic element of proofs in the near future. I understand the importance, for this is the conceptual aspect and how geometry is communicated.
Math-37 Late Start
I’m getting a late start on my Math-37 notes – I was caught up with finishing notes on The Doorway. I’m two weeks into the course, and I’ve completed several chapters from the geometry text, subjects from basic geometric definitions and theorems to proofs. Things are going smooth; I believe I did well on the first exam, chapters 2 & 3. I will be more consistent on notes at this point, and I’m looking forward to strengthening my mathematical foundation.
Math-37: Trigonometry with Geometry
Plane trigonometry, with topics from plane geometry. Includes circular and right triangle trigonometric functions; trigonometric equations, graphs and identities; triangle solutions; polar coordinates. Also includes congruence, properties of polygons, parallel lines, similarity, areas, volumes, and coordinate geometry. read more »
Pscn-13 Late Start
I’m two weeks and four chapters into an online Multicultural Psychology course with Steven Bundy. I’m really enjoying the class, and it certainly is a sleeper course. The course is very well organized, and I really am enjoying the personal study time. In addition, this is the first semester I’m working with a spacing technique for studying, and this course is included in this trial.
I had a lot of ideas during the reading and research work, however, I was still getting caught up on other necessities left over from The Doorway. A brief breakdown, so far I’ve studied the meaning of (ch1) Multiculutre Society, (ch2) Multiculure Issues Involving Research and Testing, (ch3) Differences in Worldviews, and (ch4) Differences in Communication. I enjoyed the chapter on communication the most, for I was fascinated with the two main types of communication: high- and low-context. High context is communication that is indirect or almost symbolic. Like a man wanted his son to take garbage out, he would put a garbage on the kitchen counter when he new his son would use the kitchen. Low-context is linguistic direct or literal, e.g., “take the garbage out kid!” I was even more fascinated by how the types of communication varies between different ethnic cultures.
Anyhow, I’m looking forward to logging ideas and notes for the rest of this course.
Pscn-13: Multicultural Psychology
Exploration of issues relating to the multicultural community in which we live today. Focus on intercultural relationships and communication concepts leading to improving the individual’s understanding of other cultures and how cultural differences and multiculturalism impact current American lifestyle. Examples from various culture groups will be highlighted including African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-Latino American, Native American, Middle-Eastern American, Gay-Lesbian American and Disabled American. This is an online course. read more »
No Longer Loving Longing
As I mentioned in The Doorway Presentation notes on Nero Nava, I experienced an artistic renaissance during the last several production weeks for The Doorway. In my two week visit to the city, and amidst in depth conversations and collaberation for The Doorway and beyond, Nero was inspired and wrote “No Longer Loving Longing” in a matter of minutes – you may listen to the song below.
The next day, I halted movie editing, and we made an early morning studio trip to capture guitar and vocal tracks. I proudly engineered a successful session, and that night we celebrated the song with the San Francisco night life – I saw the sunrise and had a great time, but unfortunately, I was stunted by incomplete editing from the previous day and went home battered and exhausted with a parade of emotional thoughts. When I awoke; I had a vision that completed the The Doorway: the phone call and silent scream mentioned in the presentation notes.
As a side note, this song was considered for the final credits of The Doorway, but Nero and I decided the final series of live action sequences were too strong – the movie stood on it’s own. The songs simplicity is in the spirit of The Doorway, i.e., less is more, and ultimately, I love the song and what it represents: a memorable and powerful renaissance.
Nero Nava’s “No Longer Loving Longing” from The Invitation to Love:
The Doorway - Now Playing Online
Following is the final newsletter announcing the online premier of The Doorway:
Dear Friends, Family, Mentors, and Colleagues,
The June 5th premier of The Doorway was one of the most amazing evenings of my life. Thank you to everyone who attended and made it so memorable; I couldn’t ask for a better way to wrap up my education at Las Positas College.
For those who didn’t attend the premier, you may view the movie online; however, I highly recommend reading through the presentation notes. The presentation outline enhances the experience – it includes a video version of the intro, past cinematic work, guest speaker summaries, extra information, and cinematic work not shown at the premier. It isn’t as powerful as witnessing the presentation first hand, but it will certainly add to the impact of the movie.
With that said, this is the last newsletter, and from this point on I will only make minor changes to the movie, project page, and presentation, so thank you again!
Sincerely,
Joel