Cinematic Savior: Hollywood's Making of the American Christ
and Jesus of Hollywood
According to this article the main idea tends to center around two different individuals who have their ideas about what was the real Jesus Christ like and how his life really was and what his relationship to Christians around the world. The general audience for this article could be directed towards Christians and Non-Christian believers alike. The main purpose for this audience would seem to reinforce what Christians already believe and to educate and reinforce what Non-Christians believes about Jesus Christ.
The article also focuses on the argument that Hollywood’s portrayal of Jesus Christ’s life as in contrast to what these two individuals portray. This article then continually to focus on the lifestyle of Christ which is the center piece of the Christian faith and these two individuals have written books and articles that attack the events of his life and lifestyle in such a way that it clearly undermines the Christian faith altogether.
The proof of this article is directed to a specific audience is pretty obvious because not all people have an interest in what is being said about Christ , and a lot of Anti-Christians more than likely welcome the article to support there theories and perceptions about Christ and Christian believers in general. The article pulls in a lot of fact to support its main points to keep the reader actively reading to what is being said.
This article is logically organized with a lot of comparing and contrasting between each writer and what Hollywood has portrayed him. The idea that the writer tries to put a lot of mind is one of doubt and second guessing in the mind of the audience to undermine what he/she already knows and believes about Christ, but at the same time it is written in such a way not to make the writers look bad in their portrayal of a lot of the Hollywood movies over exaggerate things about Christ as well, and at different points in the article Hollywood itself it criticized about its portrayal of Christ and the criticism is justifiable and true to some extent.
The key idea that I get from this article is that Hollywood and others will always have their version of who Christ is and what he is not, and that this is a topic that has been going on for decades in movies, articles and in books. I got the impression that there are people and organizations that want to criticize and slander the life and life style of Christ and really have no understanding about who Christ really is and what he represents for all of mankind, but yet most of them continue to celebrate Christmas and Easter with those of truly believe in him.
Referenced Article
(2007). Cinematic Savior: Hollywood's Making of the American Christ and Jesus of Hollywood. The Journal of Popular Culture, 40, (6) (December 2007), p. 1078-1079. Retrieved February 10, 2008 from http://journals.ohiolink.edu/ejc/article.cgi?issn=00223840&issue=v40i0006&article=1078_cshmotacajoh
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Assignment 5-1 Weekly Analysis
Technology and its effect on Culture
According, Webster's Online Dictionary (2008), "technology is the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area: a capability given by the practical application a manner of accomplishing a task by using the specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor" (Webster's Online Dictionary 2008). In today's cultures the impact of technology has shaped the lives of many, and has crossed all demographical profiles of people around the world. According to Wikipedia, (2008) "technology deals with a species' usage and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how it affects a species' ability to control and adapt to its environment. In human society, it is a consequence of science and engineering" (Wikipedia, 2008).
Technology is involved in every aspect of our everyday lives in one shape or another and it can be considered one of the most fundamental components of every culture and society, and without technology every culture and society would struggle to survive or even have the ability to exist without it. Technology does not just have an effect on the people in a culture or society; it has a direct effect on every aspect of the very environment that it is a part of, either it can be a negative effect or positive effect.
All technology has its good and bad points within our society and culture. We as people must understand that a particular type of technology that is used in one culture may not work as efficient in another; also introducing certain some technoligies in certain environments can have very negative and harsh consequences if not properly handled or used. We all can agree on e thing we have both good and bad technology, and we as a society must be more responsible in what we do with it in our lives.
Works CitedMerriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2008). Definition of technology.Retrieved February 7, 2008, from http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/technology
Wikipedia. (2007). Education. Retrieved February 7, 2008, fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/technology
According, Webster's Online Dictionary (2008), "technology is the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area: a capability given by the practical application a manner of accomplishing a task by using the specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor" (Webster's Online Dictionary 2008). In today's cultures the impact of technology has shaped the lives of many, and has crossed all demographical profiles of people around the world. According to Wikipedia, (2008) "technology deals with a species' usage and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how it affects a species' ability to control and adapt to its environment. In human society, it is a consequence of science and engineering" (Wikipedia, 2008).
Technology is involved in every aspect of our everyday lives in one shape or another and it can be considered one of the most fundamental components of every culture and society, and without technology every culture and society would struggle to survive or even have the ability to exist without it. Technology does not just have an effect on the people in a culture or society; it has a direct effect on every aspect of the very environment that it is a part of, either it can be a negative effect or positive effect.
All technology has its good and bad points within our society and culture. We as people must understand that a particular type of technology that is used in one culture may not work as efficient in another; also introducing certain some technoligies in certain environments can have very negative and harsh consequences if not properly handled or used. We all can agree on e thing we have both good and bad technology, and we as a society must be more responsible in what we do with it in our lives.
Works CitedMerriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2008). Definition of technology.Retrieved February 7, 2008, from http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/technology
Wikipedia. (2007). Education. Retrieved February 7, 2008, fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/technology
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Assignment 4-1 Weekly Analysis
Education in Culture
Education has shaped and impacted the lives of many people with different demographical profiles. Education can determine the hobbies, career paths, fashion styles, religious practices sad behaviors of people no matter what culture they belong too.. Education is made up of teaching, imparting and the learning of specific skills, and it also includes the imparting of knowledge, positive judgment and well-developed wisdom..
The U.S. Department of Education (1994) asked the question “Are There Universal Forms of Teaching That Will Equally and Adequately Address Classrooms of Students of Diverse Cultures? And the response was:
“Critics of the cultural compatibility movement too often leap to a dismissive conclusion, that classrooms cannot possibly be compatible with more than one, and often a great many cultures, therefore cultural dimensions of teaching/learning are irrelevant and the awareness of the variables in which cultural incompatibilities interfere with teaching/learning alerts us to possibilities for correction and rearrangement” (U.S. Department of Education 1994).
In today’s societies the education systems must continually be dynamic so that our culture can stay in pace with the ever changing dynamics of the classroom so truly, “no child is left behind”. A reason that our educational system has to be dynamic, is that cultures themselves are dynamic and most cultures are not just made up of “native” people as much as it used to be and because of the many subcultures that exist in most communities these days, the education system must be ready to transition ad the cultures change or its students will start to fall in between the cracks and not be able to get the necessary education that they will need to become productive adults within their own society.
When an educational system is not prepared for multiple cultures existing in these system it does not just effect the quality of the education, it adds other distractions, such as religious practices, time for meditation and prayer, eating habits, clothing restrictions, and teaching practices. When these distractions are factored in, and unfortunately it often takes away from the over all learning process and procedures and overall complicates the education process.
Works Cited
U.S.Department of Education (1994). Systemic Reform - Perspectives on Personalizing Education. Retrieved January 27, 2008, from
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/SysReforms/tharp4.html
Education has shaped and impacted the lives of many people with different demographical profiles. Education can determine the hobbies, career paths, fashion styles, religious practices sad behaviors of people no matter what culture they belong too.. Education is made up of teaching, imparting and the learning of specific skills, and it also includes the imparting of knowledge, positive judgment and well-developed wisdom..
The U.S. Department of Education (1994) asked the question “Are There Universal Forms of Teaching That Will Equally and Adequately Address Classrooms of Students of Diverse Cultures? And the response was:
“Critics of the cultural compatibility movement too often leap to a dismissive conclusion, that classrooms cannot possibly be compatible with more than one, and often a great many cultures, therefore cultural dimensions of teaching/learning are irrelevant and the awareness of the variables in which cultural incompatibilities interfere with teaching/learning alerts us to possibilities for correction and rearrangement” (U.S. Department of Education 1994).
In today’s societies the education systems must continually be dynamic so that our culture can stay in pace with the ever changing dynamics of the classroom so truly, “no child is left behind”. A reason that our educational system has to be dynamic, is that cultures themselves are dynamic and most cultures are not just made up of “native” people as much as it used to be and because of the many subcultures that exist in most communities these days, the education system must be ready to transition ad the cultures change or its students will start to fall in between the cracks and not be able to get the necessary education that they will need to become productive adults within their own society.
When an educational system is not prepared for multiple cultures existing in these system it does not just effect the quality of the education, it adds other distractions, such as religious practices, time for meditation and prayer, eating habits, clothing restrictions, and teaching practices. When these distractions are factored in, and unfortunately it often takes away from the over all learning process and procedures and overall complicates the education process.
Works Cited
U.S.Department of Education (1994). Systemic Reform - Perspectives on Personalizing Education. Retrieved January 27, 2008, from
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/SysReforms/tharp4.html
Assignment 3-1 Weekly Analysis
Movies and how they affect Culture
Movies in recent times has crossed the many demographical profiles of people around the world and has shaped our perception on things such as what we chose as hobbies, career paths, fashion styles, what we eat, what we buy, and the places we travel. Movies have always shaped and distorted our political views and our perception of issues such as Terrorism (The Kingdom, 2007), Espionage (The Bourne Ultimatum, 2007), and Relationships (Hitch, 2005) have always been the storylines of movies through out the years.
Movies are made to appeal to what the viewers like, we have to understand its not just about watching a movie, its also about major companies advertising their product and businesses to viewers on a larger scale by making their products a part of the movie itself for example; in the movie (Transformers, 2007), every vehicles you seen, except in one scene was a General Motors vehicles, even the “Autobots” themselves were General Motors vehicles.
The list on how a movie affects every culture around the world and how they play an important role in our everyday lives can be shared in many ways. We have to also know how movies affects or perception in our cultures are not always good as well; because all movies are not made to appease and amuse us, some are even made to protest something, causes us to question what we believe about ourselves, our belief systems, our governments, or whatever it is that is a part of our everyday lives, movies will continually be a determining factor in the shape and destiny of our culture.
Movies in recent times has crossed the many demographical profiles of people around the world and has shaped our perception on things such as what we chose as hobbies, career paths, fashion styles, what we eat, what we buy, and the places we travel. Movies have always shaped and distorted our political views and our perception of issues such as Terrorism (The Kingdom, 2007), Espionage (The Bourne Ultimatum, 2007), and Relationships (Hitch, 2005) have always been the storylines of movies through out the years.
Movies are made to appeal to what the viewers like, we have to understand its not just about watching a movie, its also about major companies advertising their product and businesses to viewers on a larger scale by making their products a part of the movie itself for example; in the movie (Transformers, 2007), every vehicles you seen, except in one scene was a General Motors vehicles, even the “Autobots” themselves were General Motors vehicles.
The list on how a movie affects every culture around the world and how they play an important role in our everyday lives can be shared in many ways. We have to also know how movies affects or perception in our cultures are not always good as well; because all movies are not made to appease and amuse us, some are even made to protest something, causes us to question what we believe about ourselves, our belief systems, our governments, or whatever it is that is a part of our everyday lives, movies will continually be a determining factor in the shape and destiny of our culture.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Assignment 2-2: Icon Analysis
In our lives we will be exposed to many contemporary icons, rather it is a person, a group of people, or something physically tangible. I personally have had many favorite contemporary icons and if any of the three icons I can consider my all time favorites, it would be Bill Gates, Bugs Bunny, and Michael Jordan.
Bill Gates My first favorite contemporary icon is Bill Gates. He is the co-founder of Microsoft Corporation and I admire his determination to find a way to accomplish a dream it seems to be no way. I learned from his life that more than a college degree is needed to succeed, you must also believe in yourself and in what you believe in. I also learned that to be successful you have to surround yourself with people that believe in you as well, and once you succeed in a goal in your life, you must always remember give back to the community that surrounds you and beyond and when you give, always give in love.
Bugs BunnyMy second favorite contemporary icon is Bugs Bunny who is a cartoon character from Warner Brothers who was created in the 1950’s. I really like the personality Bugs Bunny has so much because his personality resembles mine in so many ways, and every time I watch him it reminds me of some of the mischievous things I got into as a child and throughout my life. The lessons I learned form watching him reminds me of the kid and silliness I still display at the age of 40 and even today I still enjoy watching him on television.
Michael Jordan My third favorite contemporary icon is Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan is one of the greatest examples of learning how to do the best at what you do and what I learned from his life is that the more experience someone has doesn’t always mean you will be the best. Michael Jordan’s determination to be the best he can be and do what it takes to do it, showed me how to be good at all I do. I also learned that when I at my best, people around me sometimes will purpose to be at their best.
Assignment 2-1: Weekly Written Analysis 2
The Cultural Effects from Music: Rap and Hip-Hop Music
The cultural effects from Rap and Hip-Hop Music has shaped the lives of many people, and has crossed all the demographical profiles around the world. Rap and Hip-Hop Music has affected the hobbies, career paths, fashion styles, perceptions of many cultures. Rap and Hip-Hop Music has changed and added to the common languages that are used in most cultures. According to Wikipedia, (2008), Rap and Hip-Hop Music is a genre of music typically consisting of a rhythmic style of speaking called rap over backing beats performed on a turntable by a DJ. The term “rap” is sometimes used synonymously with hip hop music (Wikipedia, 2008). One of the unique characteristics of this genre of music is that it has its own stylistic diversification that allows it to have a style and sound that can be very different amongst different cultures.
Rap and Hip-Hop Music has long been an expression of people from different cultures since the late 1970’s Rap and Hip-Hop Music has affected cultures around the world, and is one of the most power forms of music that continually has influenced laws, politics, and bringing people and cultures together in such a way that even militaries and heads of state have fail to do.
In times past the question has been asked; “Does music affect society?” the answers to this question is, yes. Music does affect our society in many ways, music challenges the laws, moral standards and has targeted a specific group’s behavior and because the subcultures in our society tend to embrace a particular style of music it is often the centerpiece of conflict and difference of opinions. As long as we have Rap and Hip-Hop Music and cultures co-existing with each Rap and Hip-Hop Music will always be an integral part of these different cultures regardless of the laws, moral standards that our society has in place.
Works Cited
Wikipedia. (2008). Hip Hop Music. Retrieved January 17, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rap_music
Sunday, January 6, 2008
What is Popular Culture?
What is Popular Culture?
According to The University of Calvary (2001), popular culture is situated in between the definitions of high culture and folk culture, popular culture is whatever they are not. If it is not high culture then it cannot be unique or difficult and popular culture must remain within known boundaries (The University of Calvary 2001). To me personally popular culture is everything that makes and shape culture no matter where you are in the world and it’s very specific to its local culture and society. In my understanding of popular culture when it relates to business it is very important for me to know the local and foreign cultures because my career path is will give me the opportunity to travel to many places and meet many different people from other cultures and knowing what these cultures are like in order to gain a better understanding of the individuals I will do business with.
According to The University of Calvary (2001), popular culture is situated in between the definitions of high culture and folk culture, popular culture is whatever they are not. If it is not high culture then it cannot be unique or difficult and popular culture must remain within known boundaries (The University of Calvary 2001). To me personally popular culture is everything that makes and shape culture no matter where you are in the world and it’s very specific to its local culture and society. In my understanding of popular culture when it relates to business it is very important for me to know the local and foreign cultures because my career path is will give me the opportunity to travel to many places and meet many different people from other cultures and knowing what these cultures are like in order to gain a better understanding of the individuals I will do business with.
Pop Culture Artifact
A movie to me would qualify as a piece of pop culture because it would fit the definition of what pop culture is and seen though in some ways it could be found in other tpes of cultures. Movies in themselves can be very dynamic in content, storyline and subject matter, and movies most of the time is a visual artifact of what we see in pop cultures and sub-cultures around the world and will continue to be as long as civilizations and cultures arise and change.
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