COMM 11; Purposive Communication

MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Student: Oshzha Bea Shekinah D Zaldua Date: November 19, 2020
Course: BSGE 1

1. As a 21st century learner, I have observed that through communication technologies we have become both
unified and diversified. It is without a doubt that our current technology has made global communication easy
and less hassle to the point we don’t even need expensive plane tickets just to talk with our friends from
Russia or Italy. It is because of the internet and out-of-the-word phone features that we can travel the
world virtually. Various social media platforms have enabled us to connect with other people from different
race and culture and we get to know more about them and their country. We get to know them as who they
are as other citizens. We get to understand why they do such traditions and what story lies behind them. We
get to appreciate other cultures that are far from different from what we’ve grown with. We get to be open
of other things in the world and be reminded that other cultures are important too. This is what unifies us.
This is what brings us closer. The idea of being able to understand and be open to different beauties in our
world is what brings solidarity. Our differences are what make us one. Ironic, but it rings true. To know that
even if we have different beliefs and traditions, we still arrive at a common ground, we’re all humans living in
the same world. Realizing these was made possible because of different media outlets all over the world
tirelessly educating us on what’s happening in their own places. People in social media are proudly sharing their
culture to everybody, incorporating them on dance, photos, songs, movies, and many more. Because of
technology, people around the world were able to found out the injustices of white police officers on Black
people in the U.S. and the world we’re able to amplify the voice of Black Lives Matter movement once again,
although this issue has been brought up many years ago. Through social media, different journalism companies
were brought up with the genocide that occurred in Congo, other countries were also notified on the tragic
typhoon that recently hit places in Luzon and they were also able to extend help.

Communication technologies helped us on being informed and this drive us to act on what we know
and to extend help in whatever way we can.

We can’t also disregard the changes that time brought with these technologies we have now. We are a
developing world and it continues to bring us different and improved stuff. Now, there are various platforms
to know about the other parts of the world and is more accessible to everyone. What remains the same are
the people that carry on with the changes that are happening.

2. To be honest, yes I have considered that global market and products have contributed to regional
culture’s marginalization. According to a study by Timothy O. Randhir (2016) on the impacts of globalization on
local commons, locals are highly vulnerable to the effects of globalization under increasing pressure for
extracting ecosystem products and services to supply local and global markets. Globalization can increase resource
exploitation in exporting countries, with rapid geographic and temporal spread in extraction rates. (Berkes et al. 2006)

In the east Africa, the globalization in Somalia has been a great threat to local businesses especially those who cannot
compete with the foreign goods imported from the developed countries which results to some businesses closing down. In
their country, no one was able to protect the local manufacturing business with the unfair competition with foreign
sophisticated technology made goods.

The process of globalization has submerged the growth and development potential of
underdeveloped economies by establishing rules and principles that are in conflict with the requisite
conditions of their evolutionary process. In addition, this has been detrimental to the effective use of
economic resources of the underdeveloped economies and regenerating a cycle of underdevelopment and its
concomitants such as poverty, famine, health hazards, and insecurity, among others. (Ali, 2012)

Globalization has both positive and negative consequences; it is positive to the development as it will give
rise to new industries and more jobs in developing countries and it is negative in that it will force
poorer underdeveloped countries of the world to do whatever the big developed countries tell them to
do (Rucks, Blokland, White, &Bachelor, 2005)

It is disappointing to see many global market has been using local resources and underpaying their workers
so that they could big more profit. And it’s more disappoint while the government does not care about it.

On a different perspective also, global products are being advertised entirely on all platforms including
social media. They hire social media influencers to promote their products and such audiences are also lured
because it’s being used by their favourite social media personality. This has also affected many local businesses in
a lot of way. Media has played a big part in promoting global market. However, with media being used a channel
to boost products; many local businesses are also going with the trend which has opened many opportunities for
them.

3. Yes, I would say that empathy could be one of the tools to overcome cultural gaps. Being able to
understand what other feel is imperative in understanding cross cultural issues. Even though we haven’t
personally encountered what they have been through but to put our feet in their shoes would be a great factor
to break any cultural barriers we have.

Intercultural communicators must be open-minded to what he/she will have to encounter when meeting new
people with different background. There are things that we didn’t get used to but are normal to other people.
Reacting differently may also offend other people. If something is new and peculiar to us, we must be open-
minded and not judge them easily. If possible, you could ask them respectfully about their culture or best learn
before coming or talking to them. Whichever works as long as our curiosity is put and used in the right time
and right tone. Another character that needs to be possessed when having cross-culture conversations is
respectful. There will be many times you won’t agree with people with different beliefs and culture, that is a
given. However, we should not shove in our beliefs to them and force them to change theirs. We must create
a safe space for them to be open also on their culture. There also should be courtesy, consideration, and
kindness. In my belief, educating first yourself on their traditions and culture is one of the very first step.
Knowing what acts offend them, what words to avoid, what gestures that might mislead them. We need to
know the cultural implications and limits.

Empathy is defined as the ability to sense other people' s emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what
someone else might be thinking or feeling. If you have empathy towards other people, then you are willing to
understand them. You are willing to listen to what they have to say even if it doesn’t align to your principles.
Being empathetic allows us to be more open and have a positive attitude towards different scenarios. Being
empathetic helps us to be better at communicating to people with different language, race, and background.