Prompt, Critical Reflection 4: Said and Huntington
What?: Explain the three meanings of Orientalism discussed by Said. What distinction is necessary in order for the concept of “The Orient” to exist? How is discourse a form of power and oppression? Doe discourse determine what is said or thought about the Orient?
So What?: Huntington and Said are two world-renowned scholars. How do their viewpoints on the Orient differ? Is Huntington’s argument an Orientalist discourse? Review the critiques of ethnography discussed in class. Explain how the same critiques can be applied to Huntington’s conceptualization of culture, or explain why you do not believe these critiques are relevant to Huntington’s argument.
Now What?: Provide an example of an “othering” discourse in the news, social media, Hollywood, etc. that applies to the people at your community partner site. How is this discourse central to the structural inequalities that people at your community partner site must confront?
