Including Asian Literature in the Saudi Curriculm (Research Paper Sample)

Including Asian Literature in the Saudi Curriculum
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Including Asian Literature in the Saudi Curriculum
Introduction
The study of distinct literatures in Saudi Arabia, in a given sense needs to incorporate deeply the study of Asian literature including the heritage of its culture. Conversely, new identities of culture that become created due to the contact with Asian literature mark quite a number of the current orientations of the same literature (Michigan State University. 2013). This seems to be becoming clear in the case of Saudi Arabia where some literary modern movements seem indebted to the influence by the writers of Asian literature. Thus, in Saudi Arabia, the emergence of new identities in culture tends to be thought inseparable from the influence of Asian literature. This is so, as embedded within the new Saudi’s literatures tend to be the new ways of imagination and perception, including the new sensibilities that come along with the literature (Michigan State University. 2013). This paper thereby, discusses the inclusion of Asia literature in the education system of Saudi Arabia with regard to the importance of cultural awareness, globalization, and collaboration.
The Importance of Cultural Awareness.
Cultures describe the ways inhabitants of various countries conduct themselves in their day to day to life (Norton, 2012). Several cultural traditions within Saudi Arabia stand made distinct in Arabian Peninsula. The traditions setting it apart from quite a number of countries are the segregation of gender that men and women follow strictly. Men in homes, organizations, and offices tend to have additional rights compared to women (Norton, 2012). Such differences have far been highlighted by both Asian and other researchers, as well as books. With regard to rights, the Saudi women of recent tend to be much influenced by the entire Asian culture, as well as the western culture. Before, theaters and films became banned in Saudi so as to observe strict Wahhabi traditions (Norton, 2012). Conversely, as from 2009, the citizens of Saudi became more comfortable to watch movies as the directors of these movies were from the country itself. The IMAX and other theatres across Asia and the entire world now stand open for the citizens of Saudi Arabia. This development brought about the existence of public theatres in Ras Tanura and Dhahran. These theatres gain their popularity from the fact that they mostly feature traditional theatre productions, arts and music (Norton, 2012).
As in other Asian countries that practice Islam, Saudi Arabia can be viewed as a country of collectivism both in organizational and business perspective. In Saudi organizations, collectivism has been rated to be high thereby ensuring employee loyalty. It is the belief of higher authorities, that commitment and loyalty among employees tend to be increased by collectivism thereby, ensuring success within the organization. This is not far from the belief of many of the other Asian countries. With this regard if literature from the entire Asia becomes include in the Saudi’s curriculum, students would learn more of this collectivism attributes (Tòtòsy, Jay & University of Alberta. 2007). Moreover, among Asian countries that in one way or another do not embrace collectivism, it will be a good avenue to know the reasons and how such countries seem to fair on. Such effects can not only be observed on the fronts of economic growth but also on the social front. Most Asian literature either in form of poems, articles and books among others bring out aspects of collectivism and hospitality among other traits that Saudi Arabia embraces (Tòtòsy, Jay & University of Alberta. 2007).
Indigenous literature that take the form of traditions and oral stories before the claimed civilization by the Western culture. The indigenous people of Saudi Arabia created epic legends, songs, ceremonies and tales in their language reflecting the unique historical and social experience of the Saudis. Such became passed from one generation to another. The elderly persons within the village would tell the tribal ancient tells of magical events, epic hunts, battles and migrations. Such tales seemed fit into forms that appear similar to other cultures’ epic poems. After 1980s, the indigenous authors apart from tapping their heritage to prolifically write in other Asian languages, started working in a confident to ensure their native language stories become published by use of Romanized alphabet (Tòtòsy, Jay & University of Alberta. 2007). This became done with the hope that their ancestor’s tongue would be preserved to ensure their future generations continue to dialogue in this language across space and time. Now in print, as of the other Asian countries, the indigenous experience of Saudi Arabia tends to be available increasingly for all to enjoy and treasure. Due to the availability of such literature especially of the other Asian countries, Saudi’s curriculum needs to put it into consideration that such should be incorporated in the system so as to learn more as far as the Continent’s literature is concerned (Tòtòsy, Jay & University of Alberta. 2007).
Concerning music which tends to be an important part of literature and as far as culture is concerned, Al Ardha, Saudi’s national dance appears to be the most captivating of all the other culture traits. Centered on Bedouin traditions is the popular sword dance. Poetry and verses are sung and chanted by a singer and poet respectively on which men, shoulder to shoulder dance with swords. Dances, in Jeddah, Medina and Mecca include the Mizmaar sounds that can best be described as a woodwind instrument. In line with the tribal and cultural traditions that Saudi Arabia embraces strictly, drums stand well-thought-out as a significant part (Norton, 2012). Hence, it would be quite beneficial to both Saudi Arabia and Asia as a whole if Saudi’s students were allowed to take note of such activities in other Asian cultures.
Globalization
Globalization described as the exchange of lifestyles, economies and ideas worldwide has affected the Asian culture and society deeply. Globalization’s effects tend to be far more complex than the archetypical cases. Globalization could further be viewed as an interactive, multidirectional and complex process which divides and homogenizes simultaneously the cultural and social discourses. In line with Asia, this process leads to numerous changes in its literature including scenery of narratives (Tam, 2014). Globalization’s nation as demonstrated by a number researchers provides a perspective so interesting which encompasses the interactive and dialogic nature of the globalization effect. The current world tends to be characterized by a new imagination role in social life. For this new role to be grasped, there arises a need for certain ideas to be brought together as a constructed collective aspirations’ landscape. Such ideas include the images’ old ideas particularly the images produced mechanically, the imagined community idea, and the imaginary French idea (Maylor & Great Britain. 2007).
One can further view globalization as that comes out of modernity including its spread to the world’s other parts. Conversely it appears to be that which connects the world through the forgery of new imagination ways. On the other hand, it is these new imagination ways which give globalization the far reaching impacts of culture (Tam, 2014). Modernity in relation to globalization can be viewed as emerging social practices, where imagination, central to all agency forms tends to be per se a social fact. The world seems to be constructed in language and perceived in images. Just as in other continents English plays a major role across Asia when it comes to mediating the flow of imagination. One needs to note that the imperialism of linguistic becomes advanced by cultural activities such as the television, videos and film. Taking Hollywood for instance, American English seems to have become so influential across Asia including Saudi Arabia. Such influence cannot just be attributed to CNN’s popularity but also due to dominance of films from Hollywood. Just as America creates its cultural imaginary and making them a reality in the contemporary Asian Cinemas, so has Asia started doing the same (Maylor & Great Britain. 2007). Asia through countries such as India have their cultural imaginary shown out to the work. Bollywood films have started taking a share of the entertainment industry. Through Bollywood and other film producers within Asia, the Asian literature including its ways become known to the world. As such, when the entire Asian literature becomes incorporated in most part of the Saudi’s curriculum, it gives the students a better understanding of the different cultures within the continent. Thus, they can be in better way to tackle any questions from foreigners as regards the culture of any country within the Continent even if not in a perfect way (Tam, 2014).
When reality becomes reflected by images and language, the two also tend to possess the power of manipulating the description, thus the creation of reality. These, images and language also structure reality representation. Through this and as regards Asians all over the world, new realities including subjectivities become forged via the perception of Asian literature and on a larger scale English. Asian literature needs to be embraced in Saudi’s curriculum, to allow cross-cultural imagination among the Saudi students. This cross-cultural imagination needs to be in scope, local, as well as global and has to reflect th...