Center Two—Ethnocentrisms and The Gods Must Be Crazy
Deeper Reading and Deeper Viewing
Directions: Read the Article on Blackboard entitled “The ‘Ethnocentric Me” Culture.”
Answer the following questions based on the article and your viewing of The Gods Must Be
Crazy. You may discuss with your partner or group, but the answers must be completed on
your own.
Words to define: Define these either in context or using a dictionary. The definition must fit
in the context of the sentence.
1. Ethnocentrism- The judging of another culture solely by the values and standards of
one’s own culture.
2. Prevalent- Widespread in a particular area at a particular time.
3. Peripheral- Relating to or of, a particular situation.
4. Imperialism- A policy of extending a country’s power and influence through
diplomacy or military force.
5. Primitive- Relating to, or preserving an early character in the concept of evolution.
6. Attribute- Regarding something as being caused by.
7. Virtue- Behavior showing high moral standards.
8. Vice- Immoral or wicked behavior
9. Dichotomy- A division or contrast between two things that are represented by being
opposed to one-another.
10. Inclusion- The action or state of including or being included within a group or
structure.
11. Ingrained- Firmly fixed or established; difficult to change.
12. Hinders- Create difficulties for something resulting in delay or obstruction.
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
1. What do people think when others around you are speaking a language that the
people do not understand?
2. What did William Sumner mean when he coined the term “ethnocentrism”?
3. What do ethnocentric individuals unconsciously believe?
4. What are events in history that ethnocentrism caused?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
5. What does the author mean when he says “We develop the exclusive dichotomy
“friend or foe,” “us and them,” “for us or again us. . . ”?
6. Why is ethnocentrism a bad thing for a politician to have?
7. Why does the author put “universal” in quotation marks in paragraph three?
WHAT DOES IT MATTER?
8. Give 3 examples of ethnocentrism as it is shown in The Gods must be Crazy.”
9. In the film, which society seems more civilized—Xi or the “civilized” people he
encounters? Explain your thoughts.
10. What does the film excerpt reveal about “civilization”? Explain.
11. What might the film’s title mean? Who are “the gods”? Why must they be “crazy”?
Explain fully and give support from the excerpt.
Center Two—Ethnocentrisms and The Gods Must Be Crazy
Deeper Reading and Deeper Viewing
12. As the article states, “Ethnocentrism occurs everywhere and every day at local
communities and at all organization and in politics.” Give an example of
ethnocentrism you have witnessed yourself (either something you did or believed
yourself or something you saw in others). Why is ethnocentrism something we
should be aware of? Explain fully.
Directions: Read the Article on Blackboard entitled “The ‘Ethnocentric Me” Culture.”
Answer the following questions based on the article and your viewing of The Gods Must Be
Crazy. You may discuss with your partner or group, but the answers must be completed on
your own.
Words to define: Define these either in context or using a dictionary. The definition must fit
in the context of the sentence.
1. Ethnocentrism
2. Prevalent
3. Peripheral
4. Imperialism
5. Primitive
6. Attribute
7. Virtue
8. Vice
9. Dichotomy
10. Inclusion
11. Ingrained
12. Hinders
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
1. What do people think when others around you are speaking a language that the
people do not understand?
2. What did William Sumner mean when he coined the term “ethnocentrism”?
3. What do ethnocentric individuals unconsciously believe?
4. What are events in history that ethnocentrism caused?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
5. What does the author mean when he says “We develop the exclusive dichotomy
“friend or foe,” “us and them,” “for us or again us. . . ”?
6. Why is ethnocentrism a bad thing for a politician to have?
7. Why does the author put “universal” in quotation marks in paragraph three?
WHAT DOES IT MATTER?
8. Give 3 examples of ethnocentrism as it is shown in The Gods must be Crazy.”
9. In the film, which society seems more civilized—Xi or the “civilized” people he
encounters? Explain your thoughts.
10. What does the film excerpt reveal about “civilization”? Explain.
11. What might the film’s title mean? Who are “the gods”? Why must they be “crazy”?
Explain fully and give support from the excerpt.
Center Two—Ethnocentrisms and The Gods Must Be Crazy
Deeper Reading and Deeper Viewing
12. As the article states, “Ethnocentrism occurs everywhere and every day at local
communities and at all organization and in politics.” Give an example of
ethnocentrism you have witnessed yourself (either something you did or believed
yourself or something you saw in others). Why is ethnocentrism something we
should be aware of? Explain fully.