Write a 3-4 page bibliographic research paper about an intercultural communication topic of intertest, citing your textbook and external sources
Topic: CULTURAL AND LEGAL DIFFERENCES IN ADVERTISING PRACTICES BETWEEN EUROPEAN AND U.S. NATIONS
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Cultural and Legal Differences in Advertising Practices between European and U.S. Nations
Introduction:
Advertising is a powerful tool used by businesses to promote their products and services to consumers. However, the effectiveness and appropriateness of advertising campaigns can vary across different cultures and legal frameworks. This paper aims to explore the cultural and legal differences in advertising practices between European and U.S. nations. By examining the existing literature and drawing upon the textbook Intercultural Communication: A Contextual Approach by James W. Neuliep, along with external sources, this paper will shed light on the challenges and considerations that advertisers must navigate to communicate effectively in cross-cultural contexts.
Cultural Differences in Advertising Practices:
Cultural differences play a significant role in shaping advertising practices. Every culture has its own set of values, beliefs, and norms, which influence how advertisements are perceived and interpreted. In his textbook, Neuliep states that “culture provides a framework that guides individuals’ perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors” (Neuliep, 2017, p. 29). This implies that advertisers must tailor their messages to align with the cultural values and preferences of their target audience.
For instance, European nations, such as Germany and France, tend to prioritize collective values and community-oriented messages in their advertisements. They emphasize social harmony, family values, and solidarity. In contrast, the United States, known for its individualistic culture, often focuses on personal achievements, independence, and self-expression in advertising campaigns. These cultural differences require advertisers to adapt their strategies to resonate with the values and aspirations of the target audience in each country.
Legal Differences in Advertising Practices:
Apart from cultural variations, legal frameworks also shape advertising practices in different nations. Laws and regulations regarding advertising content, claims, and ethical standards can vary significantly between European and U.S. countries. Understanding these legal differences is crucial for advertisers to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal consequences.
For example, the European Union (EU) has stringent regulations on comparative advertising, where advertisements that directly compare a company’s products or services to its competitors must be factual, accurate, and not misleading. In contrast, the U.S. has a more permissive approach to comparative advertising, allowing companies to engage in more aggressive and competitive messaging. Advertisers must be mindful of these legal variations to avoid potential legal disputes and damage to their brand reputation.
Case Study: Coca-Cola’s Advertising Campaigns:
To illustrate the impact of cultural and legal differences in advertising practices, let’s consider the case of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola is a global brand known for its iconic advertising campaigns. However, the company has had to adapt its strategies to local cultures and legal frameworks.
In its European campaigns, Coca-Cola has emphasized social cohesion, community, and togetherness. For example, their “Share a Coke” campaign in Europe featured personalized bottles with people’s names, encouraging consumers to share a Coke with friends and loved ones. This approach resonates with the collective values and social bonds prioritized in European cultures.
On the other hand, in the U.S., Coca-Cola has focused on individualism and personal experiences. Advertisements often portray individuals seeking moments of happiness and self-expression. For instance, their “Open Happiness” campaign in the U.S. highlighted the idea of personal choice and finding joy in everyday life.
Conclusion:
Advertising is a complex and dynamic field, greatly influenced by cultural and legal factors. Understanding the cultural values and legal frameworks in different nations is essential for advertisers to create effective and appropriate campaigns. By examining the cultural and legal differences in advertising practices between European and U.S. nations, this paper highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity, adaptation, and compliance when communicating across cultures. Advertisers must invest time and effort in conducting cross-cultural research, consulting legal experts, and partnering with local agencies to ensure their messages are received positively and resonate with the target audience in each country.
References:
Neuliep, J. W. (2017). Intercultural Communication: A Contextual Approach. Sage Publications.
