Eurocentrism Hayley Thompson
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EurocentrismHayley Thompson
Social Science is the FISH and
Eurocentrism is the WATER
What is Eurocentrism and where did it come from?
How is it discussed in theory? Why does Eurocentrism matter? How do we move forward?
An Explication of Eurocentrism
What is Eurocentrism?
“a tendency to interpret the world in terms of Anglo-American values and experiences” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2015).
Anglo-American refers to descendants and ideologies developed from the imperial control of the British Empire
Two Forms
Eurocentric Aesthetics
Eurocentric Ideology
Eurocentric, Afrocentric, Asiacentric
What is Eurocentrism?
“reflecting a tendency to interpret the world in terms of Anglo-American values and experiences” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2015).
Anglo-American refers to descendants and ideologies developed from the imperial control of the British Empire
Two Forms
Eurocentric Aesthetics
Eurocentric Ideology
A line of thinking that reinforces the elite, progressive, and noble achievements of the west while patronizing or even demonizing the Non-
West.
Where did it come from?
Historical Imperialism Light Skinned vs Dark
Skinned Slaves
Academic Developed by the west Ignored or not considered
until recently
discussed in theory?How is Eurocentrism
Grand Communication Theory Feminist Theory
Types of Theory
Communication theory is a grand theory that encompasses the methods and processes in which information is conveyed in order to describe all aspects of the phenomenon (Baran & Davis, 2014, pg. 5).
Developed in Western society and is inherently limited by a Eurocentric bias
Not equipped to discuss a global context
Communication Theory and Discourse
Criticisms of Communication
Bias toward American Academia
Limits new perspectives
Eurocentric Values Individualistic
emphasis Speaking over
listening Self-centered and
goal oriented
Western scholarship is viewed as UNIVERSAL
Why does that matter?
Middle Class White Women Critical Feminist perspective is concerned
with texts that reflect, support, or create sexist or patriarchal messages Doesn’t translate across cultures
Feminist Theory
UNIVERSALISM.How does that affect communication?
Social Comparative Theory Minority representations are biased toward
Eurocentrism Most don’t naturally look like that
Why does Eurocentrism Matter?
So successful, powerful, beautiful, amazing, in
charge, and EUROCENTRIC
Olivia Pope
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Skin Bleaching Plastic Surgery
Not parsimonious--- “values” can encompass a broad array of things
Need to develop a model and to explain Eurocentrism in media
All theories should be assessed for these values
How to move forward?
UNIVERSALISMMost importantly!
Not just internationally, but domestically for subcultures.
We can see the invisible
and feel the water
Eurocentrism
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