1. Do you consider music a "universal language"? Why or why not? (10 points)
Music, no matter how performed, accepted, or appreciated is what I would define as a global/international form of expression. Whether the music contains simple beats, sounds, instruments, or rhythmic dance and song, it exists everywhere. Some debate that the question lay in ones definition of the meaning of “universal.” Others center their debate on whether or not music is a “language.” Our text refers to music as a condition of cultural origin. This simply means “definitions of music are culturally determined.” (pg. 2) With that being said, one’s culture may differentiate from another’s as to what they accept as music. If we were to look at music from a linguistic perspective, questioning whether or not it was universal, that would be analogous. But do we have to understand the language in which it was performed to appreciate it? Look at opera! Regarding its dialect, and say maybe lack of interpretation by some, it expresses emotion that many endear, and transcends such barriers as language. I believe music situates itself as one of the most fundamental bridges between people and their emotions.

2. The book discusses ethnocentrism; why do you think people all over the world tend to shy away from things that are not part of their "normal" experience? In your opinion, what are the reasons for the ethnocentric phenomenon? (10 points)
Our book describes ethnocentrism as “the assumption that one’s own culture patterns and understandings are normative and that those that differ are strange, exotic, or abnormal.” (pg. 4) There are many, many examples of such differences in meanings that make life experience so unique for all the human groups around the world. The assumptions we make about others' experience can involve false negative judgments, reflected in the common definition of ethnocentrism. Assumptions can also reflect false positive attitudes about others' ways. The definition given above emphasizes that we make false assumptions based on our own limited experience. This is all we know... what we have already experienced is the basis for our "reality", what we expect. It is normal to assume it is the "natural" basis of reality... because our own ways work for us. Our perceptions of colors, our time frames, our values on industriousness, our social roles, our beliefs about Life and the Universe, and all our other ways help us organize life experience and provide important meanings and functions as we move through daily and life span activities. Therefore, our limited experiences we have already had are the basis for interpreting new experiences, in this case, others behavior. Since we have not experienced everything they have experienced, how can we not be ethnocentric?

3. Have you ever experienced something from another culture (music, art, literature, dance, religion, philosophy, etc.) that truly inspired you and made you want to learn more about that culture? Explain. (10 points)
I have attended a handful of concerts (both professional and amateur), visited many museums and history exhibits, and even attended a number of colloquiums one of which including Noam Chomsky, but no one event or experience compares evenly to each other. As far as being inspired, I find the music of Yanni very powerful and influential. I can feel a true lively emotion in his performances, as well as in his music. You can see it in his fans and the audiences at which he performs as well. Yanni may not parallel to Noam Chomsky, but music has a real and definitive way of drawing out feelings, sensitivities, and even beliefs.