Open AccessSituated Globalization and Racism: An Analysis of Korean High School EFL Textbooks
Author(s) -
Incho Lee
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
language and literacy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1496-0974
DOI - 10.20360/g2f59n
Subject(s) - situated , globalization , privilege (computing) , sociology , power (physics) , pedagogy , english as a foreign language , literacy , gender studies , political science , law , physics , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , computer science
This study examines the content of South Korean high school English as a Foreign Language (EFL) textbooks to investigate the ways in which globalization is reflected in the textbooks. A content analysis reveals that the textbooks promote Westerners and their cultures in positive terms while non-Westerners and their cultures are consistently marginalized. The complex interpretations of the division of the West and non-West are suggested, particularly with respect to power, privilege, and unique manifestations of situated globalization in South Korea. The author calls for critical awareness to promote English as a tool for intercultural understandings.