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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 7 page research paper that first of all discusses Martin Gannon's model for understanding cultural perspectives, which is predicated on specific metaphors. Gannon chooses these metaphors to explain a cultural mindset, that is, the most outstanding characteristics of a specific culture. For American society, the metaphor that Gannon uses is football. The writer then relates this metaphor to the USAA Insurance Company, arguing that it fits Gannon's metaphor perfectly. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Page Count:
7 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khusaa.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
culture that societys perspective may appear inexplicable. Social scientist Martin Gannon, in his 1994 text Understanding Global Cultures, presents a sort of social shorthand that boils down cultural perspectives into
metaphors. Gannon chooses these metaphors to explain a cultural mindset, that is, the most outstanding characteristics of a specific culture. For American society, the metaphor that Gannon uses is football.
In other words, Gannon sees the essence of the American character reflected in the sport of football. The following examination of Gannons premise takes each of his points of reference
connecting football to the American character and shows how his argument is demonstrated in a specific American business, the USAA Insurance Company. The first point basis for comparison between football
and the American national character that Gannon establishes concerns is entitled "individualism and competitive specialization." In this section of his argument, Gannon argues that, even though footballs rules and regulations
may change from one season to the next, the "basic values and ideals of the sport have changed very slowly through the years" (p. 305). Like the basic rules of
football, American values have developed slowly and few drastic changes in American ideals have occurred over the course of the past two centuries. "Equality of opportunity, independent, initiative and self-reliance
are some of the values" that remain basic American ideals, throughout our history and today (Gannon, 1994, p. 306). In addition to an emphasis on individualism, Americans value "specializing to
compete," which Gannon describes as an ideal that Americans have adhered to and practiced worldwide. USAA Insurance Company reflects Gannons football analogy in that the rise of this company
has been largely due to the leadership and insight of one man, Robert F. McDermott. Like a charismatic and insightful quarterback shepherding a team to the Super Bowl, McDermotts individualism
...