Skip to 0 minutes and 9 seconds In this course we focus on a number of things, particularly products and products as they move across borders, and as they move from place to place. And when they move, they often draw on narratives of identity, place, and culture, which we analyse through a number of case studies and examples. There’s numerous examples of products that have been localised, and localisation can take place in different levels. So it can be something like languages. It can even be changing colours around marketing. It also can be larger, more systemic practises. Hollywood films, they may or may not be in a form of cultural imperialism. But I think most people would agree that they are a form of soft power.
Skip to 0 minutes and 52 seconds And soft power attempts to influence and make connections with people through things like films, music. Manga is another example of a form of soft power. I think hopefully anyone who is interested in how the narratives of products change and are received from place to place would be interested. This can include students, business people. I think people as well that are interested in concepts like soft power, commodification, narratives, authenticity, these kind of issues, would also be interested in the course.
Skip to 1 minute and 32 seconds Products are often sold with narratives attached to them. And these narratives can draw on a number of different factors. It may be ideas about authenticity. They may use certain languages, because they see language being sending certain signals of exclusivity or prestige. With increased commodification in the world, we can even see things like nations branding themselves. So this will be one topic that we look at in the course– the idea of nation branding. Sign up now for Intercultural Studies, The Branding of Culture.
