Globalization

     Globalization, in a sense, is the process of the integration between beliefs, cultures, and ideals throughout the world by the means of global communication. Though the use of telephones and internet technology, those halfway across the globe don't feel very far away at all. Due to globalization, countries can use the process to trade and interact with far away empires that would have been impossible to contact before the technological breakthroughs in worldwide communication.
     Cultural imperialism is the theory that one culture can dominate and take over a culture of a smaller society. Professor Straubhaar used the example of Brazilian villagers watching the American soap-opera "Dallas". Through globalization, an American television show can be shown to people outside of our culture, and in turn their culture will become influenced by our's. This can be seen in America as well, with the growing popularity of Japanese mangas and animes outshining our own comic books and cartoons in certain respects.
     I have personally experienced a sense of globalization with the music I listen to. I personally do not listen to very much American music at all, and get most of my pleasure from the music of Europe. Without the means of globalization, there is basically no way that I would even know what European music sounds like, and vice-versa for them. It isn't quite cultural imperialism, but there is definitely a growing number of people who prefer European music to our own American musicians.