Contracted Project Options
Film Critic
We will collectively view selected scenes from several films that depict cultures in conflict or at least encountering one another. On your own, plan to watch one of these films in its entirety and attend to the concepts from our course that you note on the screen. Identify and describe these concepts and how the characters in the film cope with being misunderstood, or how they struggle with others from another cultural group. Write up your findings in a two or three page essay. Use a one-inch margin on all four sides of your paper and Times New Roman size 12-font only.
Where I’m From
Using the poem Where I’m From by George Ella Lyon as a model, write your own poem which tells others where you’re from and the beliefs, values, and views that make you who you are. Your poem should offer its readers a full picture of you, your unique culture and co-culture, and those institutions which are important to you. Consider facets of your being which have been shaped by culture. We will read Lyon’s poem and do an in-class exercise based on this later in the semester, but you need not wait until that point to take on this project. Your finished poem should be about four stanzas of four lines each.
Imagining Community
Online communication has taken hold of our imagination and the communities that develop on the web have had enormous impact on societies across the globe. Take on a careful reading of Benedict Anderson’s concept of nations as Imagined Communities and consider the Twitter and Facebook revolutions that have altered national progress from Tunisia to Iran. How do communities build online? How is this phenomenon translated into human actions in “real life”? Consider recent world events as you expand on your understanding of Anderson’s ideas and compare them to the rise of nationalism fomented by the printing press. Are we in the middle of a similar information revolution? Are new communities leading to new nations, as they did 500 years ago? Write up your impressions and responses to these prompts in a two to three-page essay. Use a one-inch margin on all four sides of your paper and Times New Roman size 12-font only.
Considering Context
In our course we will discuss the ways different cultures consider context when it comes to communicating with others. These are plain to see in interpersonal communication, but what about online environments? Consider Facebook and Second Life as online cultural groups. How would context apply to communication in these “cultural” groups? Which of the two would be a high-context culture? Or, could they both rely heavily on text to allow their users to make meaning? In a two or three-page essay, describe your thoughts on context and apply them to these online worlds. You may need to register for a Second Life account to fully understand the way members communicate there. I’m reasonably sure you already have a Facebook page. Use a one-inch margin on all four sides of your paper and Times New Roman size 12-font only.
Who Am I?
Consider your own culture, co-culture, and the values, beliefs, and world view you hold as you answer the question, “Who am I?” ten or twelve times. In this exploration of self, consider those cultural elements that make you who you are. Consider also the meaning of the statements you make. For example, if you answer, “I am a Mormon” to one of your prompts, go on to describe the impact of being a part of this sub-group within the larger North-American culture. You need not put yourself on the psychiatrist’s couch to tackle this project, but please take it seriously as you consider yourself. Use a one-inch margin on all four sides of your paper and Times New Roman size 12-font only.
Restaurant Review
On your own, at your own risk and expense, have dinner at an ethnic restaurant of a culture other than your own. (Choose the restaurant carefully. Try to find an Indian spot frequented by Indian people, etc. Taco Bell or Sbarro’s will not help you very much) While you are dining, consider the aspects of culture that are evident in the food, décor, or service, if it’s applicable. Is the food presented collectively or family-style? Is this usual? Consider the use of space in the restaurant. Not just between people, but also between tables of strangers. What commentary is made by this use of space? Attend to the use of time as you experience this new culture. Write up your experiences in a two or three-page essay. Use a one-inch margin on all four sides of your paper and Times New Roman size 12-font only.
Get it Rite!
On your own, at your own risk, attend a religious service of a faith different from your own beliefs. You may want to go with a friend to their church, synagogue, or mosque. Pay attention to the worldview described in the proceedings. Determine the groups’ beliefs about life and death, gender and social groups. You can draw these from the service, the hymnals or prayer books, or by interviewing a congregant or leader. Consider who attends the service as well; are there mostly old people, or young families with toddlers? Write up your experiences in a two or three-page essay. Use a one-inch margin on all four sides of your paper and Times New Roman size 12-font only.
Design your Own
This option allows you to create your own project relevant to the course content. You should consult your instructor to see if your ideas are sufficient to warrant credit prior to beginning your work. The experience and the deliverable are up to you.
