Intercultural Contact Essay
The goal of this assignment is to encourage you to learn about a different culture. The experience should provide you with an opportunity to explore and discuss themes of this course. Depending on time, a 2 – 4-minute discussion of your paper is required. You may choose from the following:
- Attend an unfamiliar cultural event if possible (Make sure covid 19 protocol is observed). Drawing from theories, ideas, and concepts covered in our readings, write about your intercultural interaction. Discuss the experience. Was there a separation between the culture and aspects of your lived experience? How does the culture see itself in relation to other cultures? How are values enacted/reflected/communicated within the culture? How is this similar to or different from your own experiences? What are basic foundations of the culture? This assignment encourages you to learn about other individuals and groups. The easiest way to achieve that goal is to engage in social contact.
Ideas for activities include weddings, religious ceremonies, holiday celebrations, festivals, and sporting events. Also consider interviews, exchanging experiences over dinner, going through family photo albums, etc.
OR
Moreover, the intercultural contact may occur through thoughtful interaction with a text (e.g., any unread chapter from our textbooks, a novel, movie, poem, song, etc.). Identify the text, then apply the theory, terms, themes you have learned in class. Begin with a short (one paragraph) review of the text. Next, analyze cultural patterns and illustrate principles from the readings. Again, be sure to relate theory, terms, articles, and themes from class. This is not a literary analysis for a literature class. First, check with instructor for approval of the event or experience.
Product: Write a 6 – 8-page, double-spaced paper analyzing what you
learned from the encounter. Discuss communication, culture, and themes. It is
important to ground your observations in relevant readings. Cite all sources.
Rubric
Intercultural Contact EssayIntercultural Contact EssayCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroductionCreative title, includes a thesis statement that sets the tone and direction for the paper. Previews the main points.
Textual Analysis:
Identify the text, Begin with a short review of the text.20 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBodyDraws from 7-8 theories, ideas, and concepts covered in the readings to reflect on the experience or text. Was there a separation between the culture and aspects of your lived experience?
How does the culture see itself in relation to other cultures? How are values enacted/reflected/communicated within the culture? How is this similar to or different from your own experiences?
What are basic foundations of the culture?
For Textual Interaction:
Apply the theory, terms, themes you have learned in class. Analyze cultural patterns and illustrate principles from the readings.70 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks70 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusionTransition to the conclusion is indicated, thesis is restated10 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeEssay FormatTitle Page, Times New Roman font (no New Courier); 12point type size; 1.25inch margins. Double spaced; indented paragraph format (do not double space between paragraphs); Include page numbers and a reference page for written assignment. Page limit excluding reference page must be 5- 7 pages10 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeProofreadingclarity, syntax, spelling, punctuation, subject-verb agreement, pronoun/antecedent agreement, etc. No typing errors and Grammatical mistakes.10 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTheoretical ConceptsAppropriate use of diverse terms, concepts and terms. Definition, examples and comparison.30 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks30 pts
Total Points: 150
