Purpose
The Lab Experience
is an independent study of a specific cultural group. It involves an
interview and an observation. After the field research is completed,
write a 1500-2000 words lab
report and submit on-line.
Study of your own
culture
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Describe your own culture through an analysis of a specific
tradition,
ritual,
rite, or a
pattern of behavior your family has.
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Consider celebrations, family reunions, going to movies on Christmas
day, shopping expeditions, yearly camping trips, hunting season openings,
etc. Consider topics like "Fighting in my family," or "Sibling rivalry
management,", or "Greetings and affection."
Culture lives not only in
celebrations, but also in patterns of work and leisure.
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Interview at least one family member about the topic you chose (a phone interview is
OK). Keep asking "why" questions, but do not always accept your subject's
explanations face value. This is your research and you should come up with
your own interesting explanations. Write down notes during or immediately
after the interview. I will not read or grade your notes, but they are very
helpful in writing the report. |
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Write
a report that includes an introduction, a
conclusion, and
three main parts:
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Description. Describe the cultural phenomenon in some detail, but make sure
you only mention things you will need later in the paper. Use the interview
data sparingly. |
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Analysis. Explain what
values,
norms, and beliefs determine the cultural phenomenon you described. |
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Introspection.
Using Hidalgo's paper, explain how this specific tradition and your culture in
general will affect your own teaching practices, what possible biases you may
have as a teacher. Remember, our weaknesses are extensions of our strengths.
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Below
are
short examples clarifying the report's components: |
| Description
(including interview data) |
Analysis |
Introspection |
| Packing for the yearly fishing
trip consists of running around, teasing each other, looking for things,
slamming car doors, and trying to keep the dog quiet. "It's aggravating, but
fun," according to my Mom. |
Our family values the
excitement of a moment, the spontaneity of human interaction, and likes to
humor its own disorganization. In general, we like to make fun of ourselves
and others; it helps us to break the routine, and to create special
memories. |
I tend to assume that teasing
and humoring other people is a sign of closeness. However, some of my
students may believe that teasing, especially from a teacher, carries a
message of disapproval or sarcasm. |
| We plan our reunions with
meticulousness boarding on paranoia. Aunt Clair has a database of all
addresses; she and my mother write detailed instructions on what to bring,
and what to prepare for each nuclear family within our clan. They send
detailed messages addressed to other adult women. |
Our extended family values
order and organization. The planning of the biannual reunions is meant to
demonstrate the younger generation what does it mean to be a good family,
and how to get things done in general. Attention to detail is interpreted as
a message of respect and care for the family. |
Because of my upbringing, I am
a control freak. I like to have things in order, planned in advance, and
clearly communicated. This may alienate some of my students, for whom there
is no connection between how neat their paper is and mow much respect they
want to show. Some kids think being sloppy is just another side of being
creative and free, or they simply see no relevance of organization.
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| The elders in my family always
play cards whenever there are more than three of them. The game is carried
over with certain rituals: there have to be Guinness on the table, and no
small children are allowed to attend. So, older kids have to entertain little cousins and siblings somewhere else. |
The card game is symbolic to
the age hierarchy in our family. The elder generation is using it to
maintain its separate, privileged status in the family. Being allowed at the
table is a rite of passage, an initiation into being an elder, so it is not
given to anyone easily. |
I believe in
unquestionable respect to those who are older. This may present a problem,
for in my students' families there maybe less correspondence between age and
status. Students, who are brought up in a more egalitarian culture, may seem
disrespectful to me, while they are just being friendly. |
The alternative option
| You can propose an alternative project focused on a
culture other than yours. If you would like to do that, you must first discuss
the topic and design with the instructor. The idea is the same: describe a
specific cultural group through its traditions, patterns, and rituals. |
Lab report evaluation criteria
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GRE
Writing X 2 (Click for
details) |
Description X 2 |
Analysis X
3 |
Introspection X 2 |
References
X 1 |
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6 |
Paper presents a cogent,
well-articulated analysis of the complexities of the issue and conveys
meaning skillfully |
Create an original, artful, detailed description of the
cultural phenomenon. The interview data is used effectively and creatively. |
Provide an in-depth original analysis of the
cultural group, while creatively and consistently using the concept of
culture. Correctly identify multiple specific cultural values, norms,
beliefs,
symbols, adaptations, or mechanisms of cultural change. Demonstrate deep understanding of
culture and cultural group. |
Provide an in-depth original analysis of yourself as a
cultural being while correctly and critically using Hidalgo’s notion of
introspection. Identify your own cultural and ethical assumptions and biases
in the context of the study of a cultural group.
Explain how your cultural assets, assumptions, experiences, and biases may
influence your teaching practices, and develop an original strategy to
increase your multicultural awareness and control your biases. |
At least 3 correct
references to Hidalgo are properly used in full compliance
with APA style |
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4 |
A 4 paper presents a
competent analysis of the issue and conveys meaning adequately
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Create an adequate description of tradition or ritual.
The interview data is used correctly. |
Provide an analysis of the cultural group,
while correctly applying the concept of culture. Identify
at least one specific cultural value, norm, belief, symbol, adaptation, or
mechanism of cultural change. Demonstrate some understanding of culture and cultural group. |
Describe yourself as a cultural being using Hidalgo’s
notion of introspection, OR Identify your own cultural and ethical
assumptions and biases, AND
Explain how your cultural assets, assumptions, experiences, and biases may
influence your teaching biases, OR Develop a strategy to increase your
multicultural awareness and control your biases. |
Not enough references, or
only superficial connections to
Hidalgo, or major errors in
APA style |
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2 |
A 2 paper demonstrates
serious weaknesses in analytical writing |
Create a less than coherent, unimaginative description
of tradition or ritual. The interview data is not used or used out of
context. |
Provide weak analysis of the cultural group, while
applying the concept of culture with major errors.
Identify no specific cultural values, norms, beliefs, symbols, adaptations,
or mechanisms of cultural change.
Demonstrate incorrect understanding of culture and cultural group. |
Attempt to describe yourself as a cultural being using
Hidalgo’s notion of introspection, OR attempt to identify your own cultural
and ethical assumptions and biases, OR
attempt to
explain how your cultural assets, assumptions, experiences, and biases may
influence your teaching biases, OR Attempt to develop a strategy to increase
your multicultural awareness and control your biases. |
Not enough references to
Hidalgo, and incorrect reference style |
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Pts |
Up to 12 |
Up to 12 |
Up to 18 |
Up to 12 |
Up to 6 |
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Total possible points 60 |
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