SPAN 101
Objective:
Within heterogeneous societies, some diverse groups end up being under-represented and thus marginalized. Therefore, the objective of this paper is:
1.- to demonstrate knowledge of a diverse, underrepresented group in a
heterogeneous Spanish-speaking country.
2.- explore the cultural aspects of the group that you choose;
3.- research and discuss its cultural contributions, experiences, values, histories and
power struggles as a diverse group.
Assignment:
This is an academic research paper that is a minimum of three-pages on a diverse, underrepresented group of people in a Spanish-speaking country. This paper will be written in English. Please write on one side of the paper.
General Guidance:
First, select a Spanish-speaking country that you would like to research. This can include Spanish-speaking populations in the United States. Then, research an underrepresented group in that country that has distinct cultural aspects that make them diverse, and result in experiences of marginalization. A group of people can be under-represented due to a variety of factors such as their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, disability, language, or class. Some examples of such groups are:
The Quechua people in Peru
The Jews in Argentina
Women in Mexico
Basque speakers in Spain
The Mapuches in Chile
The Japanese in Argentina
Women in El Salvador
The Jews in Chile
Irish in Chile
The Germans in Chile
Afro-Costa Ricans population
Afro-Honduran population
Next, write an academic research paper describing the experiences of this diverse group living in a plural society. You should focus on the values and traditions of the group you have selected with a particular emphasis on any one of the following:
Political system
Government
Technological achievements
Philosophy
Religion
Language (if this group is a language minority in the country you have chosen)
Literature
Other cultural contributions
In your paper, as you discuss the experiences of your group, be sure also to discuss what it means to be diverse in relation to power, privilege and inequality in a society in which one is a member of an underrepresented group.
Describe a Spanish-speaking country that is linguistically diverse (more than one language is spoken in the country), religiously diverse (more than one religion is practiced in the country), or ethnically diverse and explore the benefits and problems for one of the underrepresented groups living in that plural society;
Explore gender roles in a specific Spanish-speaking country and examine issues related to power and opportunity for women;
Investigate the experiences of Spanish-speaking immigrants in the United States, or of another group of immigrants in a Spanish-speaking country.
Should be organized, with a logical sequence of ideas, well-structured paragraphs, varied sentence structure and appropriate level of language, a variety of vocabulary appropriate to the subject, and flawless grammar and spelling.
Should communicate ideas clearly and concisely with cultural sensitivity and provide thorough and relevant supporting evidence. Cultural sensitivity means being aware that cultural differences and similarities exist and have an effect on values, learning and behavior.
Should demonstrate a thoughtful description of an issue related to a category of diversity (such as gender, language, race, class, etc.).
Should contain one inserted object, image, or graph, for example. The inserted object should be relevant to the content of the essay and should be placed thoughtfully within the essay.
