Instructions: Select a culture and an artifact that represents the culture of your choice. Worth: 100 points
There are two parts to this assignment
Part I: Research Paper
Technical Requirements
3-5 pages in MLA format
Minimum of 5 sources
In-text citations required
Works Cited Page required
Choosing a culture
You can choose from the traditional interpretation of “culture” (Countries, ethnicities, religion, etc.) or from non-traditional or Co-cultures (formerly known as sub-cultures). An example of a traditional culture might be China, Italy, Mexico, etc.
Co-cultures include music, popular culture, traditions, holidays, food/drinks, fashion, dancing, etc. As long as you can articulate something as a culture, you can talk about it. An example of a Co-culture might be Star Wars, Hello Kitty, Starbucks, Disney, Hip Hop, etc.
Choosing an artifact
Your artifact can be an object, a holiday, dance, tradition, food, person, etc. All that matters is that the artifact that you choose is important to your culture in some way.
If I choose China as my culture, I can choose from many things as my artifact. In this example, I will choose Chopsticks.
The content of the paper
Part I: Culture: Here you introduce three interesting aspects of the culture. These must NOT be the artifact.
Let’s assume my culture is China. I can talk about ANY three interesting things about China that is not my artifact. (Notice that any of these three things could also function as an artifact, but I chose to include them as interesting aspects. It’s up to you!)
Great Wall
Chinese New Year
Chinese Zodiac
Part II: Artifact Here you introduce your artifact.
Introduce the artifact. What is it? Describe it.
Explain how the artifact is used/why it is important to the culture you have chosen.
Many artifacts are used by multiple cultures, however, your job is to explain how your artifact is important to the culture you have chosen.
Part III: Significance and Controversies This is an extremely important point. Do not confuse this with point two. Your job in this point is to explain why your audience should find value in learning about the culture and artifact you have chosen. There are two sub-points.
Significance to the audience: Why should we know/care about this topic? Do we come into contact with people from your culture? Is it popular? Do people use the artifact?
Example: Many people are familiar with chopsticks and even know how to use them. However, doing certain things with chopsticks can be considered offensive so I might demonstrate every day things that people who are unaware of this. If you are going to use an artifact of a culture, it would be important to know how to use it properly.
Controversy: Nothing is perfect. Identify problems with the culture/artifact. We live in a “melting pot” where people tend to lose their cultural traditions due to assimilation. Is there a controversy with people changing/updating traditions or disregarding them altogether? Does the culture have any controversy internationally, politically, socially, etc.? Is there disagreement about how to use a particular artifact? Are the artifacts dangerous in some way?
Example: Controversy with the culture of China: There are many. I could talk about the One Child Policy, Human Rights abuses, Outsourced jobs, Ethnic violence, sweatshop labor, etc.
Example: Controversy with chopsticks: Many are made of wood. Lots of trees every year are cut down to make more. Some chopsticks are made of metals which could deteriorate over time. They could be dangerous and used as a weapon, etc.
Criteria:
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePaper: MLA Format: Student follows all elements of MLA guidelines:
-Student follows all elements of MLA (header, one inch margins, double spacing, identifying information on first page, 12 point font)
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePaper: In-Text Citations All sources are properly cited in the paper (introduction of source as well as parenthetical citations):
– All sources are properly cited in the paper (introduction of source as well as parenthetical citations; student cites all sources from works cited page)
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePaper: Works Cited Page Student follows all instructions for MLA citations:
– Student meets all requirements of the Works Cited page: alphabetical order; hanging top line; articles in quotations; publications in italics; online sources include access date; publication date of sources are identified; student meets minimum source requirement; sources are credible)
Paper: Point 1 Culture (student clearly identifies the culture and three interesting aspects of the culture):
– Student clearly identifies the culture and three interesting aspects of the culture; does not have any writing errors, offers evidence to support information
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePaper: Point 2 Artifact (Student clearly identifies the artifact and explains how it is used and significant to the culture):
– Student clearly identifies the artifact and explains how it is used and how it is significant to the culture; excellent writing free from errors; uses evidence to support information
Paper Point 3: Significance and Controversies. Student clearly identifies the significance to the audience:
– Student clearly identifies the significance to the audience; no writing errors; uses evidence to support content
Paper Point 3 Significance and Controversies (Student clearly identifies controversies related to the culture and the artifact):
– Student clearly identifies controversies related to the culture and the artifact; free from writing errors; uses evidence to support content
