After you watch the video ”Wind, Grass, Song: The Voice of Our Grandmothers,”
you must thoughtfully answer the following question in your original post:
In the video, what do we learn about U.S. regional culture and history in the mid-West? In what ways are the voices of the women we hear from in this video included in (dominant) U.S. historical memory? In what ways have they been absent from or erased from historical memory? How can oral histories help us understand/relate to national history and improve our intercultural communication competence? Finally, compare and contrast the content of the clip to the textbook discussion of gender roles in the U.S. Cite the textbook.
Then you must thoughtfully answer one of the following questions in your original post:
(Please give the number to the question you are answering in the subject line of your post.)
1. Discuss the significance of family, religion, history, and race in your daily life. Give concrete examples with specific details about how the textbook concepts in chapters 3-5 and the “Talking About Race” reading apply to your family, religious, historical, racial, and cultural background. Cite the textbook and the Talking About Race reading.
- For example, what is your definition of family? What type of form does your family have? How has globalization affected your family? How does your family function? How does your family approach gender roles? Does your family value collectivism or individualism?
- Be sure to address the role of religion in U.S. culture, and, thus, in your daily life even if you do not adhere to a particular religion.
- Finally, consider how U.S. national history and the historical roots of racism influence your life.
2. Explain the phrase “a culture’s deep structure influences intercultural communication.” Another way of thinking about this question: What comprises a culture’s deep structure and how can this knowledge specifically help us with our intercultural communication competence? Use chapters 3-5 to give specific examples related to how knowledge regarding differences in a culture’s deep structure and perceptions could be practically applied to improve your communication with individuals from different national backgrounds, racial or ethnic backgrounds, or other co-cultures within the United States. Cite the textbook.
3. Speak with someone of a culture different from your own, asking questions about child-rearing practices in their family, culture, and religion. You might inquire about methods of discipline, toys, games, topics discussed at the dinner table, and such. During the discussion, share with them some “dos” and “don’ts” you were taught in your family. In your post, share some of the similarities and differences you encountered during your discussion. Cite the textbook.
4. Discuss how the deep structure of your culture influences gender roles, giving examples related to your family views and experiences, your religious beliefs (or absence thereof), and national history. Now compare these to one of the cultures different from yours that is discussed in the text. Cite the textbook. Provide a brief explanation of and link to an article that offers additional information about gender roles in your culture or the culture you compared with. (Alternately, you may choose to answer this same question but replace “gender roles” with “treatment of the elderly.”)
5. Answer several of the questions from the textbook re: the topics worldviews deal with as they relate to a worldview you subscribe to or are interested in learning more about. This could be a religious or spiritual tradition or the absence thereof, or some other belief system that taps into deep structure aspects of culture (an example from your textbook is differences in Western and Eastern views of the natural environment as something to control or something to be in harmony with). First, identify the worldview you are writing about and whether it is a worldview you follow or one you wanted to learn more about. The number of questions you choose to answer may vary depending on which questions most appeal to you and what you have to say about them.
- What is the purpose of life?
- Does law, chance, or “God” rule the world?
- What is the right way to live?
- What are the origins of the universe, and how did life begin?
- What happens when we die?
- What are the sources of knowledge?
- What is good and bad and right and wrong?
- What is human nature?
- Why do we exist just to die?
- How do we determine “truth”?
- What is our responsibility to other people?
A more detailed, specific discussion of a few of these questions using concrete details in your answers is preferred over a vague run through of the entire list. Cite the textbook. Provide a brief explanation of and link to an article that offers additional information about the worldview you chose to discuss.
6. What are some of the customs, rituals, and/or ceremonies associated with your national culture, religion, and/or racial and ethnic group(s)? What role do they play in your life? How do these customs and rituals reflect the deep structure of culture? Make sure to define ritual in your answer, cite the textbook, and include concrete details regarding use of symbols and norms of communication in the customs you describe. Also provide a brief explanation of and link to an article or video that offers additional information about the custom, rituals, and/or ceremonies you have elected to discuss. You can also upload images (from your own ceremonies or other similar ones) in your response.
You must thoughtfully respond at least twice to your classmates or to me. Your response posts must add to the discussion.
To achieve a superior grade for discussions, each of the following components must be satisfied:
The content of your original post must connect to unit theories and cite the textbook.
You must cite one additional source in addition to the textbook.
All posting and responding deadlines and minimum requirements must be met.
Please read the “grading rubric” so you know the specific criteria that will determine your grade.
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