7400:446/546 Out of Class Assignments

Due Date	Assignment Name & Instructions
Feb 5	Individualism-Collectivism Assignment
15 pts.	Complete the Individualism-Collectivism scales that will be handed out in class. Compute your score. Also take the Independence-Interdependence Scale at http://www.shyness.com/qo2.html; print out your results. See instructions handed out in class, and write a 2-3 page reflection about your scores. Be sure to turn in the completed Individualism-Collectivism Scale and the results of the Independence-Interdependence Questionnaire with your paper.
Feb 21	The Cultural Nature of Parenting
15 pts.	Instructions: Interview a parent (preferably of an infant or young child). Ask the parent about his or her parenting goals—what kind of person does he or she want the child to grow up to be? Why? Then ask the parent his/her practices regarding things such as self-feeding (at what age should an infant/child begin to feed himself? Why?), discipline (who should be allowed to discipline your child? How? Under what circumstances?) and sleep (What are the family’s sleeping arrangements? If the child sleeps by himself, does he sleep in his own room? When did he/she begin to do that? How did the parents encourage this behavior?) Ask these questions as though you have absolutely no knowledge or beliefs about these behaviors yourself. Ask the parent to explain the reasons for his/her parenting practices, even if the parent (or even if you) believe that the answer is self-evident. Reflect on how parental beliefs about specific aspects of parenting relate to the parenting goals they described (it is not necessary to give a verbatim transcription of your entire conversation to do this). Important: do not evaluate the parents’ answers (assume he or she is a “good” parent—simply attempt to understand how they reflect the parent’s cultural values. (3 pages, typed, double spaced)
Mar 26	Cultural IQ
15 pts.	What does it mean to be “smart?” In the U.S., how do we typically encourage our kids to be “smart”? Why? Do an internet search or use the links on the course webpage variations in how cultural communities view “intelligence” and encourage such behavior. (Refer back to the bottom of p. 22 in your text for an example of an American Indian view of intelligence.) How are these ways of viewing intelligence related to what is necessary for survival (refer to the Whitings’ model)? Examine the typical American view of intelligence from the point of view of another cultural community. Would that community consider Americans to be intelligent? Would Americans consider the other culture community to be intelligent? Explain. (2-3 pages, typed, double spaced)
Apr 16	Video Assignment
15 pts.	View one of the following videos (can be picked up from your local video store or perhaps your local library): Crash, Bend it Like Beckham, Like Water for Chocolate, Whale Rider, The Human Stain, The Joy Luck Club, or The Wedding Banquet. Make note of the ways in which cultural beliefs impacted interpersonal relationships (pay particular attention to intergenerational conflicts). Reflect on the roles of the parents and children respectively. (2-3 pages, typed, double spaced)
May10	Multicultural Foods Assignment
15 pts.	Prepare a dish to bring to class (a sign-up sheet will be passed around in class). Write a 2 page paper about the dish. Use the internet to research the cultural origins of the dish (you might be surprised). Then write about the significance of the dish to you and/or your family (when do you serve the dish, is it comfort food or food that you serve to company…?).