Microcultures, Traditions, and Symbols Project
For the final project in intercultural communication, you will have the opportunity to explore an aspect of intercultural communication where your life intersects. Over the course of the class, you have assessed yourself, interviewed a friend, and explored microculture in a group setting. Now, you will select a microculture of which you are apart and identify with to complete your final assignment.
Part 1: Essay
You will write a 3-4 page essay identifying your own microculture within the United States. Provide some background and context grounding the culture in contrast to the dominant culture. Then, highlight some traditions and cultural practices that are central to most folks within the microculture. Finally, explore and symbols (religious, spiritual, geographic, artistic, etc.) that are significant and hold meaning to your microculture. When writing this essay please remember the classroom discussion, lectures, and videos we have watched over the course of the semester that may aid you.
Consider the following questions:
Microculture Questions
Traditions/Practices Questions
Symbols Question
· Define microculture in context.
· How would one define the microculture using the cultural taxonomies?
· What is the connection between the microculture and power.
· How are your evaluations of self, family, and life goals associated with your microculture.
When and why did the tradition start?
What problem was it intended to solve?
How did it change over time? (every tradition has changed over time)
Is the problem it was intended to solve still a problem?
What ideas are we using the tradition to honor, remember or pass on to future generations?
Can we carefully adjust this tradition to make it more effective to pass on those ideas?
Do we need to redefine this tradition given all we’ve learned since it started?
· What is the most important symbol within the culture?
· Is there any relation to hierarchy and social stratification related to symbol within the culture.
· How are symbols used as a reflection of culture?
· What is the symbolic role of communication within the culture?
Sources: Please use 4-5 sources including your text book to enhance and support the information provided within the essay.
Format: The essay should be written in APA format including a properly formatted cover and reference page.
Length: 3-4 pages of text in addition to a cover and reference page
Points Possible: 100 Points
Please refer to the attached presentation, which I have previously presented, as the basis for writing this essay.
