A culture is the beliefs, values, customs, arts etc. of a particular society, group, place, or time. values are a person or group’s standards of behavior, a judgement of what is important in life. In A World of Ideas, you have been assigned to read the following essays: “The Personal and Collective Unconscious” pp. 186-199 and “Is The Middle Class Doomed?” pp. 247-261. These essays on culture discuss value, norms, expectations, and perceptions of the individual, family, group, race, or gender in society. In a Cause and Effect essay of full pages, discuss how an individual’s perception of their place in society is affected by cultural values, norms, roles, perceptions, and expectations. Remember to include quotes from all three assigned readings. For example, your individual is a Hispanic, female, middle class college student, “Who is she?” “What is expected of her?” “Where does she fit in society?” “How is she treated by a society affected by cultural values?” How do her cultural values affect her perceptions? Areas for consideration may include:
Gender role and expectations for the individual based on cultural values
Shared cultural values link an individual to a group
Benefits of understanding cultural values
Ethnic, economic, or gender oppression
Cultural values and how and why they may change over time
Cultural values and human rights
Race and cultural values
Economic situation and cultural values
Your essay must include the following elements:
Four full pages of text plus a Works Cited Page. Please see the sample Cause and Effect Essay the Week 5 Module for an overall picture of the appropriate essay structure.
An introduction paragraph containing at least ten sentences describing the person and where he or she fits into society in order to prepare your reader for your thesis statement.
A thesis statement indicating the essay’s topic, purpose, and structure. The thesis should be the last sentence of the introduction paragraph and be highlighted. Sample Thesis: A female Hispanic College student’s perception of herself is affected by her cultural values related to age, gender/sexuality, race, and economic situation.
Several body paragraphs of at least ten sentences each which provide details and examples (quotes) to support and prove the thesis about your person.
A concluding paragraph of at least ten sentences providing closure to your essay. A restatement of the main idea of the essay is often appropriate.
Quotes from two of the assigned readings from the Culture section of A World of Ideas
