Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to explore one cultural/identity group of choice which the student neither assumes membership in nor has much knowledge of or experiences with.
They will explore this dimension of difference in two ways: through a scholarly review of the literature related to that cultural group and/or social identity, and personal experience through an in-depth interview or field observation.
Paper (20% of final grade): The paper shall be a maximum of 10 pages (double-spaced) and include the following sections:
1. Introduction
2. Literature review
3. Summary of Interview / Field Observation
4. Critical Self-Reflection
5. References (8 scholarly references in APA style)
Appendices: Include interview transcript or field notes and analyses thereof.
Presentation (10% of final grade): You will develop a visual presentation (video, PowerPoint, or similar) that illustrates your research on the cultural group and your personal experience with the in-depth interview / field observation, and your critical self-reflection on your experience. The presentation must be 4-5 minutes and include the following:
• Title: including name, course, interview/observation, and dimension of different and cultural group
• Findings of your literature review.
• Findings and/or experience from the interview/field observation.
• Critical self-reflection.
• Reference slide
You presentation may be either recorded with voiceover (like the first presentation) or given in person.
Please consider using this slide template: SWK 328 Cultural Immersion Slide Template
Requirements:
For this assignment, you are required to explore a cultural group and/or social identity that is different from your own, and with which you do not have much knowledge of or experience with. You have two different options from which to do so:
Option 1 – In-depth Interview: The second option ask you to conduct an interview with and individual who identifies differently than you on one dimension of difference. Note, this individual does not need to represent a minority group or one that has experienced oppression. They do have to have membership in a cultural group or social identity group with which you do not identify and with which you have limited experience. It should be someone with whom you are comfortable having difficult conversations.
Here is a template interview protocol: Interview Protocol Template
Here is a guide to help you analyze your interview data: Applied Thematic Analysis Guide
Option 2 – Cultural Event Observation: The first option asks you to attend 1 campus activity or community event hosted by or focusing on an identity group with which you do not personally identify. A great diversity of identity groups is represented at SU and in Central New York. However, research suggests that college students tend to interact most with students with similar racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and gender identities and sexual orientations. You are asked to attend this events and act as an ethnographer, taking extensive field notes about your observations and reactions.
Here is a template for your field observation: Field Observation Template
Here is a guide to help you analyze your field notes: Applied Thematic Analysis Guide
Possible Sources for Events:
(Note: not all events will necessarily be applicable or appropriate, nor is this an exhaustive list. This lists and the events are not managed, monitored or approved by the instructor. These are constantly-changing calendars posted by other units at the University or community sources. Make sure to complete the instructor approval.)
SU Diversity and Inclusion Event Calendar: https://calendar.syracuse.edu/events/category/diversity-inclusion/
Office of Multicultural Affairs Calendars: https://experience.syracuse.edu/multicultural/calendar/
SU Student Organizations:
Cultural/International: https://syracuse.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations?categories=13469
Political/Advocacy: https://syracuse.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations?categories=13474
Religious: https://syracuse.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations?categories=13476
Disability Cultural Center: https://experience.syracuse.edu/dcc
Hendicks Chapel:
https://calendar.syracuse.edu/events/?view=upcoming&page=1&group=3427
https://chapel.syracuse.edu/spiritual-life/services/
https://chapel.syracuse.edu/spiritual-life/religious-groups/
Syracuse / Central New York Community Events:
https://www.localsyr.com/your-events/#/
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/calendar
https://syracusenewtimes.com/calendar/#!/
Submit Proposed Activity & Topic:
Please submit your proposed topic and option by
Monday, April 8 at 11:59pm.
https://forms.gle/xPh8RPk4x2co4wrW7
Due Dates:
Draft: Your working draft of your paper is due Wed 4/24. This working draft should include any and all progress you made, including an interview transcript or field observations, any analysis, and any outline and language you have drafted for your paper. Please submit these materials on Blackboard.
Presentation: Students will make brief presentations on their project in class on Wed 4/24 and Mon 4/29. On the proposal submission above, please indicate your preference. Please submit any presentation files (e.g., PowerPoint file, google slides link, etc.) on Blackboard.
Final draft: The final draft of the paper is due Mon 5/6 at 12pm. It should include the following:
Interview Transcript or Field Notes
Analysis of interview transcript or field notes
Paper
Presentation file (e.g., pptx or similar).
