CULTURE 4

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ATH 111 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric

Overview Anthropologists will often conduct research to objectively evaluate cultural practices. Cultural anthropology is the branch of anthropology that deals specifically with human culture. Studying cultural anthropology provides a great amount of insight into other cultures. It can also shed light on and create a deeper understanding and appreciation of one’s own culture. For example, is the culture that you are observing similar to your own culture? If so, you might not even recognize cultural nuances, because they seem “normal” to you. On the other hand, if you see behavior or hear language and slang that you do not recognize, it is likely because the culture differs from your own. In this course, you were introduced to cultural anthropology and the anthropological concepts that are used to study and understand people, their culture, and their behavior. In the final project film study, you will have the chance to become a cultural anthropologist. The film study is your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of what culture is, the role it plays in people’s lives, as well as how it influences behavior. In order to do so, you will need to recognize and describe the culture portrayed in the film and discuss cultural values and norms that you observe. You will use anthropological concepts to analyze and explain the behavior of characters, or conflict between the characters, in your chosen film. You will also compare the cultures represented in the film to your own culture. Select one film from the approved film list. You may select a different film with instructor approval. Select three of the following anthropological core concepts to discuss in your film study:

 Assimilation

 Cultural symbols/symbolism

 Enculturation

 Ethnocentrism

 Gender

 Globalization

 Kinship

 Marriage

 Modernization

 Political systems

 Power

 Religion/systems of belief

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 Rites of passage The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, and Five. The final product will be submitted in Module Seven. In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

 Articulate observations about the role of culture in human societies for how it influences the human condition

 Utilize basic anthropological concepts in explaining the beliefs, practices, and cultural norms of different cultures

 Apply basic practices of cultural anthropologists for interpreting interactions between individuals or groups

 Utilize the basic principles of cultural relativism when observing and interpreting other cultures and subcultures

Prompt For this film study, imagine that you are a cultural anthropologist. Instead of observing real people in the real world, you will observe the actions and cultural practices of the characters in a chosen film. As you watch the film, pay attention to the cultural values and norms that you observe. You will also choose three anthropological concepts and explore how each concept influences the behavior of the characters. Finally, you will reflect on how this exercise has led you to think more deeply about other cultures, as well as your own. Remember, as a cultural anthropologist, you are an objective observer. Therefore, it is important to use the basic principles of cultural relativism as you write about the cultures and subcultures that you observe in the film. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

I. Cultural Relativism: Throughout the course you have practiced using cultural relativism. In the entirety of your film study, you must do the following: A. Use respectful language throughout the film study when describing your observations of characters’ behaviors and their cultures. B. Avoid making judgments about the characters based on your own beliefs or cultural norms. C. Remain objective when comparing and contrasting cultures, and avoid saying that one culture is better than another.

II. Introduction: In this section of your film study, you will introduce the film and the three anthropological concepts that you selected.

A. Provide the title and a brief synopsis of the film that you chose to examine. B. Develop a clear thesis statement that identifies the three anthropological concepts that you chose to examine in the film.

III. Culture: In this section of your film study, you will address how culture is represented in the film.

A. Describe two cultures that are represented in the film. You may also concentrate on subcultures here.

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B. Identify the cultural norms and values that you observed for each of those two cultures, and provide examples from the film to support your identification.

C. Explain the similarities and differences that you observed between these cultures. D. Describe a scene in which a cultural difference exists between characters and explain how that cultural difference affected

their interaction.

IV. Anthropological Concepts: In this section of your film study, use the three anthropological concepts that you identified in your thesis statement to explain the behavior of the characters in three scenes of the film.

A. Briefly explain how each of the three anthropological concepts is relevant to film. B. Concept One: Explain the influence of your first anthropological concept on a character’s behavior in a specific scene. C. Concept Two: Explain the influence of your second anthropological concept on a character’s behavior in a specific scene. D. Concept Three: Explain the influence of your third anthropological concept on a character’s behavior in a specific scene.

V. Application: In this section of your film study, you will think more broadly about using methods of cultural anthropology to understand other cultures

and your own culture. A. Imagine that you are able to conduct an informal interview with one of the film’s characters, instead of simply observing them. Identify

interview questions that you would ask and explain how those questions would help you gain a better understanding of the character’s cultural practices.

B. Compare your own culture to a culture that is represented in the film. What similarities and differences do you see? C. After thinking about these cultural similarities and differences, reflect on how your own culture may have impacted your initial interpretation of

the behavior that you observed in the film.

VI. Conclusion: In this section of your film study, you will summarize your findings and explain what you took away for this project. A. Explain what this project taught you about the influence of culture on the overall human experience. In other words, how does culture shape

who we are? B. Explain what applying the three anthropological concepts to the film taught you about how beliefs, practices, and cultural norms shape one’s

behavior. C. Explain how this project will influence your interpretation of interactions in your own daily life.

Milestones Milestone One: Setting the Stage In Module Two, you will submit your choice of film and three concepts. While your choice of concepts can change, your film choice cannot change after submitting this assignment. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.

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Milestone Two: Cultural Norms and Values in Film In Module Four, you will submit a description of the cultures and subcultures present in your chosen film as well as identify some of the observed cultural norms that are unique to the cultures and subcultures in your film. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric. Milestone Three: Analyzing One Concept In Module Five, you will submit your analysis of one of the three concepts you plan to use to explain the behavior of a character in one of scenes of your film. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Three Rubric. Final Submission: Anthropological Film Study In Module Seven, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.

Deliverables Milestone Deliverable Module Due Grading

One Setting the Stage 2 Graded separately; Milestone One Rubric

Two Cultural Norms and Values in Film 4 Graded separately; Milestone Two Rubric

Three Analyzing One Concept 5 Graded separately; Milestone Three Rubric

Final Submission: Anthropological Film Study

7 Graded separately; Final Project Rubric

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Final Project Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Your film study should be 4 to 6 pages in length with 12-point Times New Roman font and one-inch margins. Follow the most current APA guidelines to cite your film, the MindEdge resource, and any additional resources. Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information, review these instructions.

Critical Elements Exemplary Proficient Needs Improvement Not Evident Value

Cultural Relativism: Respectful Language

Uses respectful language throughout the film study when describing observations of characters’ behavior and cultures (100%)

Uses respectful language when describing observations of characters’ behavior and cultures but with lapses in appropriate language use (55%)

Does not use respectful language when describing observations of characters’ behavior and cultures (0%)

7.08

Cultural Relativism: Avoid Making

Judgments

Avoids making judgments about the characters based on beliefs or cultural norms (100%)

Avoids making judgments about the characters based on beliefs or cultural norms but with lapses in objectivity (55%)

Makes judgments on the characters based on personal beliefs or cultural norms (0%)

7.08

Cultural Relativism: Remain Objective

Remains objective when comparing and contrasting cultures, and avoids saying that one culture is better than another (100%)

Remains objective when comparing and contrasting cultures, and avoids saying that one culture is better than another, but with lapses in appropriate language use (55%)

Does not remain objective when comparing and contrasting cultures, and declares that one culture is better than another (0%)

7.08

Introduction: Film Provides the title and a brief synopsis of the chosen film (100%)

Provides the title and a brief synopsis of the chosen film but response contains inaccuracies or the student rambles (55%)

Does not provide the title and a brief synopsis of the film (0%)

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Introduction: Thesis Statement

Develops a clear thesis statement that identifies the three anthropological concepts chosen to examine in the film (100%)

Develops a thesis statement that identifies the three anthropological concepts chosen to examine in the film but thesis statement is unclear or contains inaccuracies (55%)

Does not develop a thesis statement (0%)

5

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Culture: Cultures

Meets “Proficient” criteria and description provides exceptional insight into the cultures observed (100%)

Describes two cultures or subcultures that are represented in the film (85%)

Describes two cultures or subcultures that are represented in the film but description is cursory or contains inaccuracies (55%)

Does not describe two cultures or subcultures that are represented in the film (0%)

5.31

Culture: Cultural Norms and Values

Meets “Proficient” criteria and the examples provided demonstrate perceptive insight into the cultural norms present in a society (100%)

Identifies the cultural norms and values observed for the two cultures, providing examples from the film (85%)

Identifies the cultural norms and values observed for the two cultures or subcultures, providing examples from the film, but response contains inaccuracies (55%)

Does not identify the cultural norms and values observed in the film (0%)

5.31

Culture: Similarities and Differences

Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation is exceptionally comprehensive and insightful (100%)

Explains the similarities and differences observed between the two cultures (85%)

Explains the similarities and differences observed between the two cultures but explanation is cursory or contains inaccuracies (55%)

Does not explain the similarities and differences observed between the two cultures (0%)

5.31

Culture: Cultural Difference

Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates a sophisticated awareness of the impact of cultural differences on interactions between individuals (100%)

Describes a scene in which a cultural difference exists between characters, explaining how that cultural difference affected the characters’ interaction (85%)

Describes a scene in which a cultural difference exists between characters, explaining how that cultural difference affected the characters’ interaction, but explanation is cursory or illogical (55%)

Does not identify a scene in which a cultural difference exists between characters (0%)

4.25

Anthropological Concepts: Three Anthropological

Concepts

Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates a sophisticated awareness of why each concept is appropriate to apply to the film (100%)

Briefly explains how the three anthropological concepts are relevant to film (85%)

Briefly explains how the three anthropological concepts are relevant to film but explanation is illogical or contains inaccuracies (55%)

Does not explain how the three anthropological concepts are relevant to film (0%)

4.25

Anthropological Concepts: Concept

One

Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation makes cogent connections between the concept and the behavior observed (100%)

Explains the influence of the first anthropological concept on a character’s behavior in a specific scene (85%)

Explains the influence of the first anthropological concept on a character’s behavior in a specific scene but explanation is cursory or illogical or contains inaccuracies (55%)

Does not explain the influence of the first anthropological concept on a character’s behavior in a specific scene (0%)

4.25

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Anthropological Concepts: Concept

Two

Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation makes cogent connections between the concept and the behavior observed (100%)

Explains the influence of the second anthropological concept on a character’s behavior in a specific scene (85%)

Explains the influence of the second anthropological concept on a character’s behavior in a specific scene but explanation is cursory or illogical or contains inaccuracies (55%)

Does not explain the influence of the second anthropological concept on a character’s behavior in a specific scene (0%)

4.25

Anthropological Concepts: Concept

Three

Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation makes cogent connections between the concept and the behavior observed (100%)

Explains the influence of the third anthropological concept on a character’s behavior in a specific scene (85%)

Explains the influence of the third anthropological concept on a character’s behavior in a specific scene but explanation is cursory or illogical or contains inaccuracies (55%)

Does not explain the influence of the third anthropological concept on a character’s behavior in a specific scene (0%)

4.25

Application: Interview Questions

Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates a sophisticated awareness of the benefits of the interview method in cultural anthropology (100%)

Identifies interview questions to ask a character, explaining how these questions would lead to a better understanding of the character’s cultural practices (85%)

Identifies interview questions to ask a character but does not explain how these questions would lead to a better understanding of the character’s cultural practices, or explanation is cursory or illogical (55%)

Does not identify interview questions to ask a character (0%)

4.25

Application: Own Culture

Meets “Proficient” criteria and comparison is exceptionally comprehensive and insightful (100%)

Compares own culture to a culture that is represented in the film (85%)

Compares own culture to a culture that is represented in the film but comparison is cursory or contains inaccuracies (55%)

Does not compare own culture to a culture that is represented in the film (0%)

4.25

Application: Initial Interpretation

Meets “Proficient” criteria and reflection reveals thoughtful recognition of one’s own cultural bias (100%)

Reflects on how own culture may have impacted initial interpretation of the behavior observed in the film (85%)

Reflects on how own culture may have impacted initial interpretation of the behavior observed in the film but reflection is cursory (55%)

Does not reflect on how own culture may have impacted initial interpretation of the behavior observed in the film (0%)

4.25

Conclusion: Influence of Culture

Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the far-reaching impacts of culture (100%)

Explains what this project taught about the influence of culture on the overall human experience (85%)

Explains what this project taught about the influence of culture on the overall human experience but explanation is cursory or illogical or contains inaccuracies (55%)

Does not explain what this project taught about the influence of culture on the overall human experience (0%)

5.31

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Conclusion: Beliefs, Practices, Cultural

Norms

Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the relationship between beliefs, practices, cultural norms, and behavior (100%)

Explains what applying the three anthropological concepts to the film taught about how beliefs, practices, and cultural norms shape behavior (85%)

Explains what applying the three anthropological concepts to the film taught about how beliefs, practices, and cultural norms shape behavior but explanation is cursory or illogical (55%)

Does not explain what applying the three anthropological concepts to the film taught about how beliefs, practices, and cultural norms shape behavior (0%)

4.25

Conclusion: Daily Interactions

Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates unique insight into the real- world applications of cultural anthropology (100%)

Explains how this project will influence the student’s interpretation of interactions in daily life (85%)

Explains how this project will influence the student’s interpretation of interactions in daily life but explanation is cursory or illogical (55%)

Does not explain how this project will influence the student’s interpretation of interactions in daily life (0%)

4.25

Articulation of Response

Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to- read format (100%)

Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization (85%)

Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas (55%)

Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas (0%)

5.02

Total 100%