Cultural PowerPoint

DESCRIPTION OF INDIVIDUAL CULTURAL ASSIGNMENT

SPN 1120

Students will choose a topic that relates to Hispanic culture and will write a 2 - 3 page paper in English based on a cultural/socio-political theme that focuses on target culture in order to challenge personal assumptions. Each student may choose a topic or movie from this list or a different movie or topic that the student would prefer, with the approval of the professor. This needs to be something new to you. As part of the assignment a student must create a PowerPoint ( 4 – 6 slides) of the topic. Due date TBA in class– you may email it early.

Discussion topics:

Your writing assignment should integrate your reflections on the topics of your movie/topic into a comprehensive essay that reads coherently and smoothly. You need to email me a copy of your assignment which also includes PowerPoint slides

A bibliography is not required but a student needs to be ready to discuss their findings.

Students may choose other movies with the professor’s approval.

Here are some sample of topics to discuss:

El Norte (movie)

Immigration

Illegal immigration / Crossing the Border

Mexico

Mayan Indians / Guatemala

Family relations

Ethnic and political persecution

Evita (documentary)

Evita Duarte / Evita Perón

Argentina 1940’s

Argentinian politics and government

Political influence

Peronismo

Descamisados

Hispanics in the US

Race, ethnicity and social issues

“Melting pot”

US immigration laws

Social, political and economic impact

The Cuban Americans

Culture: Music, TV, sports, food, religion, traditions, memories of Cuba …

Castro: Political and social issues

Cultural Shock

Struggles in the US

Cubans in the US

Other Movies that might be of interest, available in CH 141 (lab) (Must research topics that would relate to Hispanic cultural/socio-political themes.

The Milagro Beanfield War (movie - Hispanics)

The Buena Vista Social Club (documentary - Cuba)

Libertad (movie - Cuba)

Bodas de Sangre (movie - Spain)

Don Quijote (movie) (2 versions – one 48 min. another 120 min.)

Pan’s Labyrinth (movie – Spain)

Yo Soy Boricua (movie – Puerto Rico)

Latin American Women Artists

In order to exceed the standard for this paper and PowerPoint the following criteria must be met:

· The paper must be neatly typed, double-spaced, 12 points regular font, one-inch margins, and 2 - 3 pages in length.

· It should be well organized, well written, easy to read and understand.

· Show strong evidence of reasoned reflection and depth.

· Provide excellent support for claims

· Very creative and original

· The above criteria also applies for the PowerPoint presentation

Grading Rubric: The following rubric will be used to evaluate your reflection paper.

Grading Rubric	Exceeds Standards 2 points	Meets Standards 1 point	Unsatisfactory 0 points	Score
1. Format	Paper is neatly typed, double-spaced, 12 point regular font, one-inch margins, and 1 - 2 pages in length.	Paper is neatly typed, double-spaced, 12 point regular font, one-inch margins and shorter than 1 page in length.	Formatting rules ignored, shorter than 1 page.
2. Organization	Well-organized, well written, easy to read and understand.	Well-organized but “flow” could be improved.	Organization lacking and arguments difficult or impossible to follow.
3. Reflection	Shows strong evidence of reasoned reflection and depth.	Shows evidence of reasoned reflection.	Lacks reflection and depth.
4. Arguments	Provides excellent support for claims.	Provides some support for claims, but not detailed.	Relies solely on opinions or inappropriate sources.
5. Creativity	Very creative and original.	Exhibited some originality and creativity.	Lacked creativity. Very ordinary and mundane.
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