Intercultural Communications

For your final paper you will have an option of selecting ONE of the listed options. The choices are provided to allow you freedom in selecting the topic for your paper, as well as allow you to complete the project that is of the utmost interest and motivation to you. Please review the options carefully, and choose ONE to write.

Option 1: Cultural Values Paper

Select three (3) values from your culture (such as honesty, beauty, freedom, success, friendship, honor, humor, etc.) and discuss these with someone of a different culture. In your essay:

· Describe your culture and why each value you select is important.

· Describe the culture of the other person you interviewed.

. Ask this person how he/she defines each of the values, and why each is important.

· Compare and Contrast your cultural values with that of the other person

. Do they differ from the way you define the same values?

·

. If they differ from what you thought or from your value set, why do you think this is?

. What do you think about this?

(If you do not have someone from another culture, search the Internet or other reliable sources to find out about your chosen values in another culture and answer the same questions. If you take this route, be sure to completely reference your source material in APA format.)

· You should have an introductory paragraph, about a paragraph for each value and a conclusion paragraph summing up your thoughts.

· Prepare your paper in APA format (title page, 3 pages of text, reference page)

Option 2: My Cultural Identity

The purpose of this assignment is to give you the opportunity to research and analyze your cultural identity in terms of cultural patterns and communication style. Also, to give you the opportunity to analyze the major factors or forces (religion, history, ethnicity, race, class, gender, sexuality, region, nationality, generation, education, etc.) that shaped your cultural identity and communication style.

In your essay:

1. Cultural Identity

. Describe very briefly where do your ancestors come from and to what culture do they belong?

. Where were you born?

. Where did you grow up?

. Describe and explain, using examples, three (3) central beliefs or values that characterize your cultural identity.

· Factors That Shape Your Cultural Identity and Communications Style

· Analyze the three (3) major factors or forces that have shaped your Cultural Identity and Communication Style in terms of religion, history, ethnicity, race, class, gender, sexuality, region, nationality, generation, education, etc.

· References

· You must support the content of your paper with at least 2 (two) sources besides yourself (you might want to CONDUCT SOME INTERVIEWS with people that are familiar with your cultural background: parents, grandparents, etc; you can use also books, and journals). These sources must be properly cited in the paper and listed in the Reference Section at the end of the paper 

· Try to answer the questions thoroughly, creatively and in depth. You will need to do some research in the library and some interviews.

· Prepare your paper in APA format (title page, 3 pages of text, reference page)

Option 3: Cultural Adaptation in Movies

View one of the following movies. Discuss the cultural elements and issues that are present in the film.

In your essay:

· Give a brief summary of the film

· State three (3) cultural elements/issues expressed in the film (for example: race, gender, religion, class, etc.) that we have covered in the textbook.

· Discuss the each of the three (3) cultural elements/issues seen in the film

. Provide a complete analysis and critique of these elements

1. Explain any stereotypes found in the film

1. Explain any elements of prejudice found in the film

1. Explain the impact of the film in describing the cultural elements presented

. Provide examples from the film and your textbook to support your points

· Provide a concluding paragraph summing up your thoughts on the film and cultural issues/elements presented.

All papers must include references to the content of the class, using the vocabulary from the course. Full credit will not be given to those who do not connect the material to the film content. 

· Prepare your paper in APA format (title page, 3 pages of text, reference page)

· Click the Writing Help! tab for proper APA format 

Movie List

If you do not own one of these movies, consider Redbox, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or other video rental services.

· Patch Adams (Great for those in health related careers)

· Eat, Love, Pray

· The Help

· Hidden Figures

· Black Panther

· City of God

· Farewell, My Concubine

· The Mission

· Grand Torino

· Karate Kid 2

· Boys N da Hood

· Memoirs of a Geisha

· The Cove

· Avatar

· Lost in Translation

· Monster's Ball

· The Laramie Project

· The Crying Game

· Remember the Titans

· Slumdog Millionaire

· Crash

· My Big Fat Greek Wedding

· Kite Runner

· Blood Diamond

· Maria Full of Grace

· Empire of the Sun

· The Gods Must Be Crazy

· Hotel Rwanda

· Rabit Proof Fence

· Joy Luck Club

· The Killing Fields

· The Bird Cage

· The Witness

· Brokeback Mountain

· Last of the Mohicans