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Dr. Brei

1st Paper

Assignment

We have been talking about human nature and how meaning is an essential element of that. For this assignment, I want you to think of an example of something meaningful that is particular to your culture. The example you pick could be an activity or an object or some other tradition. Then I want you to explain the importance your example holds for your culture, and the importance it holds for making you who you are. Other questions to address are: How might your example be viewed from “outside” your culture? How does your example make you who you are? What does your example show you about personal identity in general (not yours alone, just in general)?

Guidelines

I would like your paper to be between 4 and 6 pages. (So aim for 5 and see what happens.) Please type your paper along the following guidelines: 12-point font, Times New Roman, 1.5-spaced, 1-inch page margins. If you refer to other works (our textbook, other books, periodicals, websites, etc.) you must properly cite them. How you do that doesn’t concern me, as long as you clearly give credit where it’s due—and as long as I could easily track down your sources if I wanted to.

Due Dates

Yes, I meant to say ‘dates’. This assignment involves two due dates. The first is Tuesday, September 6th. That’s the date I want you to bring a draft of your paper to class with you. We will spend the class period looking over the papers in small groups. I will be available for individual consultation. Failure to bring a draft to class will result in a reduction of your grade by ½ of a letter grade. And please note: you’re still required to come to class even if you don’t have a draft.

The second due date is Thursday, September 8th. That’s the date your final draft is due. Please bring your paper to my office—517 Chaminade Tower—by noon that day. We will not meet in our classroom that day.

Additional Points

I don’t mind if you include pictures or links to video or sound recordings in your paper. In fact, I rather welcome it. But don’t suppose that these will take the burden of explanation off of you. In other words, use these as embellishments, not as explanations.