Introduction:
Our first paper consists of completing either: the Cultural Journey and Family Paper, or option two, the Families in Popular Culture Paper. PICK ONE!! PLEASE DO NOT DO BOTH:
The purpose of the Cultural Journey and Family Paper is to help you further explore your family roots and cultural identity within the context of the social history of marriage and family in the US. Culture is not just something that someone else has. All of us have a cultural, ethnic, and linguistic heritage that influences our current beliefs, values, and behaviors. To learn a little more about your own heritage, take this simple cultural journey.
The purpose of the Families in Popular Culture Paper is to apply and analyze sociological concepts of marriage and family to either a family-based TV series/show or a family-based movie.
The Cultural Journey Paper Option:
The cultural journey assignment will be 3-5 pages typed, separate from these instructions, double-spaced, and consistent with the paper guidelines found at the end of our syllabus. For each section, type the title for that section. Answer each question completely. You may have to ask your family members for help. If you have any follow up questions or need clarification from me please ask.
Origins:
- When you think about your roots, what country(ies), cultural groups, or regions/areas of the US do you and/or your family identify with?
- Have you heard any stories about how your family or your ancestors came to the United States? Briefly, what was the story? Where did your family begin in the United States (city, state, region)? Has your family moved from one part of the United States to another/others (i.e. from north to south)? What would you consider the culture of these region(s) to be or known for?
- Are there any foods that your or someone else prepares that are traditional for your country(ies) or US region of origin or cultural group? What are they?
- Are there any celebrations, ceremonies, rituals, or holidays that your family continues to celebrate that reflect your country(ies) of origin or cultural group? What are they?
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State and Market: using your notes and lectures as a guide, demonstrate how your family is impacted by the state (government and laws) and the market (economy and finances). How is this shown in the life experiences of your family?
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Theory: How can your family be understood using sociological theory (use your notes and lectures here)?
- Analyze your family using one classic sociological theory of marriage and family
- Analyze your family using one contemporary (modern) sociological theory of marriage and family
- Social History and Era: discuss which time period/era your family formed in/emerged in (colonial era and slavery, industrial, post-industrial) among those we’re studying this term. Demonstrate how aspects of this era/period discussed in our class are shown in your family’s experiences.
- Do you or anyone in your family speak a language other than English? If so what language?
- Can you think of one piece of advice that has been handed down through your family that reflects the values held by your ancestors? What is it?
BELIEFS, BIASES, AND BEHAVIORS:
- Have you heard anyone make a negative comment about people from your country(ies) or US region of origin or your cultural group? If so, what was it?
- As you were growing up, do you remember discovering that your family did anything differently from other families that you were exposed to because of your culture, religion, ethnicity, or geographic location? Name something that you remember that was different.
The Families in Popular Culture Option:
The Families and Popular Culture Paper will be 3-5 pages typed, separate from these instructions, double-spaced, and consistent with the paper guidelines found at the end of our syllabus. For each section, type the title for that section. Answer each question completely. If you have any follow up questions or need clarification from me please ask.
Plot: Briefly identify, describe and summarize the show/movie you’ve chosen for this paper, its plot (what the show/movie is about, its subject):
- Name/identify main characters and how they connect to the plot
- Identify at least one major theme emphasized throughout the show/movie.
- Using our notes/lecture as a reference, describe the family in the show/movie in biological, legal, and emotional terms.
State and Market: using your notes and lectures as a guide, demonstrate how the family in the show/movie is impacted by the state (government and laws) and the market (economy and finances). How is this shown in the life experiences of the main characters?
Theory: How can the show/movie be explained and analyzed by sociological theory (use your notes and lectures here)?
- Analyze/explain the show/movie using one classic sociological theory of marriage and family
- Analyze/explain the show/movie using one contemporary (modern) sociological theory of marriage and family
Social History and Era: discuss which time period/era the show/movie fits into based on the periods (colonial era and slavery, industrial, post-industrial) we’re studying this term. Demonstrate how aspects of this era/period discussed in our class are shown in the show/movie.
Social Class and Race: Using our notes and lecture/discussion of social class and race as a guide, indentify the social class or classes the family in the show is best described by, providing at least two examples. Demonstrate how the show/movie is an example of the maintenance and persistence of racial/ethnic categories as discussed in class.