This activity illustrates how world views, history, and family structures not only influence cultural practices but also portray these practices as practical, rational, and/or "correct."
Using the internet or online library, identify three examples of common practices, beliefs, and/or values that are part of at least one culture other than your own that, to you, seem impractical, irrational, and/or incorrect. For example, as a non-Arab American women, I may feel that Arab women covering their hair, faces, and bodies seems impractical and limits their freedom.
For each of your examples, do some research and trace the roots of the practice/belief/value. Identify whether it is based on the culture's world view, religion, history, and/or family structure. The course textbook may function as a starting point for identifying examples, but you should research the cultural practice/belief/value beyond the book itself. Regarding the example above, Arab women dress in that fashion because it is the general consensus among Muslims based on the behavior expected by Islam in the teachings Qur'an.
Using the website FunnelBrain.com (link attached) create an online set of three flashcards that articulates your examples and research. For each flashcard, use the following guidelines:
Flashcard Side One: Example of the cultural practice/belief/value that you find impractical, irrational, and/or incorrect
Flashcard Side Two: Explanation of the roots/basis for the cultural practice/belief/value
Then, in a one page MS Word document (double-spaced), respond to the following questions:
Consider the characteristics of culture discussed in Chapter 2. How does this exercise solidify your understanding of those characteristics?
1. Consider how you felt about the cultural practices/beliefs/values you chose for this assignment. Reflect on the "deep structures" 2. of your own culture - how do they play a role in your feelings and perceptions?
3. How does this exercise help you understand the cultural norms and customs of cultures other than your own?