Part I: "Field Research"
You are to select and visit a novel or a "new" culture in which you will be a "minority." Culture in this assignment refers to the domestic cultures we are studying in this course (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity/nationality; sexual orientation; social class; religion/spirituality; age/age cohorts (generations); and differential physical abilities). Plan to spend a minimum of two hours in this cultural setting. You may plan to go and just observe. If appropriate, you might consider volunteering or providing a service while you are there.
Be sure to select a cultural setting where (1) you will be safe, (2) your presence will not offend others or be construed as illegal, e.g., trespassing, and (3) if it is a private facility, you formally get permission to be in that location before observing and/or participating in activities. If you are uncertain about going alone, you might consider visiting that culture with a member of our class or someone else you know who is a member of that cultural group (cf. a "social informant"). Settings for this assignment might include churches or other religious places, concerts, social clubs or events, bars, student organization meetings, homeless shelters or soup kitchens, senior citizen or retirement homes, a different country, etc. (You may use cultures that you have visited within the past three months.)
Part II: Written Requirements
Write a one-to-two page reaction paper based upon your experience in this "culture other than your own." Do not exceed two pages. Be sure to identify your relevant cultural identity to this assignment and why the culture you selected is not your own. Include the date, time of day, and how much time you spent in this culture. Other topics to address:
(a) How, if at all, were the "communication" and enactment of relationships different from what you are accustomed?
(b) Were you "invisible" or "hyper-visible?" If yes, explain.
(c) What was it like to be a "minority" person in this culture? How were you treated? Did you feel comfortable, uncomfortable, safe, threatened, defensive, etc.?
(d) How, if at all, does this experience relate to the course film, "A Tale of O," experientially being "the Other," and any other course discussions and readings?
(e) What, if anything, did you learn about this culture, yourself, and your ability to communicate and adapt to "a culture other than your own?"