SU+08+Culminating+Project

Culminating Project

=**Assignment # 4 Culminating Project**= In this assignment you will select one category of interest such as literature, government, fine arts, gender roles, or other topics we will explore in class. Choose two items, one from a city you studied in US 350 and one from a city in US 351 that exemplify your broad category. Learn about each item (read, research, think and take notes) within its cultural context. Then, tie these two items together by doing some cross cultural comparisons. Finally, you will discuss the implicit values and meanings of the objects as they relate to the specific cultures you studied, and by implication every culture. To help you think through your paper, use the following outline:

If your selection is a work of fine art, find an image. ** ·Introduce topic ·Justify selection (important, interesting) ·Develop thesis
 * INTRODUCTION**
 *  Get an overview from a Reference book to help with this section. Use class handouts or go to city bibliographies.

synthesize the work of experts to support your own ideas Describe the items in detail. ·Supply the historical context ·Determine how and why the items were used. ·Illustrate in what ways the items were valued by their cultures. ·Provide evidence that the items had meaning for their culture.
 * BACKGROUND**
 *  Check out some books. Use the library [|catalog] and OhioLINK **

//focus on the objects and the cultures that produced them// ·Identify the essential differences and similarities between the two items ·Explain how the historical context influenced the creation of the item ·Compare and contrast the values and meanings each culture ascribed to the item
 * DEMONSTRATE YOUR LEARNING**
 *  Reference books, books, and articles can help you locate the historical and cultural contexts of your items. **

//Analyze--draw relationships & connect to the broad category// ·Carefully consider the broader elements of your category of interest. Convince the reader that there are both unique and common elements in both cultures. ·Use specific examples that there are continuities in the values of the two cultures, and that the meanings of these values can change.
 * EXTEND YOUR THINKING –**

·Tie your analysis to your thesis. ·Use what you learned from the first part of the assignment, (supported by what you have written) to show what/how/why these values and meanings are important and/or enduring. ·How do they help us know and appreciate diverse societies, and ultimately, to better understand our own culture? See ”Make Decisions Based on Values” (page 2) for ideas.
 * DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS** – Construct a new Argument