CR2: Culture Critical reflections are short papers where you will address the inquiry, evidence, method, theory, and analysis in the course readings.
They must demonstrate proficiency in your understanding of the key concepts assigned and how they intersect with your interests.
This CR requires that you demonstrate your sociological knowledge of culture and how cultural ways of knowing and processes of socialization are reflected in society. After completing the Culture Data workshop (see handout on Module 5) you will reflect on your experience and what you learned about a cultural group you are part of.
Here is what you will do:
1. Description: Describe the cultural group you chose to explore and explain why you choose this group. Details matter here.
2. Reflection: Read through your field notes and reflect on your experience, telling us what your “observations” have taught you (and can teach us!) about societal structures, norms, expectations, and agents of socialization of the subculture you have chosen to concentrate on.
In your reflection you should consider the following questions:
• What aspects of material culture did you notice in “the setting”? This can include physical surroundings, architecture, equipment, clothing, artwork, food, or other objects. Can you explain the meaning, function, or purpose of particular items of material culture?
• What did you notice about the language in the setting? Are there any particular words, terms, mottos, or sayings that are commonly used among members? What else did you notice about talk and interaction in the setting? Were there any signs or other written materials associated with the setting?
• What aspects of symbolic culture are part of this subculture? Describe values that members of the group uphold, listing at least three values that are key to the group’s culture. What are the group’s ideas, beliefs, or attitudes? Does the group have a mission?
• What kinds of social norms guide the behavior of individuals, and how are these norms relate to group values? What are the folkways of the group? How do these folkways shape what members do or say? What are some of the rules governing members? Why are they important?
• Are any rituals, celebrations, or observations, that are important to this group? What do these events teach us about subculture values?
• What did you observe in the setting that seemed especially familiar or unfamiliar to you? Was there anything that surprised you? What insights were you able to gain by suspending ethnocentrism and practicing cultural relativism?
• How do your subculture’s practices map against dominant cultural expectations?
