Humans have different beliefs, social practices, norms and values.  The course outline describes 15 chapters where these cultural characteristics are explained in detail. The purpose of this paper is to give the students opportunities to explore their culture based on the cultural characteristics mentioned in the textbook and to teach me about their culture.

Choose any ten chapters and compare (similarities and or differences) your culture with the cultural characteristics mentioned in the textbook. You may choose to write about more than one characteristic per chapter.  All cultural characteristics found in the textbook must be highlighted by quotation and by page number.

This paper must have an introduction, the ten chapters on separate pages and a conclusion all clearly outlined. The final paper submitted should therefore have at least 12 pages but can be as many pages as you wish. Write a clear, coherent, well-organized and well-informed essay that gives me a sense of focus that is creative.  Students should make creative connections between cultural characteristics mentioned in the textbook and their own cultural creations.

This paper must be typed, double space, font 12 times New Roman. It is due as soon as possible and at the latest two weeks before the final exam. Late papers will not be graded. I will assist you with the paper throughout the course, therefore, you are advised to submit drafts for approval.  I will read, correct and approve all submitted drafts.

This paper is 20% of the final grade.

Scoring guide for the paper (rubric)

1. INTRODUCTION. Short biography and purpose of the paper. 2%
2. TEN CHAPTERS. Identify cultural characteristics by page # and quotation, relating similarities and differences. 16%
3. Explain what the main idea and examples mean in relation to the entire essay and the discoveries you made. What did you learn from doing the paper. 2%

For the above three areas of the scoring guide the following are expectations of the final paper.

1. ORGANIZATION: Contains clear thesis/topic/sense of purpose where the main point is made clear
2. STYLE: Maintain point of view. Proofread (Grammar, wordiness, spelling, punctuation, fragments). Use appropriate sentence structure. Use appropriate terminology (vocabulary). Identifies, explain, or define terms, words and ideas
3. Contains accurate and appropriate content. Use examples, details to support main idea. Make it clear that you have read and thought about the readings.