Assignment 2.1 – Symbols, Rituals, Heroes Writing Assignment
Write an essay that presents a discussion of one symbol, one ritual and one hero, of a culture different from your own that may have caused you confusion or to experience them in opposite ways of how the culture from which they arise intended. The paper should be sufficient in length to fully address the question(s) presented, double spaced, written at the college level, adhere to APA guidelines, and include a reference list. Any sources used must be cited properly using in-text citations and referenced at the end of the paper.

Looking at this chart culture is the sum of accepted practices that stems from shared symbols (words, pictures, behavior that carry group shared meaning), heroes (persons alive or dead, real or imaginary who possess characteristics that are highly praised and serves as a model of behavior), and rituals which are collective activities that are technically superfluous to reach desired ends but that, within a culture is considered socially essential.

Each of these – symbols, heroes, rituals – stem from a set of values instilled in each person within the culture that are broad tendencies to prefer one thing over another. Symbols are easily developed, and old symbols fade away.

Think about when you form a V with two fingers, this could be victory (as it would in the 1940s America), could mean peace (as it would in 1960s America), and could mean two more minutes as it does today. Symbols are porous. Symbols can also be contextual. Giving flowers in America can be sign of grieving or celebration. This is why symbols represent the outermost layer of a culture. When to talk or how to greet people can change from region to region. Talking in the men’s room in the south, unless at a sporting event, is not very common. Talking in the men’s room in the Midwest is most times a continuation of the conversation begun in the hall. Similarly talking with the cashier at a grocery store in the east, unless it is compliant, happens rarely, in the south the clerk will very easily ask you how to use something you have just purchased. What have been some of your experiences of greetings as a ritual as you have travelled outside of your place of birth?

Write an essay that presents a discussion of one symbol, one ritual and one hero, of a culture different from your own that may have caused you confusion or to experience them in opposite ways of how the culture from which they arise intended. In all you should present three different cultures, so that your presentation of the symbol rose from culture A, the ritual from culture B and the hero from culture C.

The essay should be no less than 750 words but no more than 2000 words

Assignment 2.2 – Values Writing Assignment
After reading “The structure of cultural identity in an ethnically diverse sample of emerging adults” (listed above), use the “Big Five” personality variations from p.39 of your text and the majority of the emerging adults presented in the reading assignement, to indicate which side of the scale they seem to fall, e.g., “openness to experience” or more closer to “rigidity.” For your selection provide an example from the article to support your conclusion. If you cannot decide explain why you find the information provided either inconclusive or indeterminate. The paper should be sufficient in length to fully address the question(s) presented, double spaced, written at the college level, adhere to APA guidelines, and include a reference list. Any sources used must be cited properly using in-text citations and referenced at the end of the paper