Week 3 1.22-1.25 Project #1 Due 1.31

Hi everyone.  I apologize for the online text problems.  I have sent an email trying to figure out what is going on.

This week we will continue to work on our Culture Notes

Activities this week:
1. Who is at My Table? - Project Based Learning #1 Due 1.30.19
2.  Turn in Song Analysis-Culture Activity with your group

1. Identify a popular song that represents culture.
2. Write down a line from your chosen song to analyze.
3. How does this song represent culture?  You must identify and describe the technology, symbols, language, values and norms present in the song. (20 points each)

3.  Let's gather some data from you on culture traits:  https://www.polleverywhere.com/my/polls

4.  Refresher on some key concepts regarding Ethnic Studies:

Culture is the system of shared beliefs; values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that the members of society embrace. Culture is transmitted from generation to generation through learning, a process known as enculturation. Our culture helps to shape and influence our perceptions and behaviors (Sue & Sue, 2003). 

Society has assigned many descriptors to assist us in defining our culture. Global, or worldwide descriptors, such as ethnicity, race, nationality, religion and socioeconomic class, or status are broad categories that are often used to help define who we are as cultural beings. Often these terms are used interchangeably, which can lead to confusion. The following will help to distinguish some difference and highlight the similarities in these common cultural descriptors. 

Ethnicity refers to a group of people within a larger society who have a common ancestry, memories of a shared historical past, and a cultural focus on one or more symbolic elements that help to define them as people. In other words, one’s ethnicity is their membership in a subgroup within an environment dominated by another culture i.e. Italian American, Jewish American, etc. These subgroups can be characterized by religion, language, customs, traditions, physical characteristics, and ancestral origin. 

Some key points about ethnicity: 

• Ethnicity involves claims of connection, common history of some kind, and that key symbols represent the core of the group’s identity like language 

• Some ethnic groups don’t have a shared culture, and many groups with a shared culture aren’t ethnic groups • Ethnic groups are subgroups in a larger society 

• Ethnic identities are boundaries between people Race is a group of people who are classified together on the bases of a common history, nationality, or geographical location. In other words race is an ethnic group that has assumed biological basis or physical attributes that are believed to be characteristic of that group i.e. hair type and color of the skin. Often times it is difficult to identify one’s racial background based on physical characteristics because many people have multiple racial and ethnic backgrounds.