Definition of Culture & Baseline Cultural Essay
Let's define culture. What is culture? In your own words, describe this term. Share your response with a partner. In your notes/journal, brainstorm some cultural groups you belong to. What cultural groups (hegemonies) do you belong to? You will need this list a little later today. Brainstorming is the first step in the creative process. Brainstorm now!
Now, let's read. I'll ask you to respond to what you're reading throughout this course. What sticks out for you as important or interesting in this article? Take 2 minutes and respond (in writing) to the article.
Much of our class will use this technique to brainstorm ideas for stories, poems, plays, films, non-fiction and other writing projects. The fundamental idea of this course is to use our research and responses to a variety of topics to inspire our artistic impulses. Secondly, it is a course that urges the artist to depict him or herself in relation to or as the other. We will be examining power structures and hegemonic cultural groups in relation to each other, using this topic to reach a more universal and engaged POV about our own selves, our own cultures, and the world audience itself.
This course is a literature course, a course in ideas, as well as a practice from which to write and capture authentic voices.
You will be allowed in many cases to make your own path as you build a writing/project portfolio.
But first, let me introduce to you the field of cultural studies. Let's read and respond to the article: "The Cultural Debate in America".
Culture: What is it?
Culture Scientists and Anthropologists define culture as learned behavior acquired by individuals as members of a social group.
According to Edward Tyler in 1871: culture includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and other capabilities or habits acquired by a group.
Hegemony: an influential social group to which one owes allegiance. Often used to discuss how these groups use power or dominate other groups. We all belong to several hegemonic groups, depending on time, place, and situation. For example, you and your classmates belong to the social group: SOTA. "We are SOTA" as the slogan goes.
Regardless of culture, all cultures include:
Our first task is to begin our curricular map for this course. Take a few minutes to vote on what units you would like to focus on through this course. See the sheet and turn in your vote by the end of class.
Next, we're going to the lab to write a personal creative non-fiction essay on an aspect of you. Write an essay* about your experience within a specific hegemonic group or culture that you identify with. This can be an examination of your gender, your "race" or "class", your heritage, your identity or involvement in a sub-group, your religion, a family tradition, etc.
Consider how you identify yourself. What part of your personality/tradition/culture is unique to you. Focus on this idea in your creative essay. Remember:
V for Vendetta
V for Vendetta is an example of a dystopian novel. We're going to read a few of these this year, so let's learn a little bit about Utopias/Dystopias (from Shmoop)
As you read:
INQUIRY: How is V for Vendetta a dystopian novel? Who has the power in this fictional setting? What might have led the author Alan Moore to write this novel (hint: check the date and do some research!) How might his work appeal to a specific audience? If the reading/story is not appealing to you, what might he be missing or overlooked that might not appeal to you as a reader? How does the author create a unique "culture" in the novel? How does he use setting, character, plot to create a message? Consider why this graphic novel became published, filmed, and included in a senior creative writing course. Jot down your observations or questions about the text and save them for a discussion focusing on these ideas next class.
HOMEWORK: Work on completing your draft of the baseline essay (see above). Please bring your V for Vendetta books back with you next class. Aim to complete the graphic novel by the beginning of next week.
Now, let's read. I'll ask you to respond to what you're reading throughout this course. What sticks out for you as important or interesting in this article? Take 2 minutes and respond (in writing) to the article.
Much of our class will use this technique to brainstorm ideas for stories, poems, plays, films, non-fiction and other writing projects. The fundamental idea of this course is to use our research and responses to a variety of topics to inspire our artistic impulses. Secondly, it is a course that urges the artist to depict him or herself in relation to or as the other. We will be examining power structures and hegemonic cultural groups in relation to each other, using this topic to reach a more universal and engaged POV about our own selves, our own cultures, and the world audience itself.
This course is a literature course, a course in ideas, as well as a practice from which to write and capture authentic voices.
You will be allowed in many cases to make your own path as you build a writing/project portfolio.
But first, let me introduce to you the field of cultural studies. Let's read and respond to the article: "The Cultural Debate in America".
Culture: What is it?
Culture Scientists and Anthropologists define culture as learned behavior acquired by individuals as members of a social group.
According to Edward Tyler in 1871: culture includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and other capabilities or habits acquired by a group.
- Culture is a learned behavior.
- Culture is also used to refer to a highly cultivated person versed in art, philosophy, etc.
- Culture includes insignificant behavior such as behavior traits, etiquette, food habits, as well as refined arts of a society.
- Culture can also be considered as the sum total of human knowledge and acquired behavior of humankind.
- Habits or behavior is generally transmitted from members to the young or outsiders until the outsider is also an insider, part of the group.
Language is a system of verbal and nonverbal symbols used to communicate ideas. The study of these symbols is what is known as semiotics.Taboos: strict mores or behavior that is looked down upon in a culture (usually sexual)
Hegemony: an influential social group to which one owes allegiance. Often used to discuss how these groups use power or dominate other groups. We all belong to several hegemonic groups, depending on time, place, and situation. For example, you and your classmates belong to the social group: SOTA. "We are SOTA" as the slogan goes.
Regardless of culture, all cultures include:
- a primary means of subsistence
- a primary family
- a system of kinship
- a set of rules of social conduct
- religion (belief)
- material culture (tools, weapons, clothing)
- forms of art
Our first task is to begin our curricular map for this course. Take a few minutes to vote on what units you would like to focus on through this course. See the sheet and turn in your vote by the end of class.
Next, we're going to the lab to write a personal creative non-fiction essay on an aspect of you. Write an essay* about your experience within a specific hegemonic group or culture that you identify with. This can be an examination of your gender, your "race" or "class", your heritage, your identity or involvement in a sub-group, your religion, a family tradition, etc.
Consider how you identify yourself. What part of your personality/tradition/culture is unique to you. Focus on this idea in your creative essay. Remember:
- Non-fiction is creative--remember to use poetic/literary devices (imagery, metaphor, detail, tone, character, etc.)
- Non-fiction tells an interesting story--show us the scenes, paint them with imagery, remember to use your writing skills and make your audience appreciate your story.
- Non-fiction includes dialogue, description of setting, and can include teaching new ideas to your audience
- Non-fiction includes reflection of the subject matter
V for Vendetta
V for Vendetta is an example of a dystopian novel. We're going to read a few of these this year, so let's learn a little bit about Utopias/Dystopias (from Shmoop)
As you read:
INQUIRY: How is V for Vendetta a dystopian novel? Who has the power in this fictional setting? What might have led the author Alan Moore to write this novel (hint: check the date and do some research!) How might his work appeal to a specific audience? If the reading/story is not appealing to you, what might he be missing or overlooked that might not appeal to you as a reader? How does the author create a unique "culture" in the novel? How does he use setting, character, plot to create a message? Consider why this graphic novel became published, filmed, and included in a senior creative writing course. Jot down your observations or questions about the text and save them for a discussion focusing on these ideas next class.
HOMEWORK: Work on completing your draft of the baseline essay (see above). Please bring your V for Vendetta books back with you next class. Aim to complete the graphic novel by the beginning of next week.
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