Cultural Research Project
Objectives:
The Cultural Research Project is an opportunity for you to learn more about a historically and/or currently oppressed counter-culture, as well as meet the criteria for all 3 course learning outcomes. The foundation for your research should be specific to one counter-culture. Your chosen culture must be approved via email by November 1, 2022. This approval will allow you to continue with your research, and is also worth 5 points on your grade!
Co-Culture
Exists within the mainstream culture.
Not seen as separate from mainstream culture.
All co-cultures come together to create mainstream culture.
Counter-Culture
Exists outside of mainstream culture.
Perceived as separate from mainstream culture.
Many people within mainstream culture actively disenfranchise or oppress members of a counter-culture.
The research should explore elements of culture which can be contextualized through the 3 learning outcomes:
describe the historical and contemporary societal factors that shape the development of individual and group identity involving race, class, and/or gender;
analyze the role that complex networks of social structures and systems play in the creation and perpetuation of the dynamics of power, privilege, oppression, and opportunity; and
apply the principles of rights, access, equity, and autonomous participation to past, current, or future social justice action
It’s easiest to define the project by using the 3 outcomes to explain how you’ll use the project to demonstrate this learning:
Describe the historical and contemporary societal factors that shape the development of individual and group identity involving race, class, and/or gender
In the first section of your project, you will present research on one counter-culture that is currently oppressed and/or have historically been oppressed. This will involve being very clear in your definition of the culture, and finding research that substantiates the various societal influences on this oppression. Your culture should demonstrate a strong connection to at least one of these categories: race, class, and/or gender.
Analyze the role that complex networks of social structures and systems play in the creation and perpetuation of the dynamics of power, privilege, oppression, and opportunity
In the second section, you will analyze how the oppression of people who identify as being a part of this counter-culture is perpetuated by social systems of power and privilege. Which co-cultures are in a position of power and privilege, and how do they create systems of oppression? Give specific examples to help demonstrate this, such as media sources, politics, educational institutions, and more.
Apply the principles of rights, access, equity, and autonomous participation to past, current, or future social justice action
In the third section, you must explore how your chosen co-culture or sub-culture fought back against this oppression in the past and/or present, as well as what future social justice action might be undertaken. Give both historical and contemporary examples of advocacy, law, and social action that have helped to shape this social justice.
Format:
The project should be submitted in written form, with visual elements throughout. This may look like a paper, but could also be submitted as a PowerPoint, digital flipbook, or PDF portfolio. You will be graded on the writing, as well as your ability to integrate images, video content, web links, sound clips, and any other multimedia elements of your choosing.
Research:
The project should include both in-text citations and a works cited page, both in 9th ed MLA format. These sources should be cited in-text, as well as listed in a works cited page at the end. You are welcome to cite the textbook, but should also explore a variety of other credible sources such as videos/documentaries, interviews, books, articles, podcasts, and more. You may repeat sources throughout the project, but you should have at least 10 separate sources listed in your works cited page.
Grading:
See the grading rubric on the last page for specifics.
Objectives: ____/50
The culture was approved by the instructor by the due date: ___/5
Learning Outcome 1: The research explores one counter-culture through the lens of oppression ___/15
Learning Outcome 2: The research explores how the oppression is perpetuated by social systems of power and privilege: ___/15
Learning Outcome 3: The research explore social justice in both historical and contemporary contexts ___/15
Format: ____/25
Uploaded to Brightspace using readable platform (Word, PDF, or PowerPoint) or as an active hyperlink to an accessible platform (flipbook, Prezi, etc). Documents not visible without permissions or not uploaded properly will receive a zero in this category, even if well written and formatted correctly. MAKE SURE I CAN ACCESS YOUR PROJECT!
Writing is college level, with consideration given to spelling, grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and other stylistic choices: ___/10
Integrated images, video content, web links, sound clips, or any other elements appropriate to the context of the presentation. Note that this grade is not about quantity, but rather the quality of your choices: ___/10
Sections are distinct, with clear headings or titles to designate the 3 areas of research: ___/5
Research: ____/25
Includes 10 distinct sources, all credible and college-level (2.5 points each) ___/25
GRADE: _______ / 100