Week 18: Middle Eastern Americans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 18: Middle Eastern Americans (Sec. 9 Final Exam)
Tue 5.25 from 9:45 – 11:00 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Week 17: Independents

 

Week 17: Independents (Sec. 7 Final Exam)
Wed 5.19 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Upcoming:

Week 18: Middle Eastern Americans (Sec. 9 Final Exam)
Tue 5.25 from 9:45 – 11:00 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Identity News 5.12

• GEN Z: Charges of cultural appropriation of SNL's "Gen Z Hospital" skit (Slate)
• QANON: How QAnon is breaking up families (Greenfield Recorder)
• LGBTQ AMERICANS: Former Bachelor star Colton Underwood says he came out as gay after being blackmailed (Buzzfeed)
• MILLENNIALS: Study claims Millennials commit less crime than previous generations (Furity)
• CALIFORNIANS: State AG creates Racial Justice Bureau to combat hate crimes (Los Angeles Times)
  

Week 16: Gen X

Week 16: Gen X
Mon 5.10/Wed 5.12
Class: Multimedia presentations
NEW RESEARCH PROJECT DUE DATE: SAT 5.15 (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

*Final regular class meeting of the semester

Final Exams:

Week 17: Independents (Sec. 7 Final Exam)
Wed 5.19 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Week 18: Middle Eastern Americans (Sec. 9 Final Exam)
Tue 5.25 from 9:45 – 11:00 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Week 15: Gen Z

Week 15: Gen Z
Mon 5.3/Wed 5.5*
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"How Generation Z Will Change the World According to
Experts" from Time

Upcoming:

Week 16: Gen X
 Mon 5.10/Wed 5.12
Class: Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PROJECT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

*Final regular class meeting of the semester

Final Exams:

Week 17: Independents (Sec. 7 Final Exam)
Wed 5.19 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Week 18: Middle Eastern Americans (Sec. 9 Final Exam)
Tue 5.25 from 9:45 – 11:00 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Identity News 4.28

• LGBTQ AMERICANS: Trans activists concerned by Caitlyn Jenner's run for California governor (KGO-TV)
• CALIFORNIANS: Unprecedented bust as pandemic doesn't produce baby boom many predicted (San Francisco Chronicle)
• ASIAN AMERICANS: Pride over two historic wins at this year's Oscars (NPR)
• EVANGELICALS: Evangelical pastors are pushing dangerous Covid-19 misinformation (CNN)
• NATIVE AMERICANS: Former Sen. Rick Santorum in a speech to young conservatives: "We birthed a nation from nothing" (NBC News)

 

Week 14: Immigrant Americans

Week 14: Immigrant Americans*
Mon 4.26/Wed 4.28
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"How it Feels to be a 'DREAMer'" from NPR; Lecture—"The Self-Reflection Essay and ePortfolio: A How-To"

*Have Research Project finished up to slide 6-8

Week 15: Gen Z
Mon 5.3/Wed 5.5*
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"How Generation Z Will Change the World According to
Experts" from Time  

Week 16: Gen X
Tue 5.10/Thu 5.12
Class: Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PROJECT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

*Final regular class meeting of the semester

Final Exams:

Week 17: Independents (Sec. 7 Final Exam)
Wed 5.19 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Week 18: Middle Eastern Americans (Sec. 9 Final Exam)
Tue 5.25 from 9:45 – 11:00 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.) 

Reflection 4: White Out—The Mainstreaming of White Suprememcy

Post-911, our country's national security apparatus has focused almost exclusively on foreign-based terror threats. However, in 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it had been "galvanized ... to expand its counterterrorism mission focus beyond terrorists operating aboard." The domestic threat most concerning to DHS is white supremacy—the belief that Caucasians are racially superior and, therefore, should dominate society. Buoyed by a perceived ally in the Oval Office, a loose configuration of, often violent, groups (including QAnon, Neo-Nazis, white nationalists, Incels, the KKK, MGTOWs, and others) have coalesced under the umbrella of the Alt-Right. From social media to college campuses to the military, these groups hope to inject their racist ideology into the American mainstream. While racism is deeply embedded in our nation's history, what can be done about this new wave of race-based hatred? How should an increasingly-diverse America combat the mainstreaming the rise of white supremacy?

Include at least two of the following in your discussion:

• "White Supremacists are Trying to Recruit American Teens Through Video Games" (Vox)
• "An Invasion of Propaganda: Experts Warn that White Supremacist Messages are Seeping into Mainstream" (USA Today)
• "How Daryl Davis Inspired More than 200 White Supremacists to Change. And How His New Platform Will Help Spark Meaningful Dialogue" (Forbes)
• "How to Combat White Supremacy Online" (MTV News)
• "White Women’s Role in White Supremacy, Explained" (Vox)
  
  
  

Required:

• MLA Style
• Approximately 300 words
• Works cited 

Due: Wed 4.28 (via Canvas)

Identity News 4.21

• BLACK AMERICANS: Cheers and relief as Officer Derek Chauvin is found guilty on three counts in the death of George Floyd (NPR)
• LGBTQ AMERICANS: Georgian lesbian churchgoer told to repent for her sexuality before other Christians can interact with her (Daily Mirror)
• ASIAN AMERICANS: Marvel Studios debuts teaser for its first Asian-centered superhero release (YouTube)
• EVANGELICALS: Study suggests Evangelical men are overly concerned with the size of their penises (PsyPost)
  
• GEN Z: Gen Z is group most likely to pay extra to avoid seeing ads (AdWeek)
  

Week 13: LGBTQ Americans

Week 13: LGBTQ Americans*
Mon 4.19/Wed 4.21
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"Gay Men Answer Sexuality Questions You're Afraid to Ask" from Buzzfeed
Due: REFLECTION 4

*Have Research Project finished up to slide 2-4

Week 14: Immigrant Americans*
Mon 4.26/Wed 4.28
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"How it Feels to be a 'DREAMer'" from NPR; Lecture—"The Self-Reflection Essay and ePortfolio: A How-To"

*Have Research Project finished up to slide 6-8

Week 15: Gen Z
Mon 5.3/Wed 5.5*
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"How Generation Z Will Change the World According to
Experts" from Time
Due: RESEARCH PROJECT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Week 16: Gen X
Tue 5.10/Thu 5.12
Class: Multimedia presentations
Due: EXPOSITORY

*Final regular class meeting of the semester

Final Exams:

Week 17: Independents (Sec. 7 Final Exam)
Wed 5.19 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Week 18: Middle Eastern Americans (Sec. 9 Final Exam)
Tue 5.25 from 9:45 – 11:00 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.) 

Identity News 4.13

• HATE GROUPS: Proud Boy involved in the Jan. 6th insurrection asks judge to stay out of jail because other rioters in jail keep getting attacked (Yahoo! News)
• ASIAN-AMERICANS: Survivors of hate attacks speak out (NBC News)
• LGBTQ AMERICANS: MLS investigates LA Galaxy player's use of Spanish gay slur (OutSports)
• MARIJUANA USERS: Senate Democrats push for national legalization of pot (Yahoo! News)
• WOMEN: More American women than men are getting the Covid-19 vaccine (PBS News Hour)

Week 12: Baby Boomers

Week 12: Baby Boomers
Mon 4.12/Wed 4.14
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"Watch—"Fast Facts About Baby Boomers" from History Channel
Due: CRITICAL ESSAY

Upcoming:

Week 13: LGBTQ Americans*
Mon 4.19/Wed 4.21
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"Gay Men Answer Sexuality Questions You're Afraid to Ask" from Buzzfeed
Due: REFLECTION 4

*Have Research Project finished up to slide 2-4

Week 14: Immigrant Americans*
Mon 4.26/Wed 4.28
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"How it Feels to be a 'DREAMer'" from NPR; Lecture—"The Self-Reflection Essay and ePortfolio: A How-To"

*Have Research Project finished up to slide 6-8

Week 15: Gen Z
Mon 5.3/Wed 5.5*
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"How Generation Z Will Change the World According to
Experts" from Time
Due: RESEARCH PROJECT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Week 16: Gen X
Tue 5.10/Thu 5.12
Class: Multimedia presentations
Due: EXPOSITORY

*Final regular class meeting of the semester

Final Exams:

Week 17: Independents (Sec. 7 Final Exam)
Wed 5.19 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Week 18: Middle Eastern Americans (Sec. 9 Final Exam)
Tue 5.25 from 9:45 – 11:00 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Critical Essay: Eat the Apple

In a critical essay, a writer analyzes, interprets, or evaluates a particular text. It is especially appropriate for in an analysis of a text’s structure—the framework that holds a story together.

It would not be inaccurate to describe the structure of Matt Young’s Eat the Apple as “unconventional.” The compelling narratives of Young’s military service in the Middle East are conveyed through a variety of literary techniques, including illustrations, differing POVS, letters, scripts, lists, mock interviews, and vignettes.

It is an unusual approach for the average memoir, but is it effective? How does the structure of Eat the Apple affect the reader’s understanding of Matt Young story? Is a reader’s understanding enhanced by it? Or can the structure get in the way?

Required:

• MLA Style, including works cited
• Approximately 750 words 

Due: Wed 4.14 (via Canvas)

Identity News 4.7

• ASIAN AMERICANS: Backlash over former Arkansas governor's racist tweet (USA Today) 
• LGBTQ AMERICANS: Arkansas GOP-controlled legislature bans medical treatment for trans teens (Reuters)
• EVANGELICALS: Evangelical hesitancy over Covid-19 vaccines run deep, could prolong pandemic (Yahoo! News)
• WOMEN: Utah to make men financially liable for half of women's pregnancy costs (BBC News)
  
• GEN X: A look back at some of Gen X's best films (YardBarker)

 

Week 11: Asian-Americans

Week 11: Asian-Americans
Mon 3.29/Wed 3.31
Read: Apple—"Self-Diagnosis: How Did That Happen?" – "Self-Diagnosis: Sick of Running"
Class: Library research session; Multimedia presentations; Watch—"Why is Violence Against Asian-Americans on the Rise?" from Al Jazeera

Upcoming:

Week 12: Southerners*
Mon 4.5/Wed 4.7
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"Etiquette Tips All Southerners Should Know" from Southern Living
Due: CRITICAL ESSAY

*Have Research Project finished up to slide 2

Week 13: Baby Boomers*
Mon 4.12/Wed 4.14
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"Watch—"Fast Facts About Baby Boomers" from History Channel
Due: REFLECTION 4

*Have Research Project finished up to slide 4

Week 14: LGBTQ Americans*
Mon 4.19/Wed 4.21
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"Gay Men Answer Sexuality Questions You're Afraid to Ask" from Buzzfeed
Due: REFLECTION 5

*Have Research Project finished up to slide 8

Week 15: Immigrant Americans*
Mon 4.26/Wed 4.28
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"How it Feels to be a 'DREAMer'" from NPR; Lecture—"The Self-Reflection Essay and ePortfolio: A How-To"

*Have Research Project finished up to slide 10-12

Week 16: Gen Z
Mon 5.3/Wed 5.5*
Class: Multimedia presentations; Watch—"How Generation Z Will Change the World According to
Experts" from Time
Due: RESEARCH PROJECT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

*Last regular class meeting of the semester

Final Exams:

Week 17: Independents (Sec. 7 Final Exam)
Wed 5.19 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)

Week 18: Gen X (Sec. 9 Final Exam)
Tue 5.25 from 9:45 – 11:00 a.m. (Details TBD)
Due: SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY AND ePORTFOLIO (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.) 

Week 10: Atheists

Week 10: Atheists
Mon 3.29/Wed 3.31
No class—Spring Break

Upcoming:

Week 11: Asian-Americans
Mon 3.29/Wed 3.31
Read: Apple—"Self-Diagnosis: How Did That Happen?" – "Self-Diagnosis: Sick of Running"
Class: Library research session; Multimedia presentations; Watch—"Why is violence against Asian-Americans on the rise?" from Al Jazeera
Due: REFLECTION 4

Research Project: Subcultures and Identity

sub·cul·ture n. 1. A cultural subgroup differentiated by status, ethnic background, residence, religion, or other factors that functionally unify the group and act collectively on each member.

For you research project, you will investigate a unique American subculture. This will be achieved, in part, through an interview with an active member of that subculture. In addition to accurately reporting on a group of people, a place, or an event from an insider’s perspective, you will explore the distinctive characteristics of those people.

Requirements:

• Be a minimum of 12 slides (plus works cited)
• Have cohesive design, including illustrations
• Contextualize your subculture’s history (and future) in America 
• Interweave your subject's experience into the larger cultural landscape
• Have clean spelling and grammar

Some possible subcultures to investigate:

• Arts: Performance artists, Poets, Singers, Actors, Techies, Hip hop dancing
• Motorcycle Enthusiasts: Bikers, Motocross
• Car Enthusiasts: Hot Rodders, Car Collectors
• Crafts: Quilting Bees, Scrapbooking, Glass Blowing
• Bicycle Enthusiasts: Cyclists, Fixed Gear/Fixies
• Body Art: Tattoo and piercing artists, Tattoo and piercing collectors
• Boarding: Skateboarders, Snowboarders, Surfers
• Collectors: Antiques, Sports Collectibles, Sneakers, Toys, Barbie, Disney
• Cultural: Chicanos
• Fandom: Anime, Star Trek, Horror, Zombie, Elvis, Star Wars, Cosplay, Furries
• Fantasy Enthusiasts: Renaissance fairs, RPGs
• Food: Foodies, Wine collectors, Beer crafters
• Gaming: Competitive gamers
• Gay Culture: Drag, Gaymers
• Gym Culture: Bodybuilders, Crossfit
• Hip-Hop Culture: Deejaying, Emceeing, Breakdancing
• Recreation: Coupon clubs, Bingo, Quidditch, Karaoke, Rodeo
• Lifestyles: Hippies, Hipsters, RVers
• Military: Veterans, Military Buffs; Civil War reenacters
• Music: Deadheads, Parrotheads, Juddalos, ARMY (BTS), Punk, Goth, Rockabilly, EDM
• Nature: Bird Watchers, Scouts, Star Gazers, Survivalists, Off-gridders, Naturists
• Paranormal: Ghost hunters, Ufologists, Bigfoot hunters
• Political: Trump supporters, Progressives, Environmentalists
• Sexuality: Incels, MGTOWs, Asexuals, Polyamorists
• Social Media: Influencers
• Spirituality: Mormonism, New Age, Jehovah's Witness, Wiccans
• Sports: Competitive cheer
• Sport Fanatics: Raiders Nations, Soccer supporters clubs
• Tech: Hackers, Coders, DIYers, Makers

Notes on making contact with an interviewee:

• To find a contact within your chosen subculture, search the Web for local associations, such as Eventbrite, Meetup or Facebook, related to your particular group. Most any group will have some type of association. Another route to take is asking family or friends for references. Depending on the group, a friend or relative might be the best way in. However you get in, remember to have accurate contact information for the person you will be dealing with.
• When trying to establish a contact within a group, do not assume you will get a timely response (especially during Covid-19). It is important to remember that a particular subgroup might be suspicious of strangers, so gentle persistence may be required. Have a backup plan in case your original choice falls through. Once you make contact, politely introduce yourself and explain what it is you are trying to do. If the person is unable (or unwilling) to assist you, ask if he or she knows of someone else who might assist you.
• Once you have established a friendly contact, work out a date for you to interview that person. 
• Before your interview, do your homework. Learn as much as you can about that group before you interview. Of course, always be respectful.
• After the assignment is over, a handwritten note of thanks for your main contacts (or, at minimum, an email) should be sent. 
• VERY IMPORTANT: 1. Though Covid-19 restrictions are loosening, it is critical you still maintain all safety precautions (masks, social distancing, etc.) when interacting with a group. Use your discretion, but please err on the side of caution. 2. You may NOT engage in any activities that are dangerous or illegal.
  

Schedule:
1. Week 12: Mon 4.5/Wed 4.7 - Have Research Project finished up to slide 2
2. Week 13: Baby Boomers: Mon 4.12/Wed 4.14 - Have Research Project finished up to slide 4
3. Week 14: Mon 4.19/Wed 4.21 - Have Research Project finished up to slide 8
4. Week 15: Mon 4.26/Wed 4.28 - Have Research Project finished up to slide 10-12
5. Week 16: Gen Z - Mon 5.3/*

NEW RESEARCH PROJECT DUE DATE: SAT 5.15 (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 6 P.M.)