Major Concepts/Content:  SY05/06 Only. Diverse Cultures is designed to be an interdisciplinary study of the concept of culture. The content includes, but is not limited to, language, drama, literature, crafts, art, music, food, recreation, and the values of the particular culture under study. Students also explore certain cross-cultural themes, such as, communication, personal space, family relationships, work, leisure and cultural diffusion. Beginning with study of their own culture, students move on to investigate one or two specific cultures which vary significantly from their own. By comparing and contrasting cultures, students can come to appreciate that the causes of cultural diversity are multiple and that the causes of certain human behaviors can be identified. They will gain awareness that cultural elements such as language, art, music and belief systems can both connect people and cause misunderstanding. As they become more cross-culturally adept, students will not only grow in their appreciation of the culture of the United States, but develop skills that will help them outside the classroom where they can cooperate with people from other cultures and participate in decision-making for the global community.

Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities are related to the specific culture under study and include but are not limited to: Interpreting and/or drawing maps, researching historical events and notable people followed by effective oral presentations of research, writing an original literary work or song, practicing public speaking and theatrical skills such as enunciation, performing a one-act play, reading plays, poetry, and folk tales, tracing cross-cultural themes through related works of literature, listening to music and performing a song or dance, learning basic greetings and courtesies in the foreign language, writing in the target language, sampling and/or cooking foods related to a holiday or celebration, creating a piece of art or a craft representative of the culture, comparing U.S. customs and traditions from one culture to another. Given a variety of modes to express oneself, this course is and opportunity for creative exploration, experimentation, and talent identification.

Major Evaluative Techniques: Students will be evaluated for active class participation; for effectiveness and effort in the completion of assigned tasks; and through projects and performances according to criteria established by the instructor and shared in advance with the students.

Essential Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students should be able to

• Locate the geographic site of the culture under discussion and describe how its location has affected its culture.
• Greet and communicate basic courtesies in the target language.
• Identify significant events in the history of the culture and their affect, if any, on the United States.
• Apply basic performance skills to drama and oral presentations.
• Identify notable people of the target culture.
• Explain how a piece of art or a craft that the student has made reflects the culture under study.
• Compare works of folk literature from different culture based on a theme.
• Perform a work of vocal or instrumental music, or a dance from the target culture.
• Demonstrate a sport, ceremony, game or tradition from the target culture.
• Think critically about how culture shapes identity.
• Comprehend the rich interdependence of cultures within the United States and around the world.
• Appreciate their own cultural heritage.
• Promote healthy civic culture within the classroom.

Last Revised: July 17, 2005