When you hear the word culture, what does that word mean for you? Would you say you have a culture? Please explain.
Investigative Assignment
Part A – Talk with three people (anyone you have access to in your home and through phone, email, etc.) about their perspective on educational success and culture.
The goal is to learn about people’s viewpoints on whether or not there is a connection between one’s cultural background and educational success. Even those who say they do not “have culture” often draw on cultural aspects of their lives to navigate education. Ask them the following questions. Feel free to ask others.
1) When you hear the word culture, what does that word mean for you? Would you say you have a culture? Please explain.
2) Do you think there’s a connection between someone’s culture and educational success (e.g., good grades in school, going to college, etc.)? Why or why not? What about any connection between culture and economic success (e.g., good career/job, high salary, owning a home, etc.)?
3) Think about your own educational experiences, do you think there’s a culture in schools? Why or why not?
4) If they say yes to #3 ask: Can you tell me a little about the school culture in some of the schools you’ve attended (think of a school that stands out for you)? Do you think school culture can influence whether or not students are successful in school? Why or why not?
Part B
In approximately 4-5 double-spaced pages with 1-inch margins, answer the following. You must use the following format.
Section #1 – In approximately 1 ½ -2 pages, describe who you talked to (no names, use friend, co-worker, mother, cousin, husband, partner, etc.) and a little about their background (if you know anything), then summarize your conversation with each person. You do not need to transcribe the interviews word-for-word.
Section #2 – In approximately 1 ½ -2 pages, use your interviews and material from week 2 (readings and/or lecture), and one reading from either week 3 or week 4 to discuss what you learned about perceptions of culture and educational success. You must refer to specific points in Sections #1. You must refer to specific points from the material in week 2. You must refer to specific points regarding the main research results discussed in the week 3 or week 4 reading. Think about any connections between the material and the interviews. Think about whether or not the interviews seem similar or contradictory to the class material.
Short discussion
1) Select one of your interviews that stands out to you. Choose one that was the most interesting or the most surprising. Write a brief summary of your interview (4-6) sentences.
2) Then write about what you learned overall from all of your interviews about people’s conceptions of culture and educational success. You don’t need to summarize the other two interviews you did. Just talk in general about what you learned from your interviews as a whole (3-5 sentences).
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