Investigative Assignment #1 – Learn about culture and educational success
Part A Be prepared to discuss in class, Thursday, Week 4
Talk with three people (friends, peers, co-workers, family or strangers) about their perspective on educational success and culture. The goal is to learn about peoples viewpoints on whether or not there is a connection between ones 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 theres a connection between someones 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 theres 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 youve 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 5 double-spaced pages with 1-inch margins, answer the following. You must use the following format and be sure to label each section as #1, #2, and #3 in your paper:
Section #1 In approximately 1 12 -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 12 pages, compare your interviews to those of other students in your Thursday discussion group. Specifically, respond to the following two questions: In what ways, if any, were your interview responses similar to your peers interview responses? In what ways, if any, were your interview responses different than your peers interview responses? You must give specific examples from two of your peers interviews when you answer both questions, which means talk about one interview that each of your two peers conducted.
Section #3 In 1 12 -2 pages, use your interviews, your peers interviews, 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 and #2 in your discussion. 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.
