You are required to number your responses, submit your work as a PDF, and to be detailed and
thorough in all your responses. I expect it will take at least one paragraph to answer each
question.
Expectations for Written Work
1. Number your responses if the questions/prompts are numbered.
2. When completing any writing assignment, keep in mind the point of all the assigned tasks in this
course: to demonstrate knowledge about the subject, to demonstrate your ability to think critically,
to demonstrate the use of your sociological imagination, and to demonstrate your ability to write
clearly and effectively. Before submitting your work, be sure that all your responses do each of
these things.
3. All written work should be well-written and well thought-out meaning it should utilize full
sentences with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation and demonstrate critical thinking skills
and subject knowledge.
4. Longer responses on written work typically receive higher scores because they usually
demonstrate deeper thought, more critical thinking and analysis, and better content mastery.
However, lengthy “fluff” responses that don’t actually say anything meaningful will result in a loss
of points.
5. Skipping a question or questions on any assignment will result in a significant drop in your score
for that assignment because it shows a lack of effort. You should always attempt to answer every
question.
6. Similarly, be sure you fully answer all the questions asked. Often there are multiple parts and it is
critical that you do everything that is asked of you and fully answer all questions.
7. Neglecting to follow directions may result in a 0 for the entire assignment.
On Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specifically:
In this course, we will utilize an AI detection tool when we score your written work and this tool is
incredibly accurate. The chances of anyone getting away with using Artificial Intelligence (AI) are
essentially nil. Students who utilize AI or who engage in any other form of academic dishonesty —
plagiarism, collusion, etc. — will first be given a 0 on the assignment. NO CHAT GPT
Assignment 1 Read the following articles: Becker, Swidler, and Miner.
1. How does Becker define culture? Then, based on everything we have covered, write your own
definition of culture.
2. What does it mean to say that culture is a “toolkit”? What is in the “cultural toolkit”?
3. What culture do you think the Nacirema article is describing? Why? [Questions to consider: Do they
seem primitive or advanced? Do their ways seem foreign or familiar?]
4. There are various components of culture including material objects, symbols, language, values, beliefs,
and norms. Identify at least one of each in the Nacireman culture.
5. Ask your friends and/or family [at least 2 people] what culture means to them. What are the significant
similarities and differences in their understanding(s) of the word? How does it compare to your own
definition of culture [see question 1]? How do various demographics such as age, sex, race, ethnicity,
class, ability, sexual orientation, place of residence, and so on shape their answers?
