Paper #2 Instructions for Explorations of the Region

Due 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. 2020

Task

You will write a two-to-three page paper based on the interview you did with either a long-term resident of the Region or an immigrant to the Region. You have already given two PowerPoint presentations on your results. Now is the time to expand on your findings and express the meanings and broader consequences for our society in Northwestern Indiana

What to do

In class we have been exploring the anthropological “insider’s” view (emic) view of culture. In you essay, you will want to address the perspectives of your interview subject, which will lead to your own reflections on the quality of life in Northwestern Indiana. A useful way to structure your paper depends on which option you chose.

Option #1

You may wish to organize your paper this way:

Introduce your interview subject, regarding your relationship, personal data, such as age, occupation, education and why you thought this person would be interesting to interview.
Change: how is life different now compared to the recollections of your subject? You may digress on any of the categories addressed, i.e. education, economy, politics, community life, cultural diversity, and any others that may have come up. Next, are the changes positive or negative relative to life in Northwestern Indiana?
Continuity: is there anything that has remained the same in the recollection of your subject? Again refer to the categories addresses, i.e. education, etc. Which aspects of continuity are positive; which are negative, and what are the why’s and wherefores for it?
Future of Northwestern Indiana: How is your subject feeling about the future prospects of Northwestern Indiana? Are those prospects favorable or not-so-favorable, and what would the subject’s reasons be for it?
Your reflection: Your consideration of your subject’s interview could take two tracks:
- Based on what you may know, do you think your subject is a credible source? Do you find any cracks or contradictions in your subject’s comments, or do you find he or she has a solid perspective of life here?
- Based on your life here, did you find anything instructive about our life in the Region? In other words did you learn anything new or insightful? Or was your subject’s comments basically a rehash of what you have already known all along?
Our future: Conclude by explaining if there is anything we can learn from your subject that can make the Region a better place. Or maybe you discovered life is as good as it gets, why is that and how can we keep it that way?

Option #2

A good way to structure this option is to follow a chronological sequence of your subject’s life. You may add your own reflections to each chronological stage or saving it for a section near the end.

Introduce your interview subject, regarding the country from which your subject originated, your relationship, personal data, such as age, occupation, education and why you through this person would be interesting to interview.
Pre-trip Stage: What was the thinking of your subject in deciding to come here, and what was involved in the planning process?
Arriving here: What was cacophony of sights, sounds and activity your subject encountered when he or she stepped foot on American soil, and what were some initial challenges faced in settling into a norm of life?
Experiences with American culture: How did your subject confront the differences between his or hers' native culture and newly adopted one in the United States? These might regard language, food, customs, employment, education, politics, etc.? Was your subject able to adapt, or not, and how did that drama play out as your subject’s time proceeded?
The Wrap-Up: This section may take two different tracks, or both:
- Did your subject grow either personally, materially or spiritually by coming here?
- After all these years, how does your subject reflect on the decision to come here? Was it worth it, and why, or maybe it wasn’t, and why not?
Your Reflection: You may have addressed this through specific aspects of your narrative, already. But summarize here what you learned about America through the eyes of your subject’s recollections.

How to be successful:

Think of the guidelines above as helpful hints to organize your thoughts and paper. Do not become a slave to them, as you may find more persuasive and compelling ways to write your paper. Most of all, do not bullet-point your paragraphs according to the order listed above. Just write the paragraphs in the order provided without numbering each. The instructor will also consider grammar, spelling and sentence structure.

Turn in:

Once you are done and have proofread your essay, send it as a regular Word document to the instructor as an attachment to either the Canvas messenger or e-mail at szolvins.

Deadline is 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020

Grading Guidelines:

The only grade for assignments is acceptable or unacceptable. To be judged acceptable, your assignment must be typed, readable, and must meet all the requirements listed in the “Task” description.