This seminar provides opportunities for students to study and do individual research on values and social patterns in the United States as seen in various aspects of cultural behavior and expression.
Class activities will include watching, listening to, and discussing film, art, music, and other areas of human expression. For research topics, students may choose an aspect of culture related their own individual interest. This may include film, art, music, media, literature, theater, education, politics, business, science, religion, or another area of particular interest. Students will conduct guided research into how some aspect of their chosen area of interest reflects changes in US social values and patterns.
For example, a student may choose a contemporary American music group and analyze how that group's music reflects contemporary values in the United States. Another student may choose contemporary American film that shows lives of ordinary citizens and conduct research on how such film reflects changing values and patterns. Creative projects will be highly encouraged.
The seminar will include discussion of research projects by all participants as well as time devoted to each student's work. Students will be expected to present results of their own research and provide supportive input for the research of their classmates. Participation in the seminar will result in a final project which will be presented to the group.
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