Essay
ThreeErica
Lux--ENGL 1010--Essay
Three
Due: October _____
Compare/contrast
American society with that of another country; specifically, a particular region
of America with a particular region of another country. (Ex: Instead of America
and Africa, Southern America with Southern Africa; instead of America and Japan,
America’s west coast with Japan’s Kantō region.)
Base this comparison on three of the following aspects (choose one from each group):
Family: family structure, the role of the family in society, treatment of elders and children, marriage/divorce, community structure
Employment and Industry: age and sex of working class, retirement, vacation, wages, types of jobs available, main industry, rules of industry
Finances: money management and the importance of money in society
Religion: most practiced, importance of, value placed on, role in society
Pop culture: fashion, entertainment, music, what is the role of pop culture in the society, how much influence does it have over citizens
The Arts: what types, importance of, availability for citizens, preservation of
Food: types, importance of in the culture, food as fashion
Customs: manners, traditions (ex: holidays)
Class: what are the social classes, how are these made known, where are lines drawn
Military: what is the role of the military, recruitment, training, involvement in society, effects on citizens, branches of
Government: what type, head of, branches of, how invasive/non-invasive, effects of, citizens’ views of, politics
Law and Order: crimes and their punishments, the legal system
Health: healthcare system, emphasis on personal health (diet and exercise), disease control
Education: importance of, availability, subjects of study, ages and sex of students
Do not merely compare these aspects on face value; examine the deeper implications on the citizens and the culture and allow those to make a social commentary.
Ex: Do not merely tell that India has Bollywood and California has its Hollywood. How do those industries influence the citizens? How important are those industries to those societies? Does India have something akin to TMZ or Inside Edition? Do Indians worship celebrities as is done in America? Is Bollywood influenced by Hollywood or vice versa? What do all these things say about these cultures and their people?
In the introduction, briefly comment on how (if at all) the other country’s culture has been affected/influenced by American culture/westernization.
In the conclusion, comment on what the two countries could stand to learn from the other: what could be gained after such an examination?
Monday, October 22 we will meet in the library. Have your 3 aspects chosen as well as the cultures you will be comparing. Monday will be your first chance to begin researching.