Course Title: ART 291H Cultural Narratives and You
Term: Spring

Course Description:

Explore the cultural identity development of women through a macro lens. Delve into its interdisciplinary construction, including beauty, the heroine’s/hero’s journey, social justice movements, tattoos, the arts, and a narrative of place ―Lab fee.

 

Course Learning Objectives:

To provide psycho-educational lectures, library research, readings, discussions, visual research, and integrative experiences that:

1. Students will acquire interdisciplinary knowledge regarding cultural narratives, values, ethics, and theoretical orientations.  

2. Students will study the evolution of cultural narratives from historical to contemporary eras.

3. Analytically compare and expand their perceptions of cultures and subcultures. 

4. Students will improve critical and analytical reading, writing, and discussion skills. 

5. Support opportunities to explore and increase cultural humility.

 

Course Learning Outcomes:  

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Acquire interdisciplinary knowledge regarding the theoretical orientations related to cultural narratives.  

2. Communicate the evolution of cultural narratives from historical to contemporary eras.

3. Enhance critical thinking regarding perceptions of cultures and subcultures. 

4. Demonstrate critical and analytical reading, writing, and discussion skills. 

5. Cultivate cultural humility within themselves and diverse populations.

 

Required Books and Instructional Materials:

Willa Cather, My Antonia. Penguin Classics. 

Dianne Guerrero, (2016). In the Country We Love. St. Marten’s Griffin.

Amy Ellis Nutt, (2015). Becoming Nicole. Random House Publishers. 

 

Additional readings are available on Canvas.

What is a Cultural Narrative Essay?

Before reading the course material, write a 2-3-page paper describing your current definition of cultural narrative and a narrative of place. 

Start by defining narrative, culture, and their interrelationship.

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Explore how your definition was created. Include what or who has influenced this definition.

Has your definition changed since you came to Converse University? If so, how and why? If not, why? 

You will need this initial paper to compare and contrast ideas at the end of the course.

• Cultural Narrative Essay01.pdf

• Cultural Narrative Essay02.pdf

 

Becoming Nicole Essay: 

Using one of the following theoretical orientations discussed in class; Constructivism, Empowerment, Ecological/Systems Theory, or Resilience, describe how this theory is represented in this book. The paper will be 3-5 pages. How has this book transformed your understanding of cultural narratives related to gender? Be specific. If your view has not changed, explain why. Add the image response as an addendum to your paper. Include a one-paragraph commentary on any unconscious insights that may have emerged.

• Becoming Nicole Essay01.pdf

• Becoming Nicole Essay01.pdf

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My Antonia Essay:

Choose another theoretical orientation and describe how this theory is represented in the book. Your essay will be 3-5 pages.

Describe your understanding of a pioneer woman’s voice. How is it similar or different from your own?

How has this book transformed your understanding of the narrative of place? Be specific. 

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Add image response as an addendum to your paper. Include a one-paragraph commentary on any unconscious insight that may have emerged.

• My Antonia Essay01.pdf

• My Antonia Essay02.pdf

 

In the Country We Love Essay: 

Write a 3-5 page essay, utilizing the Intersectional Framework and choosing one additional theory. Describe how these two theories are interrelated. Describe how these theories are represented in the book.  

 

Once your argument has been clearly and thoroughly stated, briefly articulate your response to the book. What surprised you about your answer? Any additional thoughts?

• Country We Love Essay01.pdf

• Country We Love Essay02.pdf

 

Research Presentation: 

You will divide up into small groups and complete a comprehensive research presentation on your subject. The presentation will be 45 minutes and will include a PowerPoint presentation. The goal is to work collaboratively; you will need to engage with your cohort and not just divide the sections and work individually with a final product. It is highly recommended you make an appointment to go over the presentation outline at least two weeks before your presentation.

• Research Presentation01.pdf

• Research Presentation02.pdf

 

Response Image Portfolio: 

Throughout the course, through art-making and imagery, we will explore the notion that cultural narratives are unconscious. Materials are available in the art therapy studio. Please note the aesthetic quality of the image will not be graded. 

• Response Image Portfolio01.pdf

• Response Image Portfolio02.pdf

 

Critical Reading Responses:

To synthesize the reading material sufficiently, you are expected to write a 1 paragraph critical reflection on each chapter(s) or article(s) assigned for class. Reference the reading in its entirety as the heading of your response. Your observations should NOT be a summary of the reading. Underlining key ideas and making marks in the margins can help you organize your thoughts. These papers are designed to hone your critical reading and writing skills. Please avoid providing a simple summary of the readings and personal anecdotes and strive instead for a studied commentary, which assesses the validity and strengths of the arguments presented in your paper. 

• Critical Reading Responses01.pdf

• Critical Reading Responses02.pdf

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Interview and Findings Presentation: 

Find an individual who is a minimum of 20 years older than you; yes, they must be 20 years older. You will be asking questions exploring their understanding of cultural narratives and sharing your findings with the class. You will want permission to share their story in class. Feel free to leave any sections they may not want to be shared in class.

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Bring these questions to the interview: 

1. Why did you choose this individual? 

2. Who is this individual?

3. What questions did you ask to explore their cultural narrative? Why?

4. Which theory of human behavior did you explore? 

5. Has their cultural narrative changed over the years? How so?

6. How does the narrative of place formulate their narrative? 

7. What are their thoughts/reactions to the cultural narrative of youth or your generation?

8. What are their opinions about social media transforming the cultural narrative?

9. What other concepts discussed in class will you include in your interview?

Write a 1-2-page synopsis of the interview as an addendum, including notes from the interview questions. Each student will have 10 minutes to present your findings during the final exam.

• Interview and Findings Presentation01.pdf

• Interview and Findings Presentation02.pdf