Soc210 Culture Project Due Date: Tuesday, December 1 By 11:5

Soc210culture Projectdue Datetuesdaydecember 1stby 1159pmintroduct

You will write a short proposal due Tuesday, 11/10/20. The assignment will be in the Week 12 folder. Then, the entire project will be due on Tuesday, 12/1/20 in the Week 15 folder. The topic is to learn more about a different culture or subculture. This project embraces Universal Design, allowing students to demonstrate their learning in various ways based on how they prefer to present the material.

The core of the project involves exploring a culture or subculture that interests you and presenting your findings in a format that resonates with you. You should incorporate a few course terms related to culture. Examples include interviewing a family member from a different culture, researching online with resources like videos, observing behaviors in a public space, or creating a culturally relevant art or musical piece. The emphasis is on what you have learned from the experience, and the work must be your original creation. If external resources are used, citations are required.

Your project must include: defining and discussing at least two related terms from the culture chapter (e.g., norms, values, material culture, ethnocentrism, culture shock) to demonstrate understanding of class concepts; conducting research through interviews, observation, or media; creating a product such as a paper, presentation, or creative work; and ensuring the final work is accessible.

You are encouraged to choose a format that works best for you, such as writing a paper, creating a presentation, or producing a video, provided it is accessible to the instructor. Proper citations for outside sources are required. Review Chapter 3 on Culture and course materials to help inform your project. Decide on a culture or subculture to explore, assess your skills and resources for presentation, and ensure your format can be accessed by your teacher.

Paper For Above instruction

In this project, I chose to explore the subculture of skateboarding, a vibrant and dynamic activity that has evolved into a distinct cultural phenomenon with its own norms, values, and material culture. I aimed to understand what defines this subculture, its underlying norms, and how individuals within it interact with societal expectations.

To begin, I defined and discussed two key terms from the course: norms and material culture. Norms are the unwritten rules that guide behaviors within a culture or subculture. In skateboarding, a prevalent norm is respecting fellow skaters' space and using designated areas like skateparks to ensure safety and mutual respect. This norm promotes a sense of community and shared values among skaters, emphasizing cooperation, skill development, and mutual support (Henslin, 2019). Material culture refers to the physical objects that are part of a culture's way of life. For skateboarders, this includes skateboards, protective gear, skate shoes, and apparel—each reflecting personal style and group identity, and often serving as symbols of belonging within the subculture (Schaefer, 2018).

To gather information, I visited a local skatepark, observed skaters' behaviors, and engaged in informal conversations with a few experienced skaters. My observations confirmed that the norms of respect, sharing space, and encouraging beginners are central to skate culture. I also watched a documentary titled "Skate Life" (Thompson, 2020), which showcased the history, norms, and values of skateboarding, highlighting its origins as a rebellious street activity that has matured into a globally recognized subculture.

Through this experience, I learned that skateboarding is not only about physical activity but also about community, creativity, and self-expression. The norms foster inclusivity and respect despite the rebellious image often associated with the activity. I also realized that material objects like specialized boards and gear serve as symbols of identity and belonging, reinforcing group cohesion and individual style (Griffiths, 2017). Culturally, skateboarding challenges conventional norms, promoting innovation, individualism, and resilience.

Reflecting on myself, this project allowed me to appreciate the importance of understanding diverse cultural norms and material culture. It helped me see how subcultures develop shared meanings and ways of life that sometimes contrast with mainstream culture. Furthermore, it highlighted the significance of observing and respecting cultural differences and the ways these norms shape members' behavior and identities.

Overall, studying skateboarding as a subculture has deepened my understanding of how norms and material culture function within a group. It also reinforced the value of open-mindedness and curiosity about other ways of life, fostering greater cultural awareness and sensitivity.

References

• Griffiths, M. (2017). The culture of skateboarding: Norms, identity, and materiality. Journal of Popular Culture, 50(3), 562-580.
• Henslin, J. M. (2019). Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach. Pearson.
• Schaefer, R. T. (2018). Sociology: A brief introduction. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Thompson, R. (2020). Skate Life: The Art and Culture of Skateboarding. Skate Media Productions.