Cultural Relativism

Cultural Relativism

Cultural Relativism

Cultural Relativism Assignment

Cultural Relativism Assignment

The anthropological principle of Cultural Relativism is at its core about appreciating diversity. The following quote is from a recent TEDx talk, How Culture Drives Behaviors:

“…we all see the world through cultural glasses. The lens through which your brain sees the world shapes your reality. If you can change the lens, not only can you change the way your brain perceives behaviors, but you can change the way people relate to cultural differences.” (Julien Bourrelle)

Cultural Relativism Assignment

An initial post of at least 300 words, describe and comment on two ways your lens has changed, recently or in the past, in other words, how you have come to appreciate diversity more than before. (You can describe more than two ways, if you wish.) This can be between you and members of an entirely different culture, or a between you and members of a different subculture within western society (for example, as defined by national origin, language, race, or religion).

Remember, you are writing a single, integrated essay that discusses both of these changes. For each of the two (or more) ways your lens has changed do the following three things:

1. Name at least one specific event or chain of events that opened your eyes to diversity and explain exactly what you learned for the first time about a different culture or subculture, for example concerning someone else’s religion, family life, work practices, philosophy or any other aspect of their way of being human.

2. Discuss what you learned about how those in another culture or subculture see the world. This amounts to not just understanding that they have a practice that is different from what you are familiar with (for example, a religious ritual or a way of dressing), but your perceiving some of the values, perspectives, beliefs, or philosophy that underly that practice.

3. For each instance of “changing your lens” that you describe, be sure to explain what your preconceptions or first impressions were of this practice, belief, or other aspect of culture and what your attitude toward it was after you became familiar with it, perhaps over a period of time.