BACKGROUND
Several of the scholars and topics we look at this semester focus on embodiment, or the experience of physically being present in a place/space and interacting with other human beings in that place/space.
For this assignment choose one (or more) opportunities to engage with a community in an embodied way. This means you will physically go to a site and engage with the community.
There are a variety of ways to complete this assignment. You could choose to attend a local political rally, speech, or debate. You could choose to volunteer at the local Food Bank, homeless shelter, or school. You could choose to work on a service project sponsored by a local church (any faith, any denomination, or any non-denominational organization). You could choose to attend worship services of a faith that is not your own. You could choose to talk to neighbors that you have never spoken with. You could drop by an assisted living or retirement community and volunteer or just chat with the people living there. I have posted links to a number of local opportunities for engagement on the course home page. Note that this is not a comprehensive list. If you have an idea outside my suggestions, feel free to email me to discuss.
I highly encourage moving outside of your comfort zone and exploring the range of diversity of cultures, ages, backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, political tenets, etc. that exist.
NOTE: If you have an ability accommodation due to specific limitations on your ability to engage with a community, email me to discuss alternative options.
INSTRUCTIONS
Spend at least four (4) total hours engaged with a community. You can complete the time in one visit or over two or more visits. You can also choose to split your time across multiple communities. You can choose to engage more than the minimum time.
Pay attention while you are engaging with the community. Listen. Who gets to speak? What topics are discussed? What nonverbal communication practices do you notice? Are there divisions within the community? How do members of the community interact? What role(s) do you play while engaging with the community (i.e., to what extent do you choose to/are allowed to participate? to what extent do you feel accepted?)?
Based on your experience and notes, write up a detailed description of your experience (see Question 1 below) as well as a reflection about your learning based on the experience (see Question 2 below).
Write enough to fully answer each question. At a minimum, write no less than a half page (~125 words) for each question.
QUESTION 1
Explain and provide context about the community you selected. Who are they? What are they known for (if anything)? How long has that community existed? Also briefly explain why you chose that specific community for this project.
QUESTION 2
After completing your community engagement, spend some time and write down everything you can remember about the time you spent. Be as detailed as possible. Include details about the physical presence of being with that community, such as colors, smells, tastes/flavors, sounds, accents, language(s), attire, etc.
question 3
What did it feel like to engage with that community? How did the community react to your physical presence? What did you learn that was unexpected or novel? What did you notice that aligned with your expectations going into the community? How did your experience solidify, challenge, or complicate your understanding of one or more course concepts?
Make sure that you fully answer both question 1. and question 2.
CAUTIONs
If at any point you feel unwelcome or in danger, immediately leave the community site. This assignment is not worth a risk of harm (to you or to those you are engaging). There is a difference between feeling out of place and sensing hostility.
Avoid taking notes during your time with the community. Focus on being present, listening, and paying attention to the community members.
Do NOT record (audio or video) your engagement.
FORMAT REQUIREMENTS
Double-space, use 1" margins, and use an appropriate font and size (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt, Arial 11pt).
What to submit
Attach your reflection as a Word document (.docx) or Portable Document File (.pdf).
No other file types will be accepted.
Name your file as follows:
LAST NAME_FIRST NAME_3030_Reflection.xxx
Replace LAST NAME with your surname and replace FIRST NAME with your given name.
xxx will be either .docx or .pdf depending on the file format you choose.
Example:
Torre_Kinny_3030_Reflection.docx