This assignment asks students to participate in and reflect on an activity, outside of class time, to strengthen their engagement with the Individual in Community Hub unit (WR 111). Note that an alternate version of this activity, which does not ask students to work in groups and which is written to accommodate online/remote events if the situation requires, is also available here.

Objective

to analyze at least one of the dimensions of experience (historical, racial, socio‐economic, political, gender, linguistic, religious, or cultural) that inform their own worldviews and beliefs as well as those of other individuals and societies; to participate respectfully in different communities such as campus, citywide, national and international groups, and recognize and reflect on the issues relevant to those communities.

Key Terms

reflection, metacognition, Hub, experiential learning

Group Project: Attend an event

    In assigned groups of 2 or 3 students, complete ONE of the activities from the list below. Then write up a brief description of the activity, why you chose it, and a brief response to it, along with a photo, screen shot, or other visual representation.  Each group will be presenting these materials briefly in class.

    1. Go to a local museum such as the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), The Gardner, The Museum of Science, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Find an object from a culture different than your own, describe and discuss it.  Why did you choose it? What does it represent?  What do you notice about it?  How does it make you feel?
    2. Go to a restaurant from a culture that is not your own. Describe and discuss your meal.  Why did you choose this cuisine?  How is it similar to or different from what you are used to?  What was your reaction to it?
    3. Attend a BU campus event that you’ve never been to, such as a cultural event, lecture, sporting event, service at Marsh chapel, etc. Again, why did you choose this event and what was your reaction to it?

    Individual Work: Write and reflect

      • Your write-up of the activity should be brief (no more than 1-2 pages) but comprehensive, and should include input from all group members. You can structure it any way you like, perhaps as a group consensus (“we thought…”) or as individual but related input (“X’s response was Y, but A’s response was B”).
      • Be creative, both in the activity you choose and the way in which you present it. This is meant as an opportunity for you to try new experiences and to stretch beyond experiences that are familiar to you.