Reference no: EM133645448
Assignment
Most taboos become so engrained in our culture that we little consider the reasons behind them. With this writing assignment you will consider one taboo in greater detail. The taboo you choose should be something you are interested researching and writing about in your Research Essay. Consider each section of this assignment thoughtfully and carefully, as the ultimate purpose of this assignment is to better understand the underlying reasons for and against a particular argument.
(If you are proposing to argue that something currently not considered taboo should become taboo then you will research that particular thing.)
Your submission must contain all of the below information, clearly labeled.
I. First, choose a taboo. This should be something that is taboo in your part of the world. (National, regional.) (Unless you intend to write about something not considered taboo.)
II. Next, free write for 5-10 minutes about your taboo while considering the following prompts: what do you know about your taboo (history, legality, perceptions in other countries etc.)? What are your assumptions about it? In other words, what kinds of feelings, thoughts, and associations does your taboo conjure? Label and include this free write in the assignment.
Now, research your taboo-the history, cultural perceptions, legalities etc. You can use the Internet for this research. Once you have gathered your evidence write a page or two answering the following questions:
I. Make a list of where your taboo is legal/illegal (both in this country and globally, if that information is available). Briefly discuss the following: Are you surprised by any of these findings? Why or why not? What does your surprise (or lack of) say about your assumptions? How is your taboo perceived differently in other cultures, compared to your own? What do these perceptions perhaps say about the values and beliefs of those other cultures compared to your own?
II. Re-evaluate your earlier free write. In what way were your assumptions challenged during your research? What do your feelings-before, during, after the research-reveal about your values and beliefs? Would you change anything in your free write now that you have considered the taboo in greater depth?