Humanities Question

Select two artifacts from different cultures that depict a hero and analyze the similarities and differences between the heroic qualities expressed or represented in these artifacts.

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Introduction

Other people’s ideas are often better than your own. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.

Amy Poehler, actress, comedian, and writer

Much of Amy Poehlers work, including her time on Saturday Night Live and Parks and Recreation, involved her closely collaborating with a team. Just like Amy, working with others who have different perspectives and talents can not only help you successfully meet your goals, it can also inspire you (and others) to work in new ways.

In this assessment, you will continue to strengthen your relationship-building skills as you explore how artists work together to change peoples perspectives and how you can use those same strategies to inspire change in your personal and professional life. Exploring these strategies will also help you hone your self- and social-awareness skills. Thats because, to work with teams effectively, you need to consider how others are feeling and how you can encourage them to do their best work. When your team members are doing their best, youll find that you do your best, too.

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.

Michael Jordan, former professional basketball player

Its easier if I just do it myself. That thought has probably crossed your mind at some point in your life or career. It might happen when youre working alone on a challenging task, you feel like explaining your process or asking for help will only make more work for you. In some situations, it may truly be easier to go at it alone. But more often, there is a tremendous benefit to working with others, especially when those people have different perspectives from yours.

During this assessment, you will also strengthen your relationship-building skills by exploring how artists collaborate with others to grow their abilities and how you can also work constructively with other people to achieve great things in your personal and professional life. As you collaborate with friends, peers, and colleagues, you will continue to strengthen your self- and social-awareness skills by learning to grow from feedback.

References

BrainyQuote. (n.d.). Michael Jordan quotes.

Goodreads. (n.d.). Amy Poehler quotes.

Overview

As you navigate environments in your personal and professional life, you will engage with people and artifacts from different cultures. In these interactions, you will naturally compare the similarities and differences of other cultures to your own and to other cultures you have been exposed to. For this assessment, you will complete a comparative analysis of heroic qualities displayed in artifacts from two different cultures. This analysis will help you interpret, compare, and communicate information and be more effective in your interactions at work, home, and school.

Preparation

Select two artifacts, from two different cultures, that represent or express cultural views about heroes and heroic qualities. You can select your own cultural artifacts or choose artifacts featured in the text. You will also support your analysis with relevant course readings and resources. Key things to look for as you examine your chosen artifacts are:

• Qualities of the hero story: Identify two similarities and two differences between the hero stories from these cultures.
• Cultural values and beliefs: Explain what your findings suggest to you about each culture’s values and beliefs regarding what makes a hero.

Instructions

After you have chosen your topic and the relevant artifacts, write 23 pages that incorporate the following items:

1. Describe your chosen artifacts and the cultures in which these artifacts were created.
   • Identify and describe the artifacts you selected for your comparative cultural analysis.
   • Describe the cultures and historical context in which the artifacts were created.
2. Analyze how your chosen artifacts portray or express cultural views about heroes.
   • Discuss two similarities and two differences between the hero stories from the two cultures.
   • Explain what your findings suggest to you about the cultural values and beliefs of each culture regarding what makes a hero.
3. Summarize two main takeaways about the cultures reflected and insights you gained.
   • Describe what you learned about the cultures reflected.
   • Explain how the insights you gained from these two cultures can be used to widen your perspective.
4. Explain how understanding the cultural similarities and differences that exist between your own culture and your chosen cultures can benefit you in your personal, academic, and professional life.
   • Describe at least two similarities and/or differences between your own cultural values and ideals and that of one of the cultures you chose for this assessment.
   • Explain how these insights can be used to support your professional, academic, and personal endeavors.
5. Write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, mechanics, citations, and formatting.

Additional Requirements

Your submission should meet the following requirements:

• Length: 23 pages of text, in addition to a title page and reference page.
• Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
• Formatting: Format your submission with a title page, double-spacing, and a reference page.
• Citations: Cite at least two sources to support your analysis. Properly cite sources according to APA rules. Review for more information on how to cite your sources.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:

• Competency 1: Analyze personal cultural bias.
  • Summarize two main takeaways about the cultures reflected and insights gained.
  • Explain how understanding the cultural similarities and differences that exist between one’s own culture and that of the artifact chosen in the assessment can benefit one’s personal, academic, and professional life.
• Competency 3: Analyze cultural differences and similarities of people globally.
  • Describe chosen artifacts and the cultures in which these artifacts were created.
• Competency 4: Analyze the role of culture and artistic expression in human thought and behavior.
  • Analyze how artifacts portray or express cultural views about heroes.
• Competency 5: Address assignment purpose in a well-organized text incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences
  • Write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, mechanics, citations, and formatting.
  • Use the resources linked below to help complete this assessment.Collapse All
    

    The Stories We Tell

    Think about how it feels to be pulled into a great story. It could be a mystery novel, filled with clever twists and turns that keep you guessing, or a historical podcast that makes the past come alive. Even a funny anecdote from a friend can have you hanging on the edge of your seat.Stories are all around us. They can help us think about our world, teach us important lessons, and allow us to understand other peoples cultures. As we compare ourselves to a storys characters, we also begin to think critically about our own beliefs. As we follow plots, we learn lessons about how people make decisions. And as we think through the problems shared in stories, we expand our knowledge in ways that let us move past bias and accept different perspectives.Youll study the themes and values that are consistent in stories across cultures. Understanding what different cultural stories have in common will help you acknowledge your biases, consider outside perspectives, and use the knowledge you gain to approach and solve problems in a new way.This might mean that you stop to consider whether a rumor you hear about your neighbor is changing the way you interact with them each morning or why the documentary you watched about social injustice made you so uncomfortable about actions youve taken in the past. In this way, understanding stories will help you strengthen your empathy and problem-solving skills in this course and beyond.Virtually all storieswhether theyre fable, myth, thriller, romance, or even just gossiphave three universal elements: characters, setting, and plot. Stories also always have a purpose, such as to inform, explain, persuade, or entertain (some stories aim to do several of those things at once.) We also tend to tell stories that have a common structure. In the beginning, we meet our main characters and figure out what their problems are. In the middle, the characters try to solve their problems, usually unsuccessfully. In the end, they either figure out solutions to their problems or they have to accept the consequences of their failure.Through this journey, the audience learns the storys theme. A theme is a universal idea, lesson, or message that is conveyed through the characters choices and experiences. And many of the same themes show up in stories around the world, told by people with very different backgrounds and cultures. These common themes show us that there are meaningful ideas and beliefs about life that are shared by people everywhere. Some of these universal themes include:

    • Love overcomes hate. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, teens from feuding families end up falling in love.
    • Power corrupts. In The Hunger Games, a totalitarian government mistreats and murders its citizens.
    • Humans are inherently evil. Lord of the Flies shows that people can easily turn selfish and brutal when left to their own devices.
    • Doing what it takes to survive. In Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, a family fights to stay strong in the face of racism, illness, and poverty.

    Another common element in stories across cultures is the hero’s journey. Many of the movies we watch and books we read have a hero, who begins the story by minding his or her own business, when something huge happenslike aliens invading, zombies attacking, or a really important person going missing. At first, the hero isnt sure if theyll do anything about it. But of course, they eventually spring into action. They go through a series of difficult ordeals as they try to save the world, battle undead monsters, rescue the senators daughter, or whatever it is theyre hoping to accomplish. They end up succeeding, usually thanks to the help of some trusty friends. They then come home and discover that life is very different.Sound familiar? That structure has been used in ancient Greek texts (like The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer) and modern movies (like Star Wars, The Matrix, and Black Panther, to name just a few).As you study common story elements, youll see that very often, people from different cultures have the same emotions, problems, and struggles. While we all have unique life experiences, stories show the connections that all humans have in common, while also showing where they differ in their values. Analyzing stories helps us consider different cultural perspectives, move past individual biases, and understand our shared humanity so we can solve problems big and small.

    • .
      • Chapter 6: Hero Stories.
        • In this chapter, you learn about how stories are used to resolve conflicts, pass down history, and how connect and interpret the meaning of stories. Before you read the chapter, read or listen to the following artifacts. Chapter 6 will refer to these artifacts.
          • BibleGateway. (n.d.). .
          • Sony Pictures Animation. (2019, December 5). . YouTube.
          • CBC. (n.d.). .

    The Art of Teamwork

    In 2015, Lin-Manuel Miranda and a team of producers, directors, choreographers, and others brought a new musical, Hamilton, to Broadway. Their collaboration had a profound impact not just on theatergoers, but on the entire country.The show, which features a diverse cast and an innovative hip-hop soundtrack, changed the way many think about musical theatre, the hot-button issue of immigration, and the historical figure Alexander Hamilton himself. But it took tremendous collaboration between Miranda and his team to bring together the modern musical lyrics, historical accuracy, and social commentary that made Hamilton a smash Broadway hit (Churchwell, 2016; McCarthy, 2020).Thats why collaboration is so important. It brings together ideas from multiple parties that can inspire change. Whether youre writing song lyrics for the next hit musical or teaming up with others at home, work, or school, collaboration can help you set the stage for your personal and professional success.You will continue to strengthen your relationship-building skills as you explore how artists learn from their peers and the world around them. Successful artists know that to grow, they have to seek inspiration from a large network of their contemporaries, both inside and outside their normal circles. They also understand that by collaborating with others, they can create art that has the power to change peoples perspectives and inspire new generations. For example, the hip-hop songs in Hamilton changed peoples perspectives on what a Broadway musical is supposed to sound like (VanDerWerff, 2016).For these collaborations to be truly effective, everyone involved needs to be mindful of their actions and of how everyone else in the group feels. Thats why it is essential to also have highly developed self- and social awareness skills.In Chapter 8 of Exploring Cultures, youll discover how artists use both of these skills together to effect change and influence the way people think. Youll also learn effective collaboration strategies to improve the way you work with teams right now.The next time youre in a team meeting, try practicing these strategies:

    • Acknowledge unique points of view. For example, you might say something like, Thats something we hadnt considered, Chay.
    • Ask people who havent shared their thoughts for their input: Deanna, Im curious to hear your perspective.
    • Repeat what others said. Then add to those details so you can move the conversation forward: As Mimi pointed out, our numbers last quarter were up 18%. How can we improve upon that this quarter?
    • Find common ground, even when you dont see eye-to-eye with someone: Rosa and I may disagree about exactly what to do next, but we both agree that we need to focus on marketing.
    • Give credit to people who come up with great ideas: Gideons concept is exactly what were looking for!

    By using these strategies, you will build strong connections with the people around you, which in turn will lead to truly inspiring work.

    • .
      • Chapter 8: The Art of Teamwork.
        • This chapter continues to delve into collaboration and the creative choices artists make in their endeavor to express themselves and what they care about. Before you read the chapter, view or listen to the following artifacts. Chapter 8 will refer to these artifacts.
          • Davis, M. (2013, May 14). . YouTube.
          • Rollins, T., & K.O.S. (2011). . Lehmann Maupin, New York, NY, United States.
          • Rollins, T., & K.O.S. (2008). . Lehmann Maupin, New York, NY, United States.
          • Artnet. (2013, December 4). | . YouTube.
            • Sometimes, the best way to learn about how a work of art was created is by hearing the artists own story. Although Tim Rollins died in 2017, were fortunate to have a video that not only offers context for this work but also features him describing the creative process that went into making it.
          • The Obama White House. (2017, January 3). . YouTube.

    References

    Churchwell, S. (2016). Why Hamilton is making musical history. The Guardian. McCarthy, E. (2020). 26 things you might not have known about Hamilton. Mental Floss. VanDerWerff, E. (2016). Hamilton isnt perfect. But its *perfect.* I couldnt write for a month after I saw it. Vox.

    Better Together

    Jay-Z, Eminem, T-Pain, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and many other artists are famous for their musical collaborations that bring together different talents and styles and create unique and popular hits.Take, for example, the 2013 single “Get Lucky”a collaboration of electronica, disco, and R&B by artists Daft Punk, Nile Rodgers, and Pharrell Williams. By joining forces, these talented musicians not only created a unique track but also reached new heights in their careers. Their hit went on to win the Record of the Year Grammy and become one of the best-selling songs of all time (MacKenzie, 2017).Of course, you dont have to be a musical icon to see the benefits of working with others. Collaborating with family members, friends, fellow students, and co-workers can bring together many different skills and talents, help you broaden your perspective, and lead to better results for everyone.You will hone your relationship-building skills by exploring the benefits of collaboration. The study of humanities is, in many ways, a study of the power of people working together, as numerous works of art, music, architecture, and literature are the direct result of great minds coming together to create something they couldnt have accomplished on their own.In Chapter 7 of Exploring Cultures, youll discover how others have collaborated throughout history and explore techniques that you can use right now to collaborate with friends and colleagues.As you learn to work with others, you may find yourself receiving feedback from the group on how you perform certain tasks. For example, you might be told that youre a strong communicator and great at clearly explaining directions. Or you may be asked to manage your time more efficiently so you can attend group meetings.Working closely with others canand shouldlead to these types of valuable feedback on what youre doing well and where you can improve. Understanding the importance of seeking, receiving, and learning from feedback is an essential element of growing your self- and social-awareness skills.Remember, feedback is not the same as criticism. The point of feedback is to help you grow and improve, which is crucial in your personal and professional development. Still, its easy to get constructive feedback and feel defensive. You may think it means, What youre doing isnt good enough, when in fact, it means, Youre doing great. Heres how you could be doing even better!When getting feedback, remember to:

    • Keep an open mind about what youre hearing, even if you dont immediately agree.
    • Listen. Its important to focus on whats being said so you get a full picture of the feedback, which will be more helpful than just a few details.
    • Dont argue, but do ask for specifics.
    • Show your commitment to addressing others suggestions.
    • Reflect on what you heard. Give it real thought, and consider talking to other people to see if they have similar feedback for you.

    Being enthusiastic about working with othersand learning from their opinions on how you can improveis vital to your personal and professional growth.

    • .
      • Chapter 7: Better Together.
        • This chapter focuses on how we collaborate and how artists have used collaboration to produce artwork, music, theater, and other types of artifacts. Before you read the chapter, read or listen to the following artifacts. Chapter 7 will refer to these artifacts.
          • Y Sato. (2017, May 16). . YouTube.
          • Vanderhoof, E. (2019). . Vanity Fair.
          • Griffin, W., Hassam, C., & Poore, H. R. (1907). . Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, CT, United States.
          • Smith, B., & Smith, R. (2019). . Ingleby, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
          • Mingo, L. (1959). The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, United States.
          • Pettway, L. T. (1955). . The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, United States.

    Reference

    MacKenzie, A. (2017). Daft Punk’s ‘Get lucky’ in every classical music style is both educational and impressive. Classic FM.

    Feedback and Collaboration

    • .
      • Not many people get excited at the thought of getting feedback at work. But learning how to receive and grow from it is crucial for professional success. That means developing a good mindset for accepting feedback and using it to grow. It also sometimes means eating a hearty portion of humble pie. In this media, former Disney executive Dan Cockerell shares how feedback provided him and his colleagues with opportunities for career growth.
    • .
      • Is it possible for musicians from wildly different artistic backgrounds to find common ground? Thats what Grammy Award winners Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi set out to do on their album There Is No Other. In this media, youll step inside the studio to see how these artists harnessed the power of collaboration to sync up and harmonize.

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