Brainstorm about a culture or ethnic group. (Useful for Mind Map Assignment) Think of all the ways that a culture or ethnic group has impacted the way individuals live, learn, and behave socially. Next, beside each of your top picks with the category’s, clarify for yourself why that impacts the culture or ethnic group specifically. Then write for 5-10 minutes about what outsiders in general might think about the culture or ethnic group. After this, list who on Campus or within a community might be a good insider for information regarding the culture or ethnic group, and why?
Write a profile of a culture or ethnic group that surrounds beliefs, education, and social preferences. Remember this assignment is not about you but about profiling a culture or ethnic group, therefore the essay should be written in 3rd person.
Work to Describe the culture or ethnic groups key features: What makes it a distinct culture or ethnic group, and what experiences or outcomes may someone have who enters that culture or ethnic group reasonably expect?
ducation:
One-room schoolhouses: This preference for their own schools, typically from grades 1-8, is a direct result of their belief that formal education beyond the eighth grade is unnecessary and can expose children to worldly ideas that conflict with their values.
Vocational training: After the eighth grade, learning becomes practical and focused on skills needed for farm life or craft trades within the community. This aligns with their agrarian lifestyle and promotes self-sufficiency.
Social Behavior:
Community over the individual: This is a fundamental principle that influences everything from farming practices (barn raisings) to decision-making. Individual desires are subordinate to the needs of the community.
Meidung (Shunning): The practice of shunning those who break their vows and leave the church is a severe form of social control that reinforces community values and conformity.
Family Structure: Large, patriarchal families are the norm, which provides a strong support network and a built-in workforce for their farms and businesses.
Outsiders' Perceptions
Outsiders often hold a variety of perceptions about the Amish, which can range from romanticized to critical. Many outsiders may view them as a quaint, simple, and peaceful people living a life free from the stresses of modernity. This view often focuses on the aesthetics of their horse-drawn buggies, handcrafted quilts, and communal farming, leading to a nostalgic and idealized image of a bygone era. They may be seen as living a more authentic and virtuous life.
Conversely, outsiders might view the Amish way of life as restrictive, backward, and oppressive. They may see the rejection of technology as a limitation on personal freedom and potential. The practice of shunning can be viewed as a cruel and unforgiving form of social control. This perspective often highlights a perceived lack of individual autonomy and intellectual growth due to their limited formal education and strict social rules. These differing views often stem from a lack of understanding of the deep-seated religious and historical reasons behind their practices.
Sample Answer
Brainstorming: The Amish Community
Beliefs:
Anabaptism: This core belief in adult baptism and non-resistance shapes their entire worldview. It is why they reject military service and violence, and choose to separate from worldly society.
Gelassenheit: A concept of humility, self-surrender, and calmness. This impacts how they live by discouraging individual pride and ambition in favor of community harmony and the will of God.
Separation from the "World": This belief is the primary driver for their rejection of modern technology and mainstream culture, as they believe these things can lead to pride and corrupting influences.