Essay on "Compare and Contrast Two Minority Cultures in NM"

Quoted Instructions for "Compare and Contrast Two Minority Cultures in NM" Assignment:

In this task, you will use selected resources to research and report on the lifestyles, values, morals, and other characteristics of at least two minority cultures living in your state (New Mexico, Native American and Mexican American).

For organizational ease, include the following task headings: label section C Concept Map, label sections D-G the paper title you choose, label section H Personal and Professional Relevance. Keep the work organized in the same way the task is outlined.

Task:

A. Write a statement of purpose for your research project on minority cultures living in your state (New Mexico).

*****¢ A statement of purpose is a sentence that defines what you want to learn about in your research project and acts as a guide for your research.

Note: Your statement of purpose will go into the introduction of your paper. (See D1 below)

B. Locate and gather sources of information from the library, the Internet, interlibrary loan, or from organizations that directly represent the cultures you wish to study.

1. Secondary sources: Locate at least two non-Internet sources on each culture (four sources total). Seek various types of sources (e.g., textbook, library monograph, brochure, etc.). Do not include encyclopedias as part of the four required sources.

2. Primary sources: Locate at least three sources for each culture (six sources total). Seek various types of materials (e.g., pictures, documents from authoritative bodies, poetry from members of that culture, etc.).

a. Include at least one primary source for either culture from the Internet.

b. Include at least one primary source for either culture from an official government or public policy source (e.g., U.S. Supreme Court or U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division), which are available on the Internet at sites indicated by *.gov rather than *.com or *.edu.

Note: Make sure that you identify your sources as either primary or secondary.

C. Create a concept map or an outline for each culture (two maps or outlines total) and upload them with your research paper. Each concept map or outline should represent at least three common themes, concepts, and ideas (e.g., beliefs, foods, arts and entertainment, educational aspirations, political tendencies, traditions, family life, holidays, languages spoken).

D. Write an introduction (suggested length of 1*****2 paragraphs).

1. Place your statement of purpose at the beginning of your introduction.

2. Identify the cultures you researched. (Native American and Mexican Americans living in New Mexico)

3. Briefly describe the common themes, concepts, and ideas of each culture you will address.

E. Write a results section to describe each culture (suggested length of 1*****2 pages per culture).

1. Present the information you found on each culture.

2. Cite any information you include using APA in-text citations.

F. Write a discussion and conclusions section (suggested length of 1*****2 pages).

1. Discuss how the two cultures are similar (at least two similarities).

2. Discuss how the two cultures are different (at least three differences).

3. Explain at least three ways the information from this project could be applied in a classroom.

G. Create a reference list in APA format.

H. Clearly describe the materials and methods you employed (suggested length of 1*****2 paragraphs).

1. Briefly describe the methods you used to find your resources.

2. Explain which sources were most important and why.

3. Describe how you reviewed and synthesized the information you found in the sources.

4. Describe why the report is important to you personally and as a teaching professional. Explore your feelings and make connections between the information you learned and your future as a teacher.