CAS 1543 (Ethical and Intercultural Leadership): Week 3 Guide

Codes & Cycles + Library Visit

Answer the following questions in a short essay (at least 1 & 1/2 pages).  Use the distinctions and your responses from class to write this paper.  You may also want to refer to the Optional Reading “The Meaning of Life – intro” by Steve Pavlina to help you figure out what you want to write.

http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/06/the-meaning-of-life-intro/

 Your Personal Moral Code is like a motto you find yourself saying a lot, like “The Golden Rule” (Do unto others…) or “Look out for #1” or “Family First,” that helps to guide your behavior and expectations of the behavior of others.  You will need to identify your Personal Moral Code to do the assignment.  You might want to read the Optional Reading (“The Meaning of Life Intro”) that is linked on the Week 2 Overview Page to help you with the Personal Moral Code Assignment.  

1. What is your Personal Moral Code?
2. How did you develop it? (ex: got it from parents; personal research; life experiences; a movie/book; etc)
3. Who influenced your Personal Moral Code? (ex: parents; faith; role models, etc)
4. When does it fail? (ex: Golden Rule – fails when not reciprocated)

Exploring Cultural Heritage Paper

For this assignment, you will submit a two-page paper (double spaced) 300 – 500 words iminimum paper exploring an aspect of your cultural heritage after interviewing a family member (such as a parent, grandparent, or other guardian) or another person who shares this same heritage. 

For the interview, you might prepare 5-7 questions to learn more about your interviewee’s perspective on this shared cultural heritage. Sample interview questions:

• Tell me more about your background as it relates to being a member of ________________. 
• What do you believe are important values often shared among members of ____________________? 
• Are there any symbols that you believe represent _________________? What do they mean to you personally? 
• What do you want others to know about members of _________________?

Following the interview, please discuss this aspect of your cultural heritage (such as family, ethnic, religious/spiritual, and/or team membership) that you identify with and describe some of the important customs, traditions, or cultural expressions (food, dress code, language, housing, or music) that are often shared among members of this cultural group. You can also detail symbols, monuments, books, art, artifacts, and/or behaviors, attitudes, perspectives, and values that relate to your heritage.

 The goal of this assignment is to provide an opportunity for you to grow in the understanding of your own cultural heritage, so you can also begin to further consider and appreciate how culture shapes you and other individuals. This is a beneficial first step in growing in intercultural awareness and competence.

Be sure to also include: 

• Your own personal thoughts on this aspect of your cultural heritage and how your perspective has been shaped by others.
• Ideas that were shared by your interviewee and how they relate to and differ from your own ideas.
• Takeaways from this interview and your own reflection of this aspect of your cultural heritage

Week 3 Deliverables

1. Personal Moral Code Essay

• Write a short essay of at least 1½ pages.
• Identify your Personal Moral Code (the guiding principle or motto that shapes your decisions).
• Address the following questions:
  • What is your Personal Moral Code?
  • How did you develop it?
  • Who influenced it?
  • When or under what circumstances does it fail?
• Use insights from class discussions and, if helpful, the optional reading The Meaning of Life – Intro by Steve Pavlina.

2. Exploring Cultural Heritage Paper

• Conduct an interview with a family member or someone who shares your cultural heritage.
• Prepare and ask 5–7 interview questions about your shared cultural background.
• Write a 2-page, double-spaced paper (300–500 words minimum) that includes:
  • A description of an aspect of your cultural heritage.
  • Customs, traditions, values, symbols, or cultural practices associated with that heritage.
  • Your personal reflections on how your cultural identity has been shaped.
  • A comparison between your perspectives and those of the interviewee.
  • Key lessons and takeaways from the interview regarding your cultural heritage and intercultural understanding.