Learning About Cultural Differences in Families from our International Students

Abstract

Marriage and Family courses often use the life-course approach, interviewing older family members, to study the construction of families. This project allows students to explore the cross-cultural differences in the construction of families through interviews with international students on campus. The students work with a partner to prepare 8-10...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Family

Resource Type(s):

Assignment

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

This assignment is intended to help students connect with international students and learn about cultural practices in marriage and family life. Two class periods were devoted to the assignment. It has been used in marriage and family courses, but may also be useful in other courses such as introduction to sociology.

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Goal 1: Promote interaction between international and domestic students
2. Goal 2: Demonstrate an understanding of cultural views of marriage/family life
3. Goal 3: Compare cultural differences and similarities in marriage and family life

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Assessment 1: Students will complete an interview during one class period, provide a summary of the structured interview questions and answers, and reflect on the interaction
2. Assessment 2: Students will complete an analysis paper in which they make connections of what they have learned to course material
3. Assessment 3: Students will complete a reflection paper in which they compare the international student’s views with their own views