Assignment - Rural Life and Culture

For this assignment, you will be required to engage in some aspect of rural life or culture and write up a short paper (2-3 pages) about your experience.

Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Visiting a small town
• Attending a rural festival or event
• Attending a festival, event, or place in Columbus that incorporates rural life
• Attending a music event of rural music
• Interviewing a police officer, volunteer fire department member, elected official, or someone employed in government services from a rural community or county
• Visiting a businessperson from a small town
• Visiting a rural church
• Visiting a rural library
• Talking to a doctor or health care provider in a small town
• Visiting a farmers market
• Attending an event on campus or the community related to rural life, agriculture, or the environment
• Visiting a historical site or the Ohio Village at the Ohio Historical Connection
• Visiting a farm
• Visiting a farm or garden supply store
• Interviewing a rural mail carrier
• Attend a horse show

Structure of the Paper-

Introduction: First, write a clear introductory paragraph that describes your experience and what you did. PLEASE ATTACH SOME FORM OF EVIDENCE (programs, announcements, e-mails, business cards, etc.) OF YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your Experience: Next, provide more information about your experience. a) What were your impressions? b) Was your experience what you expected? c) Were you surprised in any way by what you observed or heard?

Links to Sociological Ideas: Next, choose two sociological concepts or theories covered in class and link them to your experience. Be sure to define the concepts or theories. For example, what are some social norms you observed at a local festival or farmers market? Note: You will not be expected to reflect on concepts or theories we have not covered (agriculture and environment are covered at the end of the semester).

Additionally, do NOT use the concepts "gemeinschaft" or "gesellschaft."

Discussion/conclusion: In this section, provide a short summary of what you learned. Did your experience support or conflict with your ideas or perceptions about rural life? In what way?

Style: PROOFREAD! Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Also be sure your paper follows formatting guidelines (see below) and has a title.