Nitza Hidalgo's Three Levels of Culture

 Nitza Hidalgo's Three Levels of Culture 

Instructions: 

Use 12-point font, times new roman. Your paper should be at least a minimum of 700 words (for example, that is a minimum of 3 FULL pages, typed, double spaced, not including pictures). 

Consider the following questions. Write your responses to the questions in your document. Be sure to elaborate appropriately so that you complete an assignment of sufficient length and depth. 

Directions 

How do you think you define yourself and others? Using Nitza Hidalgo's "three levels of culture" described below spend some time reflecting on your own perception of how you define yourself to fill in with as much detail/description as possible. Sit and really think how you or your family view traditions, what is held dear, what is accepted as a norm or how your family fits into a larger culture/society as a whole 

The Concrete: This is the most visible and tangible level of culture, and includes the most surface-level dimensions such as clothes, music, food, games, and so on. These aspects of culture are often those that provide the focus for multicultural "festivals" or "celebrations." 

a)

b)

c)

The Behavioral: This level of culture clarifies how we define our social roles, the language we speak, and our approaches to nonverbal communication. The Behavioral level reflects our values. Aspects to be listed in this category 

  

include language, gender roles, family structure, political affiliation, and other items that situation us organizationally in society.

a)

b) 

c)

The Symbolic: This level of culture includes our values and beliefs. It can be abstract, but it is most often the most important level in terms of how individuals define themselves. It includes value systems, customs, spirituality, religion, worldview, beliefs, mores, and so on.

a)

b)

c) 

Questions based on answers above: 

1. Whenyoumeetsomebody,whichofthoseitems(underanyofthe categories) do you use to understand them culturally? 

2. Is your attempt to understand others culturally consistent with how you want to be viewed and understood? 

3. What forces in our society might contribute to our simplification of others' cultures, even though we don't want to be defined simplistically ourselves? 

This assignment requires synthesis of course information, creativity on your part, analysis of fashion, and some investigative research.