Culture Repair Projects
The Culture Repair Project asks you to analyze one of the assigned historical records of Asian practice, paying attention the interaction of the three elements of culture. You then draw on what you learned to write and/or draw a set of instructions that could be used to facilitate the similar activity described in the relevant scenario. You have three opportunities to complete a project, one for each unit; the two highest scores count towards your grade.
Step I: Researching a Scenario Activity
For the scenario activity that you choose for each project, you will either (A) visit a local event or site related to the practice or by (B) engage in something similar to that practice by yourself or with one or more others.
IMPORTANT: The scenario activity you chose to research should be one that you feel you would be interested enough to facilitate, which addresses the goal that the staff is trying to achieve, as articulated in the relevant scenario.
Option B: Daily Practice
If you choose this option:
- Read the description of the practice in the relevant scenario and gather information from the web links provided on the corresponding page of the schedule.
- Come up with some similar practice that you can do based on the information you've gathered, which you can do at the same time of day & location, either
* daily for 5-10 minutes;
* three times a week for 10-20 minutes; OR
* once a week for 60-90 minutes
For example, you could
- make a friction fire by yourself or with others, using some kind of chanting to motivate your actions (practice A in scenario 1a).
- learn a monologue from a favorite pre-modern play or historical novel, rehearsing it by yourself every day, and perform it for a friend if you wish (practice A, scenario 1b).
- create your own sculpture using the themes mentioned in practice B, scenario 1b, or some related religious theme, and show it to someone if you wish.
- schedule several sessions to tell a favorite story of divine powers to friend(s) &/or family (practice C, scenario 1b).
CAUTION: If you decide to show or share you practice with someone else, make sure they will be respectful of your efforts.
Use Planning Worksheet I (MS Word/PDF) to help you plan; if asked for more detail, return it ASAP.
As you do your chosen practice, pay attention to what happens not only outwardly, but also ***to your own thoughts and mood.***
IMPORTANT: **start at least two weeks before** the corresponding Planning Worksheets II & III is due.