Description
Part 1. In 3-5 pages, choose a Microculture and examine its basic structure, members, history and definitions. The page count for this assignment does not include the title page or reference page(s). Written assignments are expected to conform to the requirements of APA style.
Part 2. This 10+ page paper is a continuation of Part 1. That is, the 10 page count includes the writing of Part 1, but not the title page or references page(s). In this version of the paper, students will further research and describe, analyze, and draw conclusions on the Microculture of their choice’s members, invisible boundaries, belief and symbolic system(s), and its place within the larger culture. Students should utilize one of the anthropological approaches discussed in class and readings to examine, dissect, and attempt to understand that microculture. APA format required.
Guiding Questions:
What is the Microculture? Describe it thoroughly.
Where is it found?
What is its history?
Who are its members?
What are the criteria for membership?
What are some identifying characteristics (of its members and the group as a whole)?
What is the meaning behind any materials unique to this group?
What is the meaning behind any language unique to this group?
How does the microculture practice cultural transmission?
What can you research on this Microculture tell you about its members' beliefs, life goals, roles and responsibilities, and perceptions (and anything else)?
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Running head: HISPANIC MICROCULTURE
Hispanic Microculture
Student Name
Institution Affiliation
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HISPANIC MICROCULTURE
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Microculture
In most cultures, there exists a group of people who differ from one another based on
custom and practices within the given societal culture. The groups form as minorities, subculture
or co-culture. Hence microculture refers to a group of people that share the same values, beliefs,
and behaviors, possess a similar history and use verbal and nonverbal symbol system. However,
microculture varies from the dominating culture. Most of the microculture setups consists of
individual who shares similar aspects but separates from the larger microculture due to
experiences, traits, values, and histories. Therefore, microculture entails different groups that could
be categorized by age, class, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, size, and occupation. Microculture
differentiates from the lager culture mainly because of race and ethnicity. In the United States,
about 70% is made up of whites. Thus, African Americans, Hispanic, and Hmong form
microcultural groups. Microculture also differs from the dominant culture by language or religion.
For example, the Muslims, Christians, Protestants, Catholics, and Jews form the other microculture
groups. Another category of microculture emerges from behavioral practices. People under the
influence of drugs are said to belong to drug culture, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion,
but this is due to their drug usage. The transgender could also be regarded as a microculture due
to their sexual orientation. Microculture develops their language which they can use when they are
not using the accepted language within the dominating culture. Micro cultural groups often have
less power compared to the dominating group whose influence is legal, political, economic, and
religious. Several factors differentiates a microculture and a dominant culture. First and foremost,
the members of the group have physical and cultural traits that differentiate them from others. The
most straightforward of them are skin color and sex. Secondly, language and dress codes
differentiates micro cultural groups. The membership to micro cultural is not done willingly. One
does not choose to belong to a particular microculture group but instead they are born into their
HISPANIC MICROCULTURE
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micro cultural group. Thus, people don’t determine their race, ethnicity or gender, but they can
choose the religion they prefer although many are born in a particular religion which they find
difficult to abandon. The members of a micro cultural setup participate in endogamy. Endogamy
entails the marriage of members within the same group. In the dominant culture marriage outside
the group is highly discouraged. Many believe that endogamy strengthens ties, ensures the wealth
of family has been conserved through inheritance and leads to sustained family culture as well as
group traditions. The Hispanic people have unique celebrations one of them is the Dia de Muertos,
which is a celebration of the day of the dead. The day they owner their deceased relatives and
friends who they believe return from the afterlife to join them in the festivities. They set up colorful
altares in symbolism for the same. The New Year’s Eve which they also refer to as Nochevieja.
Like in any other setups during the New Year’s Eve. Families get together to celebrate, but in the
Hispanic world, there is something extra taking place. Every one of the family members eats 12
grapes which symbolize prosperous months ahead. There is also Dia de Reyes an extra ordinary
celebration especially for children as it marks the end of the Christmas season. There also exist
food tradition amongst Hispanics.Tapas are iconic in Spanish, they form the variety of food
including snacks Tapas were served in bars as appreciations, but with time people became
accustomed to them, and they became part of the Hispanic tradition. Tamales is another Mexican
tradition food which is made up of corn dough filled with meat and chilies and wrapped in banana
leaves. The Hispanic people also represents their culture in their architectural designs where. Many
artworks were created for th...
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