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the basics


	oral introductions Students name and discuss the cultural "stuff" they see as their choices and givens, from 1) landscape design, 2) food presentation, 3) clothing & accessories, 4) transport modes, and 5) buildings & their interior design. written introductions Students write essays or CVs (résumés), each introducing oneself by the above five areas. Copy to all class peers. After discussion, revise for instructor to correct grammar, format, punctuation. Give cleaned-up, final copies to all class peers. first essays Students write about class peers whose cultural "stuff" best shows key issues in theirs. Copy all peers. After discussion, rewrite to enlarge for new quotes, direct or indirect. After instructor corrects, students revise and send all first essays as a batch to another class – preferably to a neighboring ethnicity, race, religion, or nationality. swapping essays Exchange batches of essays by paper mail, Internet, or in-person guest couriers. next, and next essays In responding to outside group essays, students discuss and respond by new essays, always citing 1) one's own cultural "stuff," 2) class peers', and 3) the other group's. "Stuff" enlarges to include literature, film, music, and each culture's other optional arts. instructor obligations Each instructor models frequent referral to students and their cultural "stuff" – home and abroad. Each also refers to fellow instructors, and one's own outside reading.