Shared Customs, Values, and Beliefs Presentations

When we examine different cultures, at first glance, they can seem quite different but the more we learn, the more similarities we can see. While cultures might express themselves differently, they share similar customs, values, and beliefs.

For this assignment, you will select a unique society (i.e. the cultural groups, national groups, and/or political groups) or religion. Once a society or religion is chosen, you will prepare a booklet, comparing three customs, values, and beliefs that are shared across the societies/religions you selected. Refer to the list of examples below for ideas.

Examples of customs, values, and beliefs:

• Creation myths
• The female divine
• The male divine
• Trickster myths
• Sacred places
• Ancestor worship
• The flood narrative
• Contemplative or ascetic traditions
• Mandate of heaven vs. divine right of kings
• Emperor worship
• Saints, prophets, and holy men
• Marriage traditions
• Kinship systems

• Approach to law and justice
• Ritual sacrifice
• Belief in afterlife/death rituals
• Healing/medicine
• Military technology
• Popular entertainment
• Taboos
• Food
• Agricultural practices
• Pets
• Clothing
• Entertainment
• Courting rituals/practices

 Choose whether you want to make a video or a booklet. The video or booklet should include the following components:

• Define the custom, value, or belief.
• Compare and contrast the custom, value, and/or belief across two (or three) societies/religions.
• Show how the custom, value, and/or belief influenced your selected societies/religions.
• Provide appropriately cited and referenced primary sources (in this case documents created by the selected societies/religions to illustrate the concepts. The reference list must be included at the end of your booklet or at the end of your video).

If you choose to make a video, In your video, you must cover all the requirements of the assignment.