“Exploring Subcultures: A Prewriting Exercise”

FIRST STEP: CHOOSING A TOPIC 
This semester we’ve explored a number of subcultures (or unique cultures) that resist what might be called the dominant or main-stream culture in America.  Your task for your final essay is to choose a subculture (or unique culture) and examine its characteristics, shared mind-sets, values and how it may resist the dominant culture.   For this essay, you should consider a subculture that interests you, or perhaps one you are part of.  Here’s a list of subcultures related to some of our readings:
Pow Wow culture 
or 
AIM  (The American Indian Movement)
PREWRITE ASSIGNMENT:
Below are a series of questions.  Take your time and write a paragraph or more about each.  The idea is to get thoughts down on paper. Do your best to allow your writing to flow without interruption.  Some of the questions you may not yet be able to answer untilyou investigate further; on those do your best to theorize or “think-out-loud” about possible answers.
1.  What subclultre did you choose to write about?  Discuss what drew you to the topic and why you have chosen it. Try and be as detailed as possible.  Describe elements or aspects of the subculture that interests you.  (1-2 pages)
2. What values unite the culture? (1 paragraph)
3. What are some of its secret rules?  If you don’t know yet, do you have any suspicions? (1 paragraph)
4. What aspects of the subculture resist main-stream ideas? (1 paragraph)
5. Is the culture political?  Gendered?  (1 paragraph)
6. Does it have a seperate lingo that defines some of it’s values? (1 paragraph)
7. Is there a shared mind-set? (1 paragraph)
7.  What outside sources might help you?  (eg. Psychological profiles, history of the group, interviews) (1 paragraph)
8.  What are possible arguments you can make about the subculture  (Skaters comprise a rebellious and dedicated faction of   enthusiasts who span all age groups)? (1 paragraph)
View Rubric
Some Rubric (2)
Criteria Ratings Pts
Description of criterion
100 pts
Full Marks
An exceptional response that reflects a high-number of concrete and specific elements. Response reflects insightful commentary which reflects a high-degree of critical-thinking about the topic at hand.
70 pts
No Marks
Responds to prompt in a farily complete way, using some details and specific description to answer questions. Response reflects thoughtful commentary and focused attention to the topic at hand.