Order instructions

INTRODUCTION:  Encuentro Cultural: Latinos en nuestra comunidad. There are over 50 million Latinos/people of Hispanic decent in the United States, but what do we know about them/us? The objective of this activity, and subsequent Encuentro Cultural assignments in our first year Spanish courses, is to raise awareness about the members of our community, our family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, entertainers, etc. This assignment is intended to foster an engaging cross-cultural encounter that promotes contact with Spanish speakers or with Spanish-speaking cultures under circumstances that promote meaningful, positive interaction.  Please review the rubric before completing the assignment.

Step 1 (Research) Choose a geographical location. It can be the place you are from, a nearby city you are interested in or the place where you currently live. You must be able to visit this place (if it is not the town you live in) for the purpose of this assignment.  Collect information about this town/city/area that includes information such as census data; historical information; economic information and statistics; education, other points of interest (historical, cultural, social, economical, etc.).  Be sure to keep track of the sources you use for your research and cite them at the end of your project.

Step 2 (Research) In this step you will gather information specifically about Latinos or people of Hispanic descent in the area you chose. You will research basic information that includes percentages of Latino populations in general, percentages in the school system, ages and economical situation, historical presence, places of origin/ethnicity/nationality, languages spoken, etc.  In addition, you will seek out any other information that can shed light onto the current social situation.  Are there any Cultural centers, cultural activities, community centers, etc. that serve these communities?  Are there areas that are more/less welcoming currently or historically for Hispanics/Latinos?  How are these areas recognized/acknowledged?  How does the research you gathered about the town in general compare with that which you have gathered specifically regarding the Hispanic/Latino community?  Be sure to keep track of and cite your sources.

Step 3 (Field Visit) Now that you know a little more about these communities in your area, you will choose to visit either (a) a business or (b) an organization that serves the Spanish-speaking community.  During your visit, as well as observing and analyzing what you see, hear and sense; take advantage of any opportunities you have to engage with others (in Spanish or English).  Ask questions.  Seek answers.  Collect information (verbal, written, etc.) Below you will find some guiding questions for which ever of the two “field visit” options you choose:

(a) Guiding questions for visiting a business that serves Hispanics/Latinos (you do not need to limit yourself to these questions): Are there any stores/businesses specifically geared to serve this population? If there are, choose one and visit it. What products can you find? Are there any differences with the stores you usually shop at? Are the products the same? What do you know about those products? Are the products intended for the Latino community, to non-Latinos, both? Who in the Latino community will buy these products? (Remember not everyone in the Spanish-speaking world eats salsa and tortillas!) If there are no such shops, can you find a supermarket with a “Hispanic aisle”? What do they have there? Does this aisle have products unknown to you? What do you know about those products? Is there someone you can speak with in the business that can give you more information about the community they serve and the products they sell? Are the products generally purchased by the Latino community, by non- Latinos, both? Do you see/hear evidence of Spanish language use?  Is it expected/accepted that everyone speak English/Spanish?  How comfortable do you/would you feel speaking each?

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(b) Guiding questions for visiting an organization that serves Hispanics/Latinos (you do not need to limit yourself to these questions): Who does the organization serve?  What services do they offer?  Why and how do they include the Hispanic/Latino community for their services? How does serving this community fit within their mission?  How do they reach the community and communicate their services? How do they make them feel welcome/comfortable? What do you see, sense, hear in the setting that help establish this as a safe/inclusive space (or not) for Hispanics/Latinos?  Is there someone you can speak with in the organization that can give you more information about the community they serve, it’s needs/challenges/strengths/etc.? Do you see/hear evidence of Spanish language use?  Is it expected/accepted that everyone speak Spanish/English?  How comfortable do you/would you feel speaking each?

Step 4. (Analysis and Presentation) You will choose to either create a pamphlet or write a paper that includes the following:

• presentation of the results of your research for steps 1 and 2
• your reactions, observations, reflections, questions,comparisons and analysis of your research for steps 1 and 2
• a detailed description of the business/organization you visited in step 3
• a detailed description of who you interacted with and what you saw, heard, did, and said during step 3
• a detailed analysis of your your field visit in step 3
• reflections/analysis about your overall experience with the Encuentro Cultural. Some questions to consider in your overall analysis (you don’t need to be limited to these questions):
• • What did you learn from the project?
  • What did you expect going into this project and how did the outcome compare with your expectations?
  • Where there any surprises/realizations/confirmations?
  • How has this experience changed your view of your chosen community?
  • What advice would you give other students approaching this assignment?
  • What would you do differently next time and how could you improve on this experience?
  • Did this activity generate any further questions for you?
  • Do you plan to visit the organization or business again?  If so, will you approach your visit in the same way?
• a list of the sources you used for your research

If you choose to create a pamphlet, include pictures, drawings, tables, etc., for a more visually stimulating and dynamic presentation.  If you choose to write a standard paper, feel free to include images and tables as well.  Both options should include cited sources.