Essay

The way we relate to each other, and to other living things and even to objects, differs widely from individual to individual. Sometimes, looking at things through new eyes offers insight that people who are familiar don’t see. For example, international students may notice nuances about American culture that are, to Americans, so commonplace that we don’t recognize them.

In this paper, you will explore a relationship and share your insights and analysis. Your topic may be familiar, new to you, or a combination of the two. Investigate the relationship Native Americans have with the land. See if you can figure out why many American men process Arab men as homosexual, when they are (most often) really homosocial but heterosexual. What’s the relationship between time and culture? Religion and clothing? Words and music? Your relationship could also be more personal, or bridge the personal and the social. My dogs are my babies, so I might include cultural feelings on dogs as pets, plus examples from my relationship with my pups. The global role of soccer has been steady, but it continues to grow in popularity here; what is its relationship to American football? My dad, a musician, most certainly has a long-term relationship with his guitars. Many people have close relationships with their cars. but, for me, a car is a tool and a convenience, but not so much a personality. People who garden process food differently from people who eat fast food, as do people who are vegetarian or vegan from people who eat meat, or people who have religious abstentions to pork, or caffeine, or alcohol. Do countries, regions, or cities take on relationships that resemble relationships between family members (a bully big brother and bratty younger sister, perhaps)? Which family metaphor would you use to describe the relationship between US and Mexico? China and Hong Kong? Phoenix and Tucson? ASU and UofA? What about social constructs, like dating and the internet? Three-way relationships are more complicated but can be interesting topics: consider women, the moon and tides; or music, politics, and social change; or religion, ethnicity, and government. As with the first assignment, how personal this essay becomes is largely an author decision, However, regardless of the subject, your essay must analyze the relationship in focus and explain its significance. Our focus on public resonance remains through this essay. You should use examples, anecdotes, facts, expert testimony, and other other support to explain your perspective