Inquiry 1SS3 GUIDELINE # 1: ANALYSIS OF THE BAFA BAFA EXPERIENCE

PURPOSE: The purpose of this assignment is to help you develop your writing skills and to help you think about things in an analytical rather than a descriptive way (and to know the difference between the two). The exercise also prompts you to move beyond the simulation to consider the breadth of the course theme and to begin considering a topical area that you would be interested in exploring.

GUIDELINES:

Part 1: The question you are to consider is:

How does the Bafa Bafa experience relate to how we represent, judge, understand and communicate with those who are different than us?

Frame your answer as an analysis of social processes and structures rather than a description of personal experiences. Limit your response to about 500 words

Before writing your analysis, you will want to reflect on your experiences during the Bafa Bafa simulation and to consider your observations of others during the simulation. You may want to consider the following questions:

1. What assumptions about "others" are reflected in the design of the Bafa Bafa simulation?
2. What did you learn through the simulation?
   1. The learning may be about yourself, about others, and about social processes and structures.
   2. If you learned nothing, please explain.
3. What questions has the simulation raised for you?

Part 2:(will not be marked)

Write a paragraph of approximately 150 words providing an initial description of a possible topic for your Inquiry research paper. The topic must be set within the theme of the course as described in the framed question in the course outline. It is also important that your topic be of personal and /or academic interest to you and your world.

Try to critically think about the Bafa Bafa simulation as a way to generate your topic and understand the course theme and question. Your topic may easily flow out of the Bafa Bafa experience, especially if it deals with inter-cultural or gender differences, or certain other features of "otherness". However, you are encouraged to consider a broad range of issues related to personal and social identity and "otherness". In addition to the cultural and gender aspects of ?otherness' illustrated in Bafa Bafa, you might also consider issues in age, disability, sexual orientation, class, etc. Consider whether the Bafa Bafa simulation stimulates any ideas for you about these topic.

If you find it somewhat difficult or undesirable to generate a topic based on your Bafa Bafa experience and reflection, state the reasons for this and then proceed to develop a topic which you would like to do for your research paper.

You should think of this part of the exercise as an opportunity to start thinking about the topic for your inquiry project (and research paper) and for beginning a dialogue with your instructor and with other students. Developing a topic early in the term that is right for you is an important step in the successful completion of the course.

GRADING GUIDELINES: The following general guidelines will be used to mark your assignment, though the academic judgement of your instructor will also be used.

1. Clarity of thought and writing (for help, consult Section 5 of Hubbuch)
2. Focus on analysis rather than description (for help, consult Section 1 of Hubbuch: ie. inferences & judgements rather than facts)
3. Quality of insights gained about self, others or the simulation

• An "A" paper is one that is very clear and concise. It treats the experience and its description primarily as data or evidence on which to make inferences, structure an argument and even draw some preliminary conclusions. An A paper is primarily analytical. Such papers deal directly with the major question that was posed in the assignment and contribute to the answer creatively.
• A "B" paper will be somewhat analytical but will likely include large sections of descriptive material. These papers will tend to focus more on the self's experience than the experience of the (theoretical) "other". However, to be in the B range some effort has to be made to step beyond the experience and think things through more analytically.
• Generally, "C" papers will be almost purely descriptive or have some problems of clarity, either in terms of muddled thinking or muddled writing.
• A "D" paper has serious problems in both clarity of writing/thinking and does not address the question in an analytical way.
• An "F" paper fails to meet the basic criteria of the assignment.

DUE: Week 4, February 2nd, 2000 (Late penalty in effect)

LENGTH: approximately 500 words (part 1) + 150 words (part 2)

WEIGHTING: 10% of final grade

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