In this assignment you will be explaining what happens when two cultures meet; specifically, you will be focusing on Europe and the Americas. Ultimately, at the end of the project you should answer the question, "How do knowledge and background affect perceptions and interactions?" A model of how the visual should look and be organized is provided below.

1. Title this square "The Americas Before 1491." Describe the early Americans' world view, attitudes, and knowledge of foreign places; their culture and values; and their technology [or lack of it]. Also, describe the reasons why the early Americans would not be inclined to explore distant places.
   
   
2. Title this square "Europe before 1491." Do the same as above, only for European nations, especially Spain, Portugal, England and Holland. You should also describe the reasons why the Europeans would want to and be able to explore.
   
   
3. Title this square "Interactions and Perceptions." This square should address how the cultures view and treat each other when they meet. Give examples of some of their interactions and perceptions, both positive and negative.
   
   
4. Title this square, "Changes and Consequences." This square should describe the changes both cultures went through after meeting the other. It should focus on immediate changes As well as long term consequences for the two cultures. Think of it as long term consequences for the two cultures. Think of it as " the good, the bad, and the ugly."
   
   
5. In the middle circle, write one or two paragraphs answering the question, "How do knowledge and background affect perceptions and interactions?" Use information from the rest of your visual to draw conclusions about the impact of exploration and culture collision.

   Finally, each square should have a visual -- either drawn or cut out from a magazine -- which represents the information in that box. Also, give your visual a creative title, NOT "When Cultures Collide Visual."

    

   You will be assessed on the accuracy and selection of your information, your use of specific examples and details to support your generalizations or conclusions, neatness and effort. A rubric is coming...

return to top of page

return to homework page

return home

last updated September 1, 1999