UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG
UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG
SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC231 Personality, 2024
Human Universals in an Australian Context
Due: In Week 7, Friday 12th April 5pm.
Weighting: 20% of your final mark
Length: 1500 words maximum (No 10% leeway)
Background:
This assignment seeks to explore the rich tapestry of human experience, illuminating the myriad ways in which cultural contexts shape and define our interactions, beliefs, and practices. While certain human universals, such as kinship systems, gender norms, and conflict resolution methods, permeate across cultures, their expressions and enactments can be remarkably diverse. In this subject, you have lectures touching on human universals and how a shared evolved human nature can manifest differently in different ecological and cultural conditions.
This assignment invites you to delve into the specific ways that an Indigenous Australian group (or Indigenous Australian groups more broadly) and your own cultural group represent these human universals. If you are Indigenous, you could compare to another cultural group of your choice.
Objective:
Your task is to compare and contrast the two groups on a human universal or universals of your choice. These domains could include, but are not limited to, kinship systems, gender roles and norms, rites of passage, conflict resolution, and economic systems. There is an example list below. It is up to you how many domains to compare you could go deeply into one domain or you could split the paper into more domains. It would be prudent, however, to limit yourself to a small domain or domains to allow enough words to be allocated to properly explain each domain.
Structure:
Introduction paragraph. Introduce the domain(s) you have chosen to explore and why it or they should be considered a universal in homo sapiens. Present a brief overview of the Indigenous Australian group and your own group on this universal. Although there is diversity in Indigenous groups, you may also compare general trends in Australian Indigenous groups as a whole vs your own culture if you have having trouble finding enough information about a specific Indigenous people/nation on the human universal of interest.
Discuss how each group approaches the chosen domain, providing an exploration of their practices, beliefs, and structures. Highlight both the similarities and differences in their approaches, providing specific examples and insights. Include a list of references in APA style at the end of your essay.
Example introduction paragraph (Note: this is an example to help you understand the task and not necessarily ideal in all respects)
This essay delves into the realm of religion and spirituality, investigating how these cultural facets manifest within Indigenous Australian and White Australian societies. Indigenous Australian cultures are characterized by intricate Dreamtime narratives, where spirituality intertwines with daily life through rituals, ceremonies, and a deep connection to ancestral spirits and the land. In contrast, White Australian culture, historically influenced by Christianity, has witnessed a decline in religious adherence and a shift towards secularism. This essay seeks to explore the distinctive spiritual practices within these two cultural contexts, shedding light on the ways in which these societies connect with the divine, their ancestors, and the natural world. Through a comparative analysis, I aim to uncover both the striking similarities and nuanced differences in their approaches to spirituality, providing valuable insights into the cultural expressions of these universal human experiences.
PurposeThe aim of this assignment is to have you reflect on similarity and diversity across human populations. In creating this assignment, the focus has been left broad to allow you to pursue your own areas of interest. This also creates a challenge as you will need to use your initiative to come up with the exact focus or foci of your assignment. Its possible you might start on a topic and realise you might not be able to find enough information on that topic. If you are unsure if your approach is appropriate, discuss with your tutor before the submission deadline.
Specific Domains to Consider:
You may consider comparing and contrasting any aspect of a culture that you may argue is a human universal. You can consider using Browns list of human universals found here https://condor.depaul.edu/mfiddler/hyphen/humunivers.htmHowever, to help you on your journey, here are some examples that you might consider using. There is some overlap between them.
1. Kinship and Family Structures
Kinship and family structures universally provide a framework for social and relational interactions within a community. However, the definition, roles, and importance of family can differ, with some cultures emphasizing biological connections while others might prioritize spiritual or communal ties. Many Indigenous Australian cultures have complex kinship systems that impact social behaviour.
2. Language and Communication
Language universally facilitates communication and the preservation of culture, yet it can manifest through varied dialects, languages, and non-verbal communication forms, reflecting the unique histories, environments, and beliefs of different cultures. You might consider things like oral traditions, or how language is impacted by kinship structures.
3. Gender Roles and Norms
Gender roles and norms universally define expectations and social structures within cultures. However, the specific roles, expectations, and social norms related to gender can vary, reflecting different cultural, social, and sometimes religious beliefs and structures.
4. Religion and Spirituality
Religion and spirituality are universal in providing a framework for understanding existence and morality. However, the beliefs, practices, and structures of religions can vary widely, reflecting different cultural narratives, moral codes, and existential understandings.
5. Governance and Leadership
Governance and leadership are universal in organizing and guiding communities. However, the forms, structures, and practices of governance and leadership can differ, reflecting varied political ideologies, cultural beliefs, and social structures.
6. Rites of Passage and Life Stages
Rites of passage and life stage recognitions are universally significant in marking lifes milestones. However, the ceremonies, beliefs, and practices associated with these rites can differ, reflecting varied cultural, spiritual, and social beliefs and structures.
7. Art and Expression
Art and expression universally serve as mediums for communication, cultural preservation, and self-expression. However, the materials, forms, and symbolic meanings of art can differ, reflecting varied cultural aesthetics, histories, and values. You might consider questions of the social role that art plays.
8. Economic Systems
Economic systems universally manage and distribute resources within societies. However, the structures, practices, and values of economic systems can vary, reflecting different cultural beliefs, resource availabilities, and social priorities.
9. Education and Knowledge Transmission
Education and knowledge transmission are universally vital for societal development and cultural continuity. However, the methodologies, content, and structures of education and knowledge transmission can differ, reflecting varied cultural values, knowledge, and societal needs.
10. Conflict Resolution and Justice
Conflict resolution and justice mechanisms are universally essential for societal harmony and order. However, the practices, structures, and beliefs guiding conflict resolution and justice can differ, reflecting varied cultural norms, social structures, and moral beliefs.
11. Land and Environment Relationships
Relationships with the land and environment are universally foundational for survival and cultural identity. However, the beliefs, practices, and structures guiding these relationships can differ, reflecting varied cultural narratives, environmental contexts, and survival strategies.
12. Health and Well-being
Health and well-being practices are universally developed to maintain life quality and societal welfare. However, the beliefs, practices, and structures guiding health and well-being can differ, reflecting varied cultural knowledge, environments, and social structures.
13. Social Organization and Community Life
Social organization and community life are universally foundational for societal functioning and individual welfare. However, the structures, roles, and practices of social organizations and community life can differ, reflecting varied cultural beliefs, social needs, and communal structures.
14. Ceremonies and Celebrations
Ceremonies and celebrations universally mark significant occasions and shared experiences. However, the forms, practices, and meanings of ceremonies and celebrations can differ, reflecting varied cultural beliefs, histories, and social structures.
15. Moral and Ethical Beliefs
Ethical and moral principles universally shape actions and societal standards across cultures. Yet, the distinct moral values, ethical convictions, and related practices can vary, mirroring diverse cultural stories, religious tenets, and social frameworks.
Criteria Fail Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction
Depth of Analysis 25% Assignment does not address the chosen human universal(s). Demonstrates a limited understanding of the chosen human universal(s), with an analysis that lacks depth, detail, or clear examples. Insights are minimal or unclear. Presents a satisfactory understanding of the chosen human universal(s), providing an analysis of both groups but lacking depth or detail. Offers some relevant examples and insights. Displays a strong understanding of the chosen human universal(s), offering a detailed analysis of both groups. Provides examples and insights that contribute to the comparison. Demonstrates a profound understanding of the chosen human universal(s), providing an in-depth analysis of both Indigenous Australian and the other cultural group's approaches. Presents a comprehensive exploration with rich examples and insights.
Clarity of Comparison
25% Assignment does not include a comparison of the cultural groups. Comparison is unclear or lacks detail, making it challenging to identify similarities and differences. The structure is confusing. Provides a somewhat clear comparison of the two cultural groups, but may lack detail or clarity in highlighting similarities and differences. The structure is somewhat logical. Presents a clear comparison of the two cultural groups on the chosen domain(s) with adequate highlighting of similarities and differences. The comparison is logically structured. Effectively compares and contrasts the two cultural groups on the chosen domain(s), highlighting both similarities and differences. The comparison is clear and logically structured.
Writing
20% Writing is extremely unclear and incoherent. Shows limited writing clarity and coherence, with frequent issues in sentence or paragraph structure that make the paper challenging to read. Displays satisfactory writing clarity and coherence, but may have occasional issues with sentence or paragraph structure that hinder overall readability. Exhibits good writing clarity and coherence, with mostly well-structured sentences and paragraphs. Ideas generally flow smoothly. Demonstrates excellent writing clarity and coherence, with well-structured sentences and paragraphs. Ideas flow smoothly, making the paper easy to follow.
APA Style
10% Assignment does not adhere to APA style guidelines. Fails to follow APA style guidelines consistently, resulting in a lack of proper formatting, citations, or references. Struggles to follow APA style guidelines, with frequent errors in formatting, citations, or references that significantly affect the overall adherence to APA style. Somewhat follows APA style guidelines, but there are notable errors in formatting, citations, or references that impact the overall adherence to APA style. Accurately follows APA style guidelines for formatting, citations, and references throughout the paper. All sources are properly cited and referenced.
Use of Relevant and Reliable Sources
10% Does not use any sources or references. Uses some sources but largely relies on inadequate or irrelevant sources, undermining the credibility of the argument. Does not consider the reliability of the sources Uses a limited number of sources, some of which are not reliable and does not consider the reliability of these sources. Uses a variety of sources that are mostly reliable. Considers the reliability of the sources. Utilizes a good variety of relevant sources to support the analysis. The sources are mostly appropriate and contribute to the argument. Shows evidence of significant reading and scholarship on topic matter.
Uniqueness of Approach/Depth of Scholarship 10% N/A (i.e. you wont fail this criterion even if you do the most obvious topics) Selects low-hanging fruit topics and doesnt provide much more than common knowledge on the topic Offers a somewhat unique approach, but still selects topics that are fairly common and commonly chosen by other students Provides a moderately unique approach that distinguishes the paper from typical topics chosen by other students. Demonstrates a highly unique approach that sets the paper apart from most other students' topics, offering a fresh perspective or lesser-explored aspect of the chosen human universal(s).
Additional Marking Information: So we really want to see: (a) A good understanding of the human universal(s); why it is a human universal; a good understanding of how it is represented in each two cultures; a comparison of relevant similarities and differences between the cultures; good writing and good research. With good research, this might require going to the library and reading *gasp* books that touch on the topic. We understand that on some of the topics, extensive research might be hard to find and you can still get a decent mark for this criterion by relying on internet sources (such as government websites), although sources like Joe Rogan Experience would not really be acceptable and youd have to go deeper than that to investigate the claims.
With the last criterion of uniqueness, we have included this as like a difficulty criterion. Think about the sport of diving. The divers are scored on not just how well they executed the dive but also the difficulty of the dive. You cant fail this criterion even if you do the most obvious topics, but if you do a topic that is obvious that are like the first things that come to mind when we think of cultural comparisons (e.g. spirituality, relationship to the land), and especially if you just regurgitate the obvious stuff, youd probably get a lower mark for this criterion. We have included this criterion to reward those students who go out of their way to do something excellent if you want to spend a week in the library reading scholarly books about some obscure topic, youll get rewarded for that on that criterion.
