CULTURAL BELIEFS AND PRACTICES AT THE TIME OF DEATH

In her article, “11 fascinating funeral traditions from around the globe,” Kate Torgovnick May says, “funeral practices are deeply ingrained in culture and, around the globe, hugely varied traditions reflect a wide spread of beliefs and values.” Studying a group’s beliefs and practices at the time of death reveals a wealth of information about that culture as a whole.

TASKS:

  1. Choose a civilization, culture, or religious sect from any time period. Examples of cultures you may choose are as follows: Egyptian, Mayan, Aztec, Viking, French Cajun, European (catacombs), African, specific American ethnicities, etc. If you choose a group other than the ones listed, be sure to ask for my approval.
  1. Research that group’s cultural beliefs and practices at the time of death. Consider:

  1. cultural views on death and dying
  2. funeral practices/death ceremonies
  3. burial rituals
  4. signs/practices of respect toward deceased family member
  5. beliefs of after life
  6. additional relevant information

  1. Collect your findings and tell the story in a 4-5 minute presentation. For your presentation, you will be using Google Slides. Your presentation should include at least 10 slides and incorporate both text and pictures. Organize your information logically. Know the content thoroughly. Cite your sources in MLA format.
  1. Present to class. Read the presentation rubric for grading information.

CULTURAL BELIEFS AND PRACTICES Presentation Rubric

40 / 26 / 13 / 0
Organization / Student presents information in logical, interesting sequence which audience can follow. / Student presents information in logical sequence which audience can follow. / Audience has difficulty following presentation because student jumps around. / Audience cannot understand presentation because there is no sequence of information.
Content Knowledge / Student demonstrates full knowledge with explanations and elaboration. / Student is at ease with content but fails to elaborate. / Student in uncomfortable with information and is able to answer only basic questions. / Student does not have grasp of information; student cannot answer questions about subject.
Visuals / Student used visuals to reinforce presentation. / Visuals related to text and presentation. / Student occasionally used visuals that rarely supported text and presentation. / Student used no visuals.
Mechanics / Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors. / Presentation has no more than two misspellings and/or grammatical errors. / Presentation had three to five misspellings and/or grammatical errors. / Presentation had six or more spelling and/or grammatical errors.
Delivery / Student used a clear voice and correct precise pronunciation of terms. Student did not read board word for word. / Student’s voice is clear. Student pronounces most words correctly. Student reads the board word for word occasionally. / Student incorrectly pronounces terms. Audience members have difficulty hearing presentation. Student mostly reads board word for word. / Student mumbles, incorrectly pronouncing terms. Audience members cannot hear presentation. Student reads board word for word.

Name:______Score:______/200