Journal 3 - American Identity

Purpose: to generate ideas for the analysis essay, to examine the core values of American culture with the goal of analyzing how the values influence our behavior and vice versa.

Directions: 

Note: The journals are intended to be a way for you to explore ideas that you might later wish to refine in a paper or a discussion.  I will not censor these journals in any way, nor will I grade them on content or grammar (though, like the seminars, they must be coherent and display some measure of critical thinking about the question at hand). You do not have to answer all the questions, nor do you have to confine yourself to these questions. Write about whatever is on your mind. 

Write a page or two about your thoughts on what it means to have an identity as an American.

Some questions to consider: 

• What are some of the rituals or behaviors that you consider to be uniquely American?
• What do you think are the core values of American culture?
• To what extent do you agree with those values? 
• What forces have shaped your views about your identity as an American, or as a resident of America if you are not American? 
• Have you ever lived or travelled outside the US? If so, how has that influenced your views about what it means to be an American? 
• What other thoughts come to mind when you hear the word "American"?