The Odyssey Final Project:
Cultural Values in Stories
Throughout this unit we have discussed how the actions of the characters in The Odyssey reflect
the values of Ancient Greece where Homer was writing. For your final project you are going to
choose a modern day culture and a story from the culture. You will read the story or myth
and consider how the actions of the characters in the story reflect the values of the culture. If
you or your family is from a country other than the United States, this would a great opportunity
to use your cultural knowledge about that country!
Follow the steps below for a successful project:
Research:
1. Choose a country from today that you are interested in researching:
_______________________
2. Google the words “(your country) cultural values” or try “(your country) values”.
For example if I was researching South Africa I would type in “South African
cultural values” or “South African values”
3. Look through the results and find a source that looks reliable (NOT Wikipedia) that
describes the values in the country that you chose
4. Print out one of the sites describing the values (make sure to write down the source)
5. Google the words “(your country) folk tale”
6. Look through the results and find a story that is one to two pages long (remember if it is
too short you may not see multiple values from that country)
7. Print out the story (make sure to write down the source!)
8. Read the cultural values source and highlight or underline any word that is a value of that
country
9. Read the story and highlight or take notes in the margin on any section that shows a value
of that country
Paper:
1. Start your paper by introducing the country you chose and at least three cultural values
that you identified in the story.
For example, if you were studying South Africa you might write “South
African culture strongly values tribal identity, family, and music.”
a. Include the title, author (if one is known), and a brief summary of your story (3-4
sentences maximum).
b. Include one sentence connecting the values of the culture to the story
2. Include three more paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on one of the cultural
values that you identified and explain how that value is shown in your story. The
paragraphs should have specific examples from the story.
3. Include a concluding paragraph describing how stories can provide insights into cultures
and their values.
4. Check out the rubric on the back of this page to see how you will be graded.
Cultural Values in Stories Project Rubric
(10 points each)
 Includes three cultural values, the title, author, and a brief summary of a story from that
country
 One paragraph explaining how the first value is shown in the story
 One paragraph explaining how the second value is shown in the story
 One paragraph explaining how the third value is shown in the story
 Includes a concluding paragraph describing how stories can provide insights into cultures
and their values.
 Uses evidence from the story
 Uses correct spelling and grammar
 The essay is well organized around a main idea and all paragraphs support the main idea
and each paragraph is constructed around a central idea
 Story and values of the country are attached to the essay
 Story and values are highlighted and properly cited