Cultural Project with Content Study in Culture
SEDC 32200/ 322FW/ 72200/722FW
(A) The assessment tool or description of the assignment
Rationale: Two components of teaching are 1) knowing the content and 2) communicating the
content. Therefore, the goal of the cultural project is to prepare candidates in these areas by
having them complete a content study in culture (knowing the content) (ACTFL 2) and a unit
plan with 10 lesson plans (communicating the content).
Task:
The content study in culture requires candidates to write a report in the target language (ACTFL
1) that
1) Reports the candidates’ research about a topic that shows the target culture as a system in
which cultural perspectives are reflected through practice and products (ACTFL 2a); and
2) Reports the candidates’ interpretation and synthesis of ideas and critical issues from literary
and other cultural text that represent the historical and contemporary works of major authors
(ACTFL 2c).
Topic: Candidates’ topic must be related to the unit theme/ lessons developed for the cultural
project.
Content Study of Culture Paper Format: Candidates’ report must be at least 3 full pages,
double-spaced, 12 font style, and well organized and structured, and written in the standard form
of the target language. Candidate should use MLA style. (ACTFL 1a, 1b)
The Content Study will be developed into a unit plan with ten lessons.
(b) The scoring guide for the assessment
Elements
Cultural Knowledge
(ACTFL 2a)
Approaches Standard
Meets Standard
Exceeds Standard
Candidates cite examples
of cultural practices,
products, perspectives, but
the examples reflect a
cultural knowledge base
that is still developing.
Candidates cite key
cultural perspectives and
provide support through
description of products
and practices.
Knowledge of literary
and cultural texts
(ACTFL 2b)
Candidates are aware of
major literary texts and
have read excerpts,
abridgments, or reviews of
those works and authors.
Writing in Target
Language
(ACTFL 1a, 1b)
Paper is written with some
grammatical and
syntactical errors in the
target language, but
candidates demonstrate an
understanding of the
content area as shown by
the structure, organization,
and style of the paper.
Candidates interpret
literary texts that represent
defining works in the
target cultures. They
identify themes, authors,
historical style, and text
types in a variety of media
that the cultures deem
important in understanding
the traditions of the
cultures.
Structure and organization
developed reasonably
well. Content is clear with
fine control of the target
language. Less than 5
grammatical/syntactical
errors with less than 5
punctuation and/or
capitalization errors.
Acceptable conclusion.
Candidates provide
sophisticated examples
and viewpoints that
present the target culture
as a system in which
cultural perspectives are
reflected through practices
and products
Candidates interpret and
synthesize ideas and
critical issues from literary
and other cultural texts
that represent the historical
and contemporary works
of a wide range of writers
in a wide range of forms
and media. They interpret
from multiple viewpoints
and approaches.
Structure and organization
of paper is very well
developed. Candidates
demonstrate a very strong
command of the target
language as seen by the
lack of grammatical,
syntactical, morphological,
and lexical errors. Wellrounded conclusion.