12 Culture Zine Project (2025)

This two-part zine cultural exploration project invites students to creatively explore elements of culture from societies around the world. Students begin with a concept map, which they develop into zines. Once zines are complete, students participate in a zine share day, in which they explore their peers’ work and offer thoughtful and constructive feedback. Together, we discuss key similarities and differences across the cultures studied. Students are encouraged to reflect on moments when they may have viewed another culture with ethnocentrism, and to consider which cultures might provoke the greatest sense of culture shock upon visiting.

Assignment: Exploring Culture

Part 1 of 2: Concept Map

Due: 

Purpose:

This assignment will help you:
1. Understand elements of culture.
2. Identify and categorize aspects of material and non-material culture.
3. Develop skills in organizing ideas visually.

By completing this assignment, you’ll lay the groundwork for part 2 of this assignment: creating your zine. (more on that later)

What is a Concept Map?

A concept map is a visual tool used to organize and represent information. It starts with a central idea, which branches out to related concepts, creating a web of interconnected ideas. This method helps you see relationships between topics and organize your thoughts clearly. For this assignment, your concept map will center on “Society/Culture” and branch into two key areas: Material Culture, Non-Material Culture. From these areas, you will branch out further with your specific examples. For more information and examples please visit the following website. There are also examples located in the resource module of week three on Canvas.

Task:

1. Choose a Society
   Select a society and culture that you’d like to explore. This can be a society you’re familiar with or one you’d like to learn more about. Please do not choose the society you consider “home”.
2. Research the culture and find examples
   Gather information about the society (please no Wikipedia), and choose concepts listed in chapter 3 of your text, focusing on the following:

• Material Culture: Identify 5 categories of material culture and provide specific, detailed examples. Examples of categories include food, buildings, monuments, machines, tools, clothes, utensils, furniture, art
• Non-Material Culture: Identify 5 concepts of non-material culture from chapter three of your text and provide specific examples. Examples of course concepts include values/beliefs (counts as one concept), ideal culture, real culture, sanctions, informal norms, formal norms, mores, folkways, language, symbols, social institutions (education, political, religion, etc.)

3. Create a Concept Map
   Use a concept map to visually organize your research. Your map should clearly label and connect:

• the society’s name (center of your map)
• links (arrows) connecting society to subtopics of material culture and non-material culture
• links from material and non-material culture to categories and concepts
• links from each concept to specific example.

Hand drawn maps are encouraged!

Please attach sources. i.e.: where did you get this information? You can list websites at the bottom/back/separate page

Criteria for Success-checklist:

Does your concept map:
-Clearly label the society you’ve chosen?
-Include 5 categories of material culture and 5 concepts of non-material culture, with specific examples for each?

– Have correct formatting, with nodes and links as provided in example?

Assignment: Exploring Culture

Part 2 of 2: Zine Creation

Due:

Overview

In part two of our cultural exploration assignment, you will create a zine that showcases your research on a different society’s culture. As discussed in our library session, zines are small, creative booklets that allow you to express your ideas with art and in writing. You’ll use your concept map and the information you’ve gathered to highlight cultural aspects of your chosen society.

Purpose

This assignment allows you to:

1. Explore and analyze different elements of culture
2. Apply sociological concepts of culture
3. Develop skills in synthesizing research and presenting it creatively.

Task

1. Introduction

Write an introductory paragraph for your zine that includes:

• Geographic location:Where is the culture primarily found?
• Population size:Provide an approximate figure.
• Type of society:Is it preindustrial, industrial, or postindustrial?
• Focus of your zine:Summarize the cultural aspects you’ll highlight. Name the four aspects of material culture and four aspects of non-material culture you’ll explore.
• Why you chose this society:Explain what makes it interesting to you.

Example:

“The Maasai are a preindustrial pastoral society located in Kenya and northern Tanzania, with a population of around 1 million people. This zine will explore their material culture, including clothes, food, homes, and tools, as well as their non-material culture, including values/beliefs, informal norms, formal norms, and the social institution of education. I chose to study the Maasai because I am interested in the differences between this traditional preindustrial society and my postindustrial society.”

2. Create Your Zine
   Your zine should include at least five sections of content and be in a booklet format.

• Page count:
  • o If using large sheets of paper (e.g., folded letter), your zine could have as few as 5 pages. For smaller sheets, your zine could be 11 pages or more.

Required elements for your zine:

• Cover Page (Page 1):Include your name, date, title, and the society name.
• Introduction (Page 2):Include your introductory paragraph.
• Material Culture Section:Highlight four aspects of material culture, using specific examples for each.
• Non-Material Culture Section:Highlight four aspects of non-material culture, using specific examples for each.
• Sources (Last Page/Back Page):Include web addresses for all your sources.

Design tips:

• Use visuals (drawings, photos, collages) on every page to make your zine engaging.

3. Share Your Zine and Reflect

• Bring your zine to class and be prepared to share it with the class.

Criteria for Success- checklist:

• Booklet Format: Is your zine in booklet format?
• Cover Page: Is your cover page complete with all required information?
• Introduction: Did you include your introduction with all required information?
• Material Culture:  Did you offer four examples with specific details?
• Non-Material Culture: Did you offer four examples with specific details?
• Visual Design:  Is there thoughtful use of images, symbols, drawings, or other design elements on every page except the source page?
• Sources: Are all your sources cited on the last page?