Prior to class students are are to consider and do the following:

How do we learn what we want to HAVE, THINK and DO?  (Our class definition of Culture)

One way we learn what to have (want), and what to think, and what to do, is from our teachers and parents and other people in authority or power.   

For example, a key element of American culture, promoted through American history textbooks, schools, churches, and the government is the notion of Meritocracy:  that anyone who works hard enough can achieve the American dream.   The Webster definition of Meritocracy is "a system, organization, or society in which people are chosen and moved into positions of success, power, and influence on the basis of their demonstrated abilities and merit"

To illustrate how easy this can be manipulated, we watch an old, but an incredibly impactful documentary.   

As you watch this documentary, you may feel anger or frustration or even disbelief.... these are not uncommon feelings.  Start to think about why you feel these feelings... Are you feeling conflicted?  How does this documentary support, or counter argue, your notions of meritocracy?    Is the United States a meritocracy?

Also consider the following concepts: 

Diversity:  What is it?

Hegemony:  "The dominance of a set of ideas or a power structure that is so powerful and so entrenched that it goes unchallenged and is rarely questioned".

e.g.  Because of the hegemony of the veteran congressmen, the political rookies found it hard to get a bill on the docket  --- or ---  Even though the United States continues to see itself as a global power, its hegemony in the world is fading  --- or ---  Although the professor has hegemony over the students, she is a caring woman who willingly listens to suggestions and incorporates them into her classes.

Learned Ignorance: "A lack of knowledge that is fostered to protect the distribution of power in a society" (Buck, 2013).