Non-Western Cultural Resistance with AI Support

Purpose

This assignment encourages students to investigate and analyze how a non-Western culture has resisted Eurocentrism and colonialism, using post-colonial theories and perspectives on global power structures.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe aspects of a non-Western culture that influence or contribute to global cultural, scientific, or social processes.
• Apply post-colonial theories to analyze global power structures and cultural resistance.
• Reflect on the broader significance of resistance efforts in shaping global dynamics.

Instructions

Using AI Tools Effectively

To enhance your research and writing process, use AI tools strategically to gather information, organize ideas, and refine your analysis. Below are suggested tools and guidelines for their use:

1. Research and Idea Generation
   • Elicit: Use this tool to find relevant research papers and identify key insights about your chosen culture and its resistance efforts. Input questions like “What are examples of post-colonial resistance in [country/culture]?” to narrow your focus.
   • Perplexity: Summarize complex topics or gather quick, accurate overviews of key events and resistance efforts. This tool can help you synthesize background information.
2. Organizing and Structuring Content
   • ResearchRabbit: Create a network of related articles and sources to visualize the connections between different aspects of resistance and its impact on social institutions.
   • Mind-mapping tools with AI: Use platforms like Coggle or Scapple to map out your thesis, arguments, and examples visually.
3. Writing and Refinement
   • Microsoft Copilot: While drafting, use Copilot to refine your writing, suggest improvements to structure, or clarify arguments. Provide specific prompts such as “How can I improve this thesis statement?” or “Propose transitions between these paragraphs.”
   • ChatGPT: Use for brainstorming ideas, generating sample arguments, or summarizing sections of your report for clarity. Always verify AI-generated content for accuracy.
4. Documenting AI Use
   • Take screenshots of AI-generated outputs and add a brief description of how each tool supported your research or writing process. For example:
     • “Used Microsoft Copilot to improve the clarity of my introduction.”
     • “Utilized Elicit to find three academic sources on colonial resistance in [country].”

Written Report Format

1. Select a non-Western culture or country and investigate its resistance to Eurocentrism and colonialism.
2. Write a two-page analysis report that includes:
   • An introduction with a thesis statement.
   • Well-structured arguments supported by at least five examples of resistance and their impact on social institutions (e.g., education, policies, governments).
   • A conclusion reflecting on the cultural significance and influence of the chosen resistance efforts.
3. Incorporate peer feedback into the final draft:
   • Use track changes to indicate revisions.
   • Add a summary of how the feedback was used.
4. Document AI tool use:
   • Include screenshots of AI outputs and a description of how the tools were used (e.g., summarizing research).

Grading Criteria

• Depth and relevance of analysis (40%).
• Use of examples to illustrate resistance efforts (30%).
• Clarity and organization of arguments (20%).
• Documentation of peer feedback and AI tool use (10%).

Resources

• Writing Center for writing support.
• AI tools for research and summarization (e.g., Elicit, Perplexity, ResearchRabbit).