INQ 100 Paper #1: Romantic Myth Reflection Paper

Assignment #1: Myth Reflection Paper

To complete the first writing assignment for this class, you should review the twelve myths described by Galician, and choose one of the two options below upon which to focus your paper:

Option 1: Write about an actual experience that you have had with one of the myths.
Option 2: Write about the romance myth that you find most appealing–the one that you believe is most true.

The first assignment for the semester asks you to think deeply about one of the romantic myths described in your textbook. This assignment will give you the chance to identify the origins of your beliefs, attitudes, values and subsequent actions in relation to your chosen myth. It will challenge you to explore: (1) what you have seen, heard, or read in the media, or been told by others with whom you have personal relationships; (2) the way(s) in which the meaning of the myth has developed over time in your life; and (3) the impact of this myth on your view, or actual experiences, of romantic relationships. Completing this assignment should give you better awareness of how your perceptions of romantic relationships shapes, expands, and limits your interpersonal relationships and interactions.

Analyze. To begin the process of reflection, you should think about your "history" with your chosen myth. Collect your thoughts and write a stream-of-consciousness journal that answers questions such as the following:

What are your beliefs about gender roles (how men and/or women should behave) in general? How have these beliefs contributes to your view of how romantic relationships should be?
What have important people (e.g., family, friends, clergy) in your life told you that has shaped your views of love?
What exposure have you had to this myth before this class? Have you heard/seen/read similar sentiments expressed by others in your life and/or in the media? Have you ever received messages that run counter to this myth?
What is it about the myth that you like? Is there anything about the myth that you dislike?
What impact, if any, has this myth had on you? On someone you know?
When was the first time you remember being exposed to this myth (or a similar sentiment)? Who did you first hear use it? What did it mean? What circumstances surrounded and influenced its use? Has the meaning of this myth–in all its complexity–changed for you over time?

Write for at least FIVE pages, but forget about "minimum" and "maximum" length. Just let your writing flow. When it dwindles to a trickle, stop! You can come back to it later if you need to do so. Your journal may be printed, written, or typed. Use the method that is the most natural one for you. Your journal should be thoughtful, but don't strain to make it "academic." Let it be spontaneous, natural, and candid.

Please do not censor your thoughts as you write them down. That kind of "caution" will only limit your learning and undermine a major purpose of the assignment. You can always censor the entry later, before handing in the assignment, and preserve the original intact for your own reference. In other words, you can give me photocopies of your entries in which you have blocked out (or otherwise deleted) those portions that you do not want to share with me. I'm interested in following your efforts to understand the myth, not in peeking into your personal life!

Final Report.Your final paper must be a "connections" essay. It should be 2-3 pages, typed, double-spaced, with 1" margins all around . . . and it must be very carefully polished and proofread!

Your essay must communicate clearly and vividly about the following areas concerning the myth you have chosen to write about for this assignment: (1) your understanding of the myth, its origins and meanings; (2) how other beliefs that you hold about interpersonal and gendered relationships might be related to this myth; and (3) its impact on your life, directly (own personal experience, experiences of others in your life) and/or indirectly (observation of others you know, personal cognitions).

This assignment is due Tuesday, September 18, in class. You will need to (a) e-mail me a copy of your essay, and (b) turn in a hard copy of your essay and your "journal."