Rediscovering the U.S.A.: Regional Diversity and Stereotypes

U.S. Embassy in Vienna
August 30-September 7, 2007
Vienna-Schladming-Innsbruck

Jennifer Uhler, facilitator

Culture is a little like dropping an Alka-Seltzer into a glass-you don't see it, but somehow it does something. ~ Hans Magnus Enzensberger

Culture, with us, ends in headache. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many-sidedness of culture makes our vision clearer and keener in particulars. ~ James Russell Lowell

In the United States there is more space where nobody is than where anybody is. That is what makes America what it is. ~ Gertrude Stein

In a country as big as the United States, you can find fifty examples of anything. ~ Jeffery F. Chamberlain

Workshop Outline

Day 1

Morning Session

1. Welcome and warmers
2. Map activities
3. All nations are created equal
4. Reflective Journaling

Afternoon Session

1. The Average American
2. Elections, politics, and presidents
3. Stereotype surveys
4. Reflective Journaling

Day 2

Morning Session

1. All states are created equal
2. Learning stations:
   • Food culture
   • Wealth
   • Baseball
   • Education
   • Cars and driving
   • Demographics
3. Reflective Journaling

Afternoon Session

1. Yee-haw! Cowboy poetry
2. Final trade fair and sharing
3. Good-byes and evaluations