Gulen Institute 2012-2013 International Essay Competition Essay Topic and Resources

Hospitality in the Global Village: People uprooted by natural disasters and warfare move across borders into regions often populated with those of different cultures, ethnicities, and social customs. Unfortunately, migrations often result in increased friction in the Global Village. In fact migrants fleeing for safety often find unwelcome reception in cultures with long practiced customs. Often host peoples are themselves collections of minorities who themselves envision threats from newcomers.

How to address this prompt: Choose one of the following questions: 1. In what ways are the needs of migrants' personal identity affected by governmental policies to insure cultural and national unity? 2. Given the rights of hosts to maintain their culture and ways, are these rights extended to migrant newcomers? 3. Why or why not should migrants try to merge their identity with the host culture to achieve personal benefits? 4. Why or why not should migrants avoid frequent interaction with host peoples and instead establish marginal communities? 5. Why or why should communities of migrants accept a number of identities to match the expectations and ways of a host nation? 6. Why or why not should unwelcomed guests reject the host's standards and establish autonomy exclusively for themselves? 7. Why or why not should host nations exclude guests unwilling to adopt the host's ways? 8. How are immigrants to adapt? By assimilating or maintaining their cultural identity? How are host people to adjust to newcomers? By tolerating differences? By adapting their own cultures?

Addressing the Prompt How does migration affect national unity? How important is cultural unity? After accounting for the issue you have chosen: Explain why you have chosen this question. Explain how you see the question as it relates to at least one nation -state that is grappling with the question, a country other than your own. Provide possible causes behind the tensions. Provide potential means that realistically overcome these challenges. In final draft, establish a distinct voice. Be sure to cite any relevant research in your responses.

Citation: Perry, J. W. Psychological aspects of cultural pluralism: Unity and identity reconsidered. Essays must/must be written in English; original, unpublished, and written entirely by student; contain students original opinions and recommendations based on research; at least 1,500 words in length but no more than 2,000 (Citations and bibliography are not included in the word count); typed, double-spaced with margins: left: 1.5", right: 1", top: 1", bottom: 1", page-numbered; include a bibliography; and comply with standards regarding citations and bibliography. Please identity your first language, as papers are ranked in two categories. Important Dates: December 6, 2012: One page abstract addressing the following 1) The topic you have chosen and why. What is the original idea (perhaps the thesis)? 2) Address what kind of research you are going to use to support your idea. 3) A developing works cited page with at least 5 possible sources. Note: You will need to post this assignment on Moodle as part of a forum January 7-11: You will have a consultation with the teacher about your essay. You should have a working draft this week to take advantage of the consultation. January 18, 2013: Deadline for the submission of essays. February 19, 2013: Results will be announced.