SPA103 week 4 discussion 1

   From Shopping to Community Service–What’s Your Preference?
Prepare: As you prepare to write this week’s discussion, take a few moments to review the Notas Culturales from your assigned readings this week, and to consider any additional resources provided in the Instructor Guidance. Identify the different shopping options available in your community. Investigate volunteer and community service opportunities. Find out about services and resources available for Spanish speakers in your community.

Read Actividades Cotidianas: Las Compras y el Paseo (p. 136)
Read La Conciencia Social (p. 151).

Reflect: Now that you’ve identified some of the shopping options and community services opportunities in your area, think about what’s missing. When it comes to resources available, is there something that’s missing? Is there a niche that you could fill or would be interested in learning more about? Carefully review the questions listed below associated with the cultural readings. When you have reflected on your thoughts for each, you are ready to write your response.
Topic #1: Las Compras
Describe some of your shopping preferences and experiences by addressing the following questions in your response:

In Spanish-speaking countries, stores are often named after the product they sell. Which types of stores have you seen in your community that reflect this practice? Are there many ethnic stores in your area?
Have you ever had a shopping experience that you would consider to have been a cultural experience? Describe it.
What are your shopping preferences? Do you prefer a modern mall, boutiques, or would you feel comfortable bargaining in an open air market?
When you travel, do you normally dedicate time to shopping? What types of places do you like to visit for shopping? If you don’t shop while on a trip, what kinds of activities do you prefer to participate in?

Topic #2: Servicio a la Comunidad
In many parts of the Spanish-speaking world, people engage in a wide variety of activities to serve their communities. Discuss your experience with community service by answering the questions that follow.

In general, do you think that many people in the United States participate in volunteer activities or in community service? Why or why not?
Which groups of people in your community need the most help? Are there services available for them?
What type of service activities do you think that more people should participate in, in your community? Why?
Are there community resources available to Spanish speakers in your community? Is there a particular service that you think is missing? What is it?
Would you like to work as a volunteer in the future? Why or why not?

Write: Choose one of the topics, and respond to the questions provided. Your response should be at least 300 words in length in order to provide sufficient detail and to demonstrate critical thought with respect to these cultural practices and gifts to society.

Respond to Peers: Review your classmates’ posts, and respond to at least two of your peers. For one of your responses, choose someone who posted on a topic different from what you selected. Share alternate views, provide personal experiences as they relate to the topic, expand upon ideas, or provide questions to encourage further elaboration of the topic. Each response should be a minimum of 75 words.