Symposium Abstract

Anke Thorey

Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology

Extracurricular Activities: A Strange American Cultural Phenomenon

Extracurricular activities — including athletics and community service — are an integral part of American college education. They are usually considered a requirement for success, yet for international students they pose multiple challenges and are difficult to align with foreigners’ mental picture of the United States. This paper presents an investigation of this phenomenon from an anthropological point of view, attempting to explore its meaning within American culture.

Session B — 11:00 a.m. — Gallery I.