Your Task

Identify a historical event. Mime it out with a partner over video chat. Discuss what surprised you, and post screenshots from your session in the space below.

Step 1: Identify a historical event.

Think about a historical event that's important to you. What are the gestures, expressions and phrases that are associated with that event?

Step 2: Mime the event via videochat.

Connect with someone from this course on Skype or Google hangout--you can either post your username here, or message someone via the P2PU platform.

In your video chat, mime the historical event that's imporant to you. The following tools are at your disposal:

• expressions
• gestures
• acting out events
• dance

Can your partner identify the event? Give it a few attempts. Ask your partner to do the same, and take screenshots of the process.

Step 3: What surprised you?

What elements in the interaction surprised you? A few ideas:

• Generalizations you had to make to get your point across
• Points your partner did not understand
• Your frustrations in the communication.

Example: Woodstock.

Image Credit: dbking

Woodstock is an important event in American popular culture. It's often represented by the "Peace Symbol" or a V-sign made with two fingers.

Image Credit: Leo Reynolds.

However, what we associate with "peace" in the United States is not universal. In fact, the symbol has some negative associations with it that might offend some folks (whoops!).

What suprised you about the interaction? What would you do differently if you were to do it again?