Rites of Passage: A Case Study of the Amish Rumspringa

Barbara Prillaman

In this unit, high school students will focus on the Amish rite of passage – Rumspringa – to answer the questions: What is the socialization process? How does it relate to my life? The Amish way of life? What are some examples of meaningful interaction experiences from my life? From the life of the Amish? How do these relate to the socialization process? How is an agent of socialization defined? Who/what is an agent of socialization that has deeply impacted you and how? Who/what is an agent of socialization that affects the Amish people? How? What is culture and how is it reflective of the socialization process? What is a rite of passage and how is this related to socialization? To culture? Following the Common Core Standards, students will read for meaning and interpret multiple sources (written and visual texts) to help them gain a deeper understanding of the sociological concepts of socialization and culture. Students will closely read a number of texts including personal accounts of people who have participated in rites of passage. Students will analyze and synthesize all of these texts while engaging in conversations that will also assist them in practicing their active listening skills as well as developing their personal reactions/responses to important topics.