Ethnic origin
This can be a wonderful opportunity to talk with family members you may not have contacted in a long time. Write about their cultural values, the challenges and the successes they may have faced during their lives because of their ethnicity. If you are unable to obtain info on your family, choose someone who has been or could be significant in your life. Phone interview, email, or in-person contact could all be helpful and be appropriate. Do some research about their cultural heritage; this may include on-line searches.
For full credit: Be sure to include references in BOLD TYPE to the 1) concepts that we have been studying (for example: minority-majority group relations,institutional discrimination, accommodation, assimilation, amalgamation, transmission theory, and the Noel Hypothesis, and 2) to theoretical perspectives such as conflict, functional and interactionist theories). Include references from supplemental research material in addition to your family’s reports.
Include a description of the impact on you personally of gathering this family information. To emphasize the parts in your paper where you are referencing material to Parillo or other sources, please highlight them in bold.
“Because of our own belief in the melting-pot and the power of assimilation, the U.S. does not always understand the impact of ethnic diversity within a society” according to Rubenfeld. Does this quote give you some insight into your own family’s experiences with ethnicity, especially if there is a history of multi-ethnic involvement?
Respond to the following questions in the paper:
• What are some of the cultural values of your family? If you do not have information on your family, pick a person in your life about whom you can obtain information.
• What are some of their challenges that directly relate to their ethnic background?
• Pick one of three perspectives (functional, conflict, or interactionist) to explain one of their challenges.
• In what way has their ethnic background been a factor in their success? What are some historical patterns of the ethnic group(s) that relate to the challenges and successes they have faced?
Elaborate, based on research, on the culture and values of the ethnicity that you are describing.
In the concluding paragraph include a statement based on your research about someone that you could admire from your ethnic background and why? The purpose of including this is to cultivate pride in your heritage. Additionally, who would be a well-known public figure such as through the arts, sciences, humanities, politics, for example, that could be an inspiration to you? Answering this could require some research.
Be sure to include references to material in our texts that we have covered thus far. Also include material from supplemental sources such as those listed on the syllabus, and from the Resource Material link. Other resources are welcome.
Due the Saturday of the fourth week of class. To keep the discussions flowing throughout the week, as usual, respond to at least 2 other students’ posts by Friday. Review the section in the syllabus re the Criteria for Evaluation of Participation in discussion forums and your Ethnicity Paper. This provides guidance and direction. Be sure to post in Discussion Board the equivalent of 3-4 pages.
See the link in the Course Menu for a Sample Week 4 Paper to help guide you as you work on this paper.
Be sure to include your name also at the end of the paper.
