Reflective Essay
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
JUST203: CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
INTRODUCTION
January 6, 2020
JUST203:
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
WELCOME
JUST203:
We recognize we are on the traditional lands of the Kwsepsum [Koh-samp-sen] (Esquimalt) and Lekwungen [L’kwong-gun] (Songees) peoples, whose ancestors and families lived, hunted, fished and gathered here since time immemorial, and shared these traditional land resources with the neighbouring Scia’new [Chee-a-new] (Beecher Bay) and T’Sou-ke [Tsa-awk] (Sooke) Nations.
http://www.royalroads.ca/about/aboriginal-relations/first-nations-chiefs-welcome
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
SPREAD YOUR CULTURAL WINGS!
Take 2 Feathers
Write a word or two on each feather (1 facing right; 1 facing left) answering:
“WHAT IS CULTURE TO YOU?” – Share with the group
Tape up the feathers to create class composite of wings
Take your own photos… email to to your instructor
JUST203:
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
TODAY
JUST203:
COURSE OVERVIEW
CREATE COHORT/COURSE CULTURE AGREEMENT
PRESENT DEFINITIONS
CULTURAL ICEBERG ACTIVITY
REVIEW WED READINGS
REFLECTION EXERCISE
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
COURSE OVERVIEW – JUST 203
JUST203:
Class Expectations for Contribution Grade
Attend class
Meaningfully participate in group activities and discussions (5Ps +T)
Participation, Professionalism, Punctionality, Preparedness, Problem-solving, Teamwork
Hand in short, mini-reflective exercise in class
Shared engagement and contribution in Team Activity outside of class
CONTRIBUTION GRADE: 15%
Unit 1: Jan 6-Jan 19
Unit 1 provides for an overview of the historical development of mainstream perspectives on culture and cultural diversity. It will create opportunities for students to discuss what they know about multiculturalism and being a global citizen.
REFLECTIVE ESSAY: 15% (DUE MONDAY, JAN 20) : 1,000-1,200 words (incl. ref)
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
COURSE OVERVIEW
JUST203:
Unit 2: JAN 20-30
This unit further develops an understanding of cultural diversity in today's world, including how ethnicities are constructed and reconstructed in times of immigration. In particular, the course will explore the challenges and opportunities of migration around the world; and connect you to a project that will support Victoria newcomers.
TEAM PRESENTATION: 35%
(Presentation in class on Feb 3 to a panel-to be confirmed).
Unit 3: Feb 3-13
This unit explores the history of Indigenous life in Canada that explains many present-day developments. It also introduces the concept of self-governance as it is defined by the Canadian government and how it is actualized in Indigenous communities.
FINAL PAPER: 40% (DUE FRIDAY FEB 13) – 1,500-2,000 words (incl. ref)
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
“CULTURE” AGREEMENT
JUST203:
Cohort/Course Culture
RRU student rights and responsibilities and overall tone of this study space…
What are the things that are valued (or not valued) in the classroom?
Work in teams of 3 and 4 to answer the questions on the agreement.
For areas to monitor, ideas might include:
Preparation for class
Phone/computer use
Not allowing others to speak
Write on sticky notes to post on Flip Chart.
We will review them and finalize the agreement.
Discuss.
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
DEFINITIONS
JUST203:
Culture
Non-biological or social aspects of life (anything learned in part of culture).
Culture refers to characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people:
| - Language | - Social Habits | - Arts |
| - Religion | - Clothing | - Rituals |
| - Cuisine/Food | - Law | -Ceremonies |
| - Humor | - Knowledge | - Music |
Includes shared patterns of behaviours, interactions and understanding (learned)
Everything that makes up the lifestyles of a society at a particular point in time is part of culture (not always fixed).
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
DEFINITIONS
JUST203:
Ethnicity
A social group that has a common national or cultural tradition & shared ancestry.
Ethnicity refers to shared social traits (not physical traits) by a population.
An example of race is brown, white, or black skin (all from various parts of the world), while an example of ethnicity is German or Spanish ancestry (regardless of race) or Han Chinese.
Social traits of ethnicity include a shared:
| - Nationality | - Language | - Religious Faith |
| - Tribe | - Culture | - History & Tradition |
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
DEFINITIONS
JUST203:
Ethnic Minority
A group within a community which has different national or cultural traditions from the main population.
Examples of ethnicities: Inuit, Métis, Cree, Cherokee, Roma, Cham, Azeris, Uygur, Rohingya, Kurds, Dinka, Bantu, Zambos, Aboriginal peoples of Australia.
ETHNIC MINORITIES IN YOUR OWN COUNTRIES?
Ethnocentricism
Evaluating another culture by the values and standards of one's own ethnic
group.
Belief in the superiority of our own ethnic group
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
DEFINITIONS
JUST203:
Identity
The characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is… i.e. How we
define ourselves.
Self conception and self perception.
Influenced by internal and external factors, including:
Nationality (belonging to a particular nation)
Ethnicity (social group with common nationality and/or culture)
Religion (system of faith/worship)
Social class (economic situation in society)
Gender (range of identity, including male and female)
Sexuality (sexual orientation or preference)
Age (length of time in existence)
(Dis)ability (physical/mental condition that can limit movement, cognition, etc.)
Hobbies and Recreation
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
DEFINITIONS
JUST203:
Sex refers to the biological characteristics of a person at birth, whether male, female or intersex.
Intersex refers to a person is born with a combination of male and female biological characteristics, such as chromosomes or genitals, that can make doctors unable to assign their sex as distinctly male or female.
Sexual Orientation is the affectional or loving attraction to another person. It can be considered as ranging along a continuum from same-sex attraction only at one end of the continuum to opposite-sex attraction only at the other end.
Gender is the concept of maleness and masculinity or femaleness and femininity (constructed).
Gender Identity is the sense of one’s self as male or female (constructed; not biological)
Transsexuality is where a person experiences a gender identity that is inconsistent with, or not
culturally associated with, their assigned sex.
Gender Role refers to the behaviours and desires to act in certain ways that are viewed as masculine or feminine by a particular culture. A culture usually labels behaviours as masculine or feminine, but these behaviours are not necessarily a direct component of gender or gender identity.
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
ICEBURG ACTIVITY
Draw an iceberg
Write at least 5 visible cultural attributes of your country as SURFACE CULTURE
Write at least 5 cultural aspects
of your country that are more hidden as DEEP CULTURE
DISCUSS
CANADA Iceberg?
JUST203:
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
THURSDAY - JAN 9
JUST203:
READ: Hans, N. (1955). Nationalism and internationalism.
International Review of Education, 1(2), 144-153. Let’s find our voice!
READ: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2001). Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity UNESCO. (2001). (NOTE: This is the same document as Section 25, but presented in a report format). (READ PAGES 1-7 for Jan 9)
REVIEW: Section 25: UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. In Records of the General Conference, 31st Session, Paris,15 October to 2 November, 2001: Volume 1: Resolutions (pp.61-64). To read this in other languages, go to the UNESCO Portal. (REVIEW for Jan. 9)
CULTURE, ETHNICITY & IDENTITY
CLASS REFLECTION
JUST203:
What was the most interesting thing you learned today and why?
What are you most interested to learn in this course?
What did you do in class today that helped in your own learning?
What did you do in class today that helped other students learn?
Note: Class Reflections are part of your Participation Grade (10%)