Anthropology course assignment: Identity Reflection
How to do Reflective Writing?
A large proportion of your reflective account should be based on your own experience, it is normally appropriate to use the first person (‘I’). Identify which parts of your experience
you are being asked to reflect on and use this as a guide to when to use the first person.
When writing about your reflections use the past tense as you are referring to a
particular moment (I felt…). When incorporating theory from elsewhere use the present
tense as the ideas are still current (Smith proposes that…).
Format:
– double-spaced 3 pages in all. Each page should be 275 words and answer each question.
– there will be a penalty for paper if words not up to the limit.
– APA citation & bibliographic style.
The questions or bibliography do not count against my word limit.
You will be writing a short reflection guided by answering the questions below. Your reflection to each question should be double-space 1 page and 275 words. Note: 275 words do not include the reflection questions and bibliography.
Reflection Questions
1) Select one ascribed aspect of your identity, and find one peer-reviewed journal article that discusses that aspect of identity. In what ways have you resisted that identity? Relate that resistance to the content of the reference you located. (5 marks)
2) Select one avowed aspect of your identity, and find another peer-reviewed journal article that discusses that aspect of identity. In what ways have you conformed to that identity? Relate that conformity to the content of the reference you located. (5 marks)
3) Select a third aspect of your identity (avowed or ascribed) and find a third peer reviewed journal article that discusses that aspect of identity. In what ways have you negotiated within that identity? Relate that negotiation to the content of the reference you located. (5 marks)
Key terms:
Identity
- the properties that make one individual different from others. Examples for aspects of identity: religion, race, culture, languages, where we came from, gender, age, sexuality ect.
Ascribed aspect of your identity
– Set of demographic and role descriptions that others in an interaction assume to hold true for you. It is often a function of your physical appearance, ethnic connotations of your name or accent. They are assigned to you by others. It is something given rather than achieved.
Avowed identity
– Group affiliations that one feels most intensely. For example, if an individual is assimilated into new culture, then the values and practices of that destination culture will figure very importantly in their avowed culture. It is something achieved rather than given.
