Description
This assignment has two tasks; each task has questions that must be answered in 150- 200 words per question. Each task has a website that I have linked that can be referenced for information.
Task 3:
When we hear the word “diversity,” we think of race and maybe culture.
This is true when we are referring to the diversity of ethnicity, race, and culture.
However, diversity is much broader. Diversity cuts across all facets of our lives, and it plays an important role in helping us survive. Among plants and animals,
for example, diseases are less prevalent when there is greater
diversity. 2 Pathogens cannot easily find their ideal hosts among various plants and animals, leading to lower levels of disease. And the passing
of diseases is lower when there are lots of different kinds of hosts, as some will
not be as receptive as others making the reproduction of diseases less likely. We
see another lack of diversity in “in-breeding” with certain ancient royal
families, where mutations, deformities, and genetic diseases have multiplied numerous generations.
a. Briefly explain what additional parallels can we make between the diversity of
culture and diversity among plants and animals?
b. Briefly explain the complex nature of racism, sexism, and other forms of
discrimination?
c. Some researchers have shown that when some people are given reminders
of their own mortality, they feel a sense of anxiety and insecurity. Some,
unfortunately, respond to anxiety and insecurity by becoming more prone
to status-seeking, materialism, greed, prejudice, and aggression. As a
teacher, explain how would you broach this dilemma in your classroom?
Task 4:
Pluralist and assimilationist discourses are two distinct ways of framing
the role and place of linguistic and cultural diversity in schools (Lakoff, 2004).
These frameworks are powerful, as they shape how we discuss diversity
in schools and what is included and excluded in the discussion. Pluralist
discourses position linguistic and cultural diversity as the norm within and across
geographical borders. Rather than viewing this diversity as a problem, they
approach it as a potential force for social change. On the other
hand, Assimilationists are grounded in the emergence of the nation-state and its concern with a
unifying language and national culture to support a sociopolitical community well
beyond the traditional boundaries of the tribe or village (Anderson, 1991; S.
Wright, 2004). Linguistic and cultural diversity is seen as a
hindrance and threat to unity; monolingualism is the desired norm.
a. Briefly explain how can linguistic diversity be employed in solving social and
environmental problems?
b. Briefly explain how we can achieve greater efficiencies through the reduction
and streamlining or reducing of diversity?
