Unit 8 Discussion Board Society:

SOC 1010, Introduction to Sociology 1 Cou rse Learning Outcomes for Unit VIII Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to: 4. Evaluate patterns of behavior through sociological skills and theory. 4.1 Analyze patterns of behavior related to race and ethnicity. 6. Explain how social structure shapes an individual’s life chances Reading Assignment Chapter 13: Race and Ethnicity Chapter 15: Social Change Unit Lesson In the last unit, we learned about the social construction of gender. In this unit, our focus turns to the social construction of race. To say that race is socially constructed is to recognize that people assess certain physical characteristics as bein g racial. Although society uses physical characteristics, the phenomenon is not biological. There is not a blood test to determine race. Nor is there agreement among biologists as to the definition of race. What we do know about it is that people attribu te certain traits and values to the characteristics used when determining race. On the other hand, membership in an ethnic group is determined by national origin or distinctive cultural patterns not found in the dominant culture. People belong to a dominan t group by race or ethnicity, or they belong to a minority group. Minority group status means that members have less control over their lives than majority group members have. Minority groups share five characteristics with other minority groups:  First, there are physical or cultural differences between them and the dominant group. Each society arbitrarily decides which characteristics are important in defining the group.  Second, minority groups experience unequal treatment. For example, members of minority groups often face difficulty in finding housing because of their group affiliation.  Third, membership in these groups is not voluntary. Minority status is an ascribed s tatus. Thus, you are born into it.  Fourth, members of minority groups often have a strong sense of solidarity with other members due to similar experiences of discrimination.  Finally, minority groups are generally endogamous. Generally, people marry with in their group. UNIT VIII STUDY GUIDE Race and Ethnicity SOC 1010, Introduction to Sociology 2 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title There are seven consequences of minority status, or patterns of intergroup relations: extermination, expulsion, secession, segregation, amalgamation, assimilation , and pluralism . An example of extermination is the genocide of a group, s uch as the Native Americans in this country. Expulsion involves forcible removal of a group. Native Americans found themselves kicked out of their communities and land by a western -moving white population. Secession is the breaking away of a group. The Sou th tried to secede from the Union during the Civil War. In segregation , groups physically separate , or are separated from the dominant group. Keep in mind, this separation is often between other minority groups , too. Over time, groups may intermarry and th e result is amalgamation . Here, group A, group B, and group C become a new group, group D. Assimilation is different. In assimilation, groups B and C a re expected to become group A. Assimilation requires people to forsake their own cultural heritage and tr adition and become part of the dominant group. However, as you can imagine, this is impossible with respect to race. The final intergroup relation is pluralism , when each group keeps their own traditions and all groups are appreciated equally. In this situation, groups A, B, and C stay A, B, and C. Suggested Reading Learn more about this week’s topics by researching in the databases of the CSU Online Library. The following are examples of what is available in the General OneFile database: Griswold, D. T. (2012). Immigration and the welfare state. The Cato Journal, 32 (1), 159 -175. Hall, J. C., VanMetre, B. J., & Vedder, R .K. (2012). U.S. immigration policy in the 21st century: A market - based approach. The Cato Journal, 32 (1), 201 -221. Mullins, G . A. (2003). Seeking asylum: Literary reflections on sexuality, ethnicity, and human rights. MELUS, 28 (1), 145 -173. General Research Topic Search for scholarly articles written by feminist Peggy McIntosh concerning White Privilege. Are Whites and males over -privileged? Learning Activities (Non -Graded) SocThink Your textbook provides several opportunities for you to explore relevant topics, from personal self -exploration to challenging questions concerning topics being studied in this unit. Taki ng the time to read and respond to these opportunities will help you learn and apply the information being studied. These opportunities can be found on the following pages:  Chapter 13 o Pg. 321 o Pg. 327 o Pg. 329 o Pg. 338 o Pg. 343  Chapter 15 o Pg. 384 o Pg. 385 o Pg. 389 o Pg. 392 o Pg. 394 o Pg. 396 SOC 1010, Introduction to Sociology 3 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title Check Your Learning Quizzes are a way to self -test to see if you understand what you are studying. The textbook provides a brief “Pop Qu iz” for each chapter. Take advantage of this learning tool to enrich your learning experience! The answers are provided, so you can check and see how well you did. For this unit, the quizzes are available on the following pages:  Chapter 13 Pop Quiz , Pg. 3 47  Chapter 15 Pop Quiz, Pg. 404 Go to the website Understanding Prejudice and click on the links for the reading room, the multimedia link, and links on prejudice. Spend an hour o r so clicking on the sites you find within these links. Write a two -page paper explaining prejudice, discrimination, and the difference between the two. W hat are some ways you can fight against your own prejudices? The se are non -graded activities , so you do not have to submit them . However, if you have difficulty with any concepts, contact your instructor for additional discussion and/or explanation.