What You’ll Do: This assignment is your chance to reflect on how different parts of your identity—like your gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation—have influenced (or coul

What You’ll Do:

This assignment is your chance to reflect on how different parts of your identity—like your gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation—have influenced (or could influence) your health and access to healthcare. You’ll connect your own story to what we've been learning in class, using course concepts and readings. You’ll also create two original visuals to help tell your story.

 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pick Two Identity Categories

Choose two from the list below:

Gender

Socioeconomic Status (your family’s or your own income and education level)

Race or Ethnicity

Sexual Orientation

2. Reflect and Write

For each identity category:

Write about how this part of your identity has shaped (or might shape) your health or your access to health resources.

Include real examples from your life—what advantages or disadvantages have you experienced?

Be honest and detailed. Think about things like stress, support, discrimination, access, stigma, etc.

Make connections to course theories or concepts we’ve talked about in class (from Sept. 2–Oct. 16).

Support your points with course readings (cite them!).

4. Cite Your Sources

Use ASA or APA style to cite the course readings (in-text + reference list).

Not sure how? Ask your TA during office hours or check out UC Merced Library’s citation guides.

Formatting Requirements

Length: 1500 words (excluding your reference list) 

Formatting: Double spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point font (Calibri, Times New Roman, or another standard font).

Submit your work on time through Turnitin (where it will be checked for plagiarism).

Important Reminders

AI Use is NOT allowed for this assignment. Any use of AI tools (including for writing or ideas) will result in:

A zero in the course

A report to the Dean of Students

Be sure your work is your own words and ideas.

(The two identities I chose are gender and race. i will attach what i worked on with chatgpt. I want to focus what things look like as a African American woman.