ENVSOCTY 1HA3 – Society, Culture & Environment (2022-23 – Fall)
Critical Reflection #2 – Social & Cultural Geographies: Ethnicity & Identity
INTRODUCTION & PROMPTS
Introduction:
In the second part of the Social & Cultural Geographies section of this course, you have been learning about:
• ethnicity as “an individual’s affiliation with a group whose racial, cultural, religious or linguistic characteristics,
or national origins distinguish it from the rest of the population”;
• the spatial diffusion of ethnic groups over time;
• the myth of ‘race’, which is not a valid scientific way of categorizing human beings; and
• that despite there only being one human race, scientifically-speaking, race is an important construct in humans’
day-to-day lives.
Applicable lecture:
• Geographies of Race & Ethnicity
Applicable textbook chapter:
• Chapter 5 – Geographies of Identity and Difference
Instructions:
After watching the above lecture and reading the corresponding textbook pages/chapter, we would like you to write a
short critical reflective paper to demonstrate what you have learned so far, extend that learning into new areas, and
connect the course content with areas beyond this course.
Before you begin writing, it is important to take some time to reflect on each lecture and reading, and to think about the
key ideas/points and takeaway messages. Once you have compiled your thoughts, and, if necessary, reviewed any
additional content (i.e. news articles, short video clips, etc.) to extend your learning, choose one of the prompts below and
write your critical reflection using the accompanying Response document.
For guidance on writing a critical reflection (i.e. what should be included), please consult the Writing Skills section of the
courseware (available on our Avenue to Learn site under Content).
Prompts:
Choose ONE of the following prompts:
1.
In lecture we discussed how ethnicity is inherently spatial and that we can sometimes identify patterns of
ethnicity within regions. Choose a scale of analysis and a particular place (i.e. a particular city, state, region or
province) of interest to you. Discuss its patterns of ethnicity and one possible reason for these patterns.
2.
Race is not a valid scientific way of categorizing human beings (beyond a single human race), yet it remains
relevant to our lives in so many ways. This point was made in lecture using examples about uneven access to
health care services and treatment in workplaces. Do some additional research and present concrete evidence
about two additional ways that a person’s ‘race’ matters in their day-to-day lives.
3.
In lecture we discussed ways of interrogating and exposing race and racism. One of the ways this has been
occurring recently is through the dismantling of statues and monuments. Find a monument (either close to where
you live or through research) and describe how it is a ‘contested place’. Contested by whom? What meanings do
different individuals or groups assign to this artifact?
Due: Friday, October 21 at 11:59 PM to the appropriate Avenue to Learn drop-box (Assignments > Critical Reflection #2
– Social & Cultural Geographies: Ethnicity & Identity)