Unit Two Overview

Unit Two - Cultural Identity

The Key Understandings for Unit Two are as follows:

• Identity, as it is presented in literature, refers to an understanding of an individual in relation to one’s social, cultural and ethnic influences.

• Identity is an evolving concept that is dependent upon life experiences such as ethnicity, age,  gender, socialization, religion, etc.

• Identity is influenced by relationships, conflicts and experiences.

   

Essential Questions:

• What is identity? What influences or determines our sense of who we are?
• How does one’s identity relate to one’s culture?
• What makes one person distinct from another?
• How do we form and shape our identities?
• How is identity shaped by current and historical events?
• What is the role of language in shaping communities?
• What role does language play in relationships?  In conflict?
• How does language define an individual, community, culture and world?
• How is our understanding of culture and society constructed through and by language?
• What does it mean to be Canadian?

"We first made our habits, and then our habits make us."

John Dryden, English poet (1631-1700)