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)

Unit Two - Cultural Identity

UNIT TWO OVERVIEW

Defining our own personal identity can take a lifetime and to complicate matters, our identity changes throughout our lifetime. Several different influencing factors such as education, culture, career, spirituality and personal passions all contribute to connecting with one's own individuality. Also, with our ever expanding world, there is more opportunity for migration and travel. The results being we may cease to to feel part of a local community or nationality. We may, instead, feel a part of the global village. Identity can quickly become complicated as previously strong local identities get transformed. For this reason, it is important to discover your own identity by discovering the answers to some of the following questions:

• Who am I?
• What makes me special?
• Where am I going?
• What is my gift?

UNIT INTRODUCTION (Enduring Understanding)

Beverly Daniel Tatum states, "the concept of identity is a complex one, shaped by individual characteristics, family dynamics, historical factors and political contexts. On the idea of how an individual's identity is formed, I'd have to agree that a person's environment, the presence of a different language, etc. are leading factors on how someone's identity is formed and and created for the world to see. If not for these things shaping who we are as a person, we shouldn't have the ability to interact with someone who may be similar to us or a complete opposite.

The Complexity of Identity: Who am I?

After watching the short video, create an "Personal Identity Concept Web" to include various aspects such as the following:

• Work/hobbies
• Friends/family
• Interests
• Objects/possessions
• Creations
• Choices
• Values
• Beliefs
• Appearances
• Ethnicity
• Practices/habits

Once you have completed your web illustration, go the to following website - Place, Culture, Identity and Difference: 

• After viewing this video, take sixty seconds to complete the following phrases:
• What is my family history?
• What people surround me?
• What traditions do I practice?
• Where do I live?
• Be prepared to discuss your responses during the next tutorial.
• As you begin to formulate an idea of what constitutes a personal identity, you will come to appreciate your uniqueness and other people's differences.

Unit Two - Cultural Identity

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

Go to the ELA 10-2 Forum (discussion) under the "Personal Identity" topic that has been started.
Post your response to the questions listed below, complete with specific reasons.

How much of your identity is formed by your culture?
Within your response, consider to what extent religion, beliefs and values define identity and to what degree location, physical environment and natural surroundings affect identity.

Share what you have written and point out factors of your identities that you believe have played an important role in shaping how you see yourself. Although you are encouraged to share, you are only expected to contribute to your personal level of comfort. To help guide you, your answers should include topics such as race, gender, nationality, activities such as sports, music, religion, culture, socioeconomic status and key life experiences.