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)