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EWS2601 notes
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- University Of South Africa (Unisa)
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EWS 2601NOTES
THEME 1 – US AND THEM IDENTITY
PHENOTYPE : The observational or detectable physical characteristics of an
organism is determined as much by environment as by genetics.
The way people are defined and enacted in different societies is determined by
social and cultural factors
CULTURE is transmitted within societies and individuals learn culture by learning
from and interacting with other people.
WHAT IS IDENTITY?
Defines it as absolute sameness; individuality, personality; condition of being a
specified person.
Social and cultural norms determine how identities are marked and defined.
Identities are often relational – that is you are x (woman) and you are y (man)
Identities are situational – we foreground specific aspects of our identities
depending where we are – at home or at social gathering
We may emphasize our place of kinship network – we are father, mother, etc .
At work we are a worker, a manager, a teacher etc
NATIONAL IDENTITIES
Are shaped by the languages, institutions, and overall cultural milieu that we are
surrounded by.
Firmly based on a political or perceived emotional link to a specific territory
Encompass a wide diversity of ethnic, linguistic and religious groups
Because of specific historical circumstances like colonisation, decolonisation,
conquest and incorporation celebrations and acts to promote allegiance to a national
identity with pledges of allegiances and the national athem
Racial and ethnic loyalities are still the most prevalent sources of identity in SA
,TRANSNATIONAL IDENTITIES
Some forms of identity transcend national boundaries
Transnational identity refers to international communities that form around specific
commonalities such as RELIGION.
There are also large scale secular organisation – Boy Scouts
Often participate in the same activities exp: Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca or the Boy
Scout Jamboree.
Easily expanded because they rely on taught behaviour and active promotion by
existing members
SUBNATIONAL CULTURES
Generally based in regionality, language, class, politics, shared history or religion.
Manty of these are bound up in the concept of ethnicity ( identity linked to an ethnic
group shared language and customs)
United states originated from large scale migration of Germans, Italians, Chinese,
Africans etc. large scale movements are called diasporas with shared geographical
origin to other parts of the world.
ETHNOCENTRISM–
the belief that your own group is the best
An example of national chauvinism is cultural chauvisnism or ethnocentrism.
Tendency to view the culture of one’s own group as superior to others
ASCRIBED ATTRIBUTES – Race & Gender
These attributes are determined at birth by virtue. These include features such as
gender and race.
Although race is nominally based on differences in physical appearance it is
important to remember that it is a social contruct.
Social contruct – the definition and delineation of different races will differ from
society to society depending on social and cultural factors
Variation in human phenotype – our physical appearance
, The way in which these differences are categorised is a product of society rather
than biology.
Gender refers to the roles and identity that are attached to a specific physical
appearance.
Native Americans cultures category of person known as a Berdache ( or “Two
Spirit”). These males usually dress up like females. Assignment of gender categories
is influenced by society.
ACHIEVED ATTRIBUTES
Derived from membership of an association normally voluntary.
Marks people as being motivated by common interest and goals.
These goals include sports, professional association like unions and particular
hobbies.
UNIT 2
Marking identity
Emic names : name chosen by the people themselves.
Etic lable : placed on them by others
Marking identity is both sameness and difference.
Group members may display the same symbols (something verbal or non-verbal,
that arbitrarily, and by convention stands for something else, with which it has no
natural connection.
The meaning ascribed to symbols are culturally and contextually determined and
thus the same symbol may mean different things in different context.
Tangible markers of identity
Are those that can be seen and that may remain behind when the individual is gone.
All human societies use arterfacts to signal belonging to a group.
Clothing – to signify cultural, national, ethnic, religious or subcultural identities
Example: police or fire department wear uniforms
Operates on two levels: the veiling of a woman may signify oppression to
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