Learning Objectives:
1. Students will explore the formation of their own racial/cultural identities.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of culture, communication, discrimination,
race/racism, power, bias, stereotyping, prejudice, privilege, and intersectionality.
3. Students will reflect on and utilize Aguilar’s Communication Recovery model, and know what to
do when things go wrong; students will learn effective ways to address stereotyping, bias,
prejudice, and to interrupt demeaning, discounting, and discriminatory behaviors
4. Students will demonstrate effective written expression through clear and proper presentation of
ideas.
Content and Format: Instructions:
Your final paper of 6-8 pages requires you to perform methodical research. You are asked to glean your
information from several relevant sources that will lead you to reflect on how your cultural upbringing,
your values, and beliefs have affected the ways in which communication occurred during real-life
interactions or situations you have experienced. This paper is essentially an exploration of what you
“bring to the table” in intercultural interactions since you are at least 50% of any interaction. Be sure
to focus on your cultural background and how it shapes how you communicate.
Reliance solely on the Internet is not in your best interests. Additionally, while you will be using “I”
statements, comments such as “I feel that……” are not advised in this essay. Instead of personal
opinions, there should be citations that document support for the ideas that you discuss.
Paper format and references should follow the APA format, and please be mindful of the penalty for
plagiarism. If your paper is plagiarized, you will earn a failure.
2
While students are required to use readings from class, and incorporate the Glossary of Terminologies
and Concepts, there should be at least 5 sources from peer-reviewed literature that were not used in-class readings. Use the York College online Library and/or Google Scholar to locate articles.
APA Help: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ for the APA Formatting and Style Guide.
Please note: If you need help with writing you are to go to York College’s Collaborative Learning Center –
AC-1C18 if you are on campus. You may also visit the Writing Center at yorkcollege.mywconline.com.
Your paper should be structured as follows:
(1) Title Page – The title page should contain the title of the paper, the student’s name,
the college name, the course title and section, the professor’s name, and the date.
(2) Abstract Page (optional)
(3) Body: This must be at least six to eight full pages, using 12 pt. Times New Roman font, double-spaced
and with 1” margins at the top, bottom, and sides. A paper of this length must have a subheading for each of
the four categories listed below.
(4) Reference Page or Works Cited Page.
Here are the required subheadings:
1. Exploration of Cultural Identity Formation
2. Impact of Prejudice, Privilege, Discrimination
3. Communication Recovery
4. My Plan for Sustained Improvement: 2 Techniques for Taking Action
We bring our background, personal worldview, and values to the workplace, school environment, and
even our personal relationships. This assignment is designed to help students explore their own
racial/cultural identity formations. Reflect on own racial/ethnic cultural identity and intersectionality
(race, class, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, religion/spirituality). Apply the information
from your assigned readings and your understanding of culture, communication, power, discrimination,
bias, stereotyping, prejudice, and privilege.
Exploration of Cultural Identity Formation:
1. Describe your racial/ethnic and cultural background (race, class, ethnicity, age, gender,
sexual orientation, religion, and belief systems), including intersecting identities/oppressions,
and explain how you formed your cultural identity. Review your Cultural Background
Worksheet completed on Week II/Module II and use that content as your introduction. 2. What are your multiple identities and where do they intersect? 3. Are there identities you wear at different times due to comfort, safety, etc.? 4. What are the sources of cohesion, strength, stress, discord, and struggle that are evident as
the result of your multiple identities? 5. Do you see yourself and your multiple identities mirrored in literature and in the media? Is it
accurate or inaccurate and what is that like for you? 6. What did you learn about race/ethnicity (and other elements of your identity) from your
family when you were little? How does that message affect you now as an adult? 7. Within your home, were there implicit or explicit rules of behavior for your gender, age, etc.? How has this impacted how you present yourself? How has it impacted your worldview
around these identities? 8. What impact do your identities have on your communication and understanding of how you
might work with people of other identities? In other words, how do your identities get in
the way of your work and/or schooling (Example: Many cultures have a strict, gender-based
division of labor. If you were raised as a man in such a culture, how may that upbringing
hinder you from doing a college group project that includes women)? Note that this last
question helps you transition to the next subheading. Begin to tell a story of the experience.
Impact of Discrimination, Prejudice, and Privilege
– Describe a past instance of discrimination, stereotyping, privilege, and/or prejudice (racism,
classism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, ableism, ageism, etc.), which occurred at school
or work. Describe how you reacted.
– You may also choose to write about one of those times in which you unintentionally did or
said something offensive or discriminatory that you regretted, when you demeaned,
discounted, or excluded someone. Explain how the other person reacted towards you.
Communication Recovery
– Make a transition on how you would act or react differently. With reference to the story you
captured above, use the six-step Communication Recovery Model (Chapter 2, Ouch That
Stereotype Hurts, Aguilar 2006) to articulate what you would say or do differently now if this
happened again (be sure to identify each step clearly).
My Plan for Sustained Improvement: Techniques for Taking Action
– How can you use this experience for taking action?
– In reviewing the 12 techniques for taking action without blame or guilt (Chapter 3, Ouch,
That Stereotype Hurts, Aguilar 2006), choose two techniques that you believe will work best
in any situation, specifically two you want to practice and use in the future. Explain why you
have chosen the two, out of 12 strategies
Be sure
to focus on your cultural background and how it shapes how you communicate.
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