Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:

Investigative Assignment #2 – Learn about the concept of identity 
Part A. Talk with three people (friends, peers, co-workers, family or strangers) about their background. The goal is to learn about the many ways people define themselves, beyond just using race/ethnicity, gender, or language, for example, and to learn how social context influences identity. Identity can be personal. Your interviews might be more detailed and interesting if you talk to people who you already know and who would be comfortable talking with you. Ask them the following questions. Feel free to ask others. 
1)  Ask them to describe their background, where they grew up, including ethnic, racial, and/or linguistic background and culture. 

2)  If you could only use three words to describe your identity, what would those three words be and why? Be sure to ask what or who has influenced their identity, for example, family, particular life experiences, friends or peers, media, educational experiences, work experiences, etc. 

3)  Think about how you’ve changed from childhood, to adolescence, to adulthood. Has your identity changed over time? Why or why not? If yes, what or who has influenced those changes to your identity? 

4)  Do you think, in general, that people in your life – from school, work, family, friends – see you in the same way as you see yourself? Why or why not? 


Part B. In approximately 5 double-spaced pages with 1-inch margins, answer the following. You must use the following format and be sure to label each section as #1, #2, and #3 in your paper: 
Section #1 – In approximately 2 pages, describe who you talked to (no names, use friend, mother, cousin, husband, partner, etc.) and then summarize your conversation with each person. 
Section #2 – In approximately 1 1⁄2 -2 pages, thinking about your own identity, answer the interview questions above from your perspective and experiences. For some of you, reflecting on your identity might be a new experience. There is no right or wrong answer. Just be honest and real. 
Section #3 - In 1 -1 1⁄2 pages, use lecture material and at least one reading from week 5 to discuss what you learned about the concepts of culture, social context, and identity. You must refer to specific points in the reading and lecture. Only use readings and lecture material that relate to your interviews and to yourself. You must refer to specific points in your interviews or about yourself as you discuss connections to week 5 material. Think about any connections between the readings and the interviews. Think about whether or not your interviews (including your interview with yourself) seem similar to the points in the readings or lecture, or if they contradict any of the points we discussed in week 5.