Introduction to the Social Sciences and Critical Thinking

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University of Cape Town

Faculty of Humanities

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Assignment 1 - Identity

Stuart Duncan

DNCSTU001

Introduction to the Social Sciences and Critical Thinking

DOH100F

Elby

Tut: 4K

19th March 2004

  1. I know that plagiarism is wrong. Plagiarism is to use another author’s work and to pretend that it is one’s own.

  1. I have used the (insert) convention for citation and referencing. Each significant contribution to, and quotation in, this essay from the work, or works, of other people has been acknowledged through citation and reference

  1. This essay is my own work.

  1. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as his or her own work.

  1. I have done the word processing and formatting of this assignment myself. I understand that the correct formatting is part of the mark for this assignment and that it is therefore wrong for another person to do it for me.

                             

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Paragraph 1: Introduction

  • Through careful analysis of what one’s identity is, the forms it takes and the powers that influence its formation, I hope to answer the following question:

Do we have absolute control over the development of our identities or is it governed by the perceptions of those around us?

  • I will do this by proposing and opposing various views, introducing ideas and examples from my own knowledge and experience, analyzing them and giving my conclusion at the end.
  • Identities, as much as the perceptions of beauty, are in the eyes of the beholders. Shaped and molded by them too, we often have very little control over the construction of our identities.

Paragraph 2: ids are socially constructed.

  • The construction of identities is more often than not attributed to the way in which people perceive you and your personality
  • Activities one participates in have their own identities and this identity is transferred or incorporated into ones own identity.
  • Some even have stigmas attached (male ballet dancers) I am a male dancer and there is a very big stigma attached. Whenever it is brought up I receive looks of incredulity or disbelief. This has had an effect on the way in which people perceive me and as a result, my identity
  • Views and beliefs (your own and others) have influence on shaping your identity I am an agnostic Christian and with this comes its own identity.
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Paragraph 3: symbols’ role in construction of id.

  • Symbols possess their own identity.
  • People who use the symbol of The Star of David are most likely Jewish and their identities are immediately related to that of the Jewish faith.
  • In a way symbols are convey the identity of the object or group which they represent.
  • The school I attended, has a very distinctive badge, this badge conveys the identity of the school and identifies the wearers as members.
  • Prefects tie???

Paragraph 4: What control do we have in shaping our identities

  • Through out ...

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