This document discusses the topics of race and ethnicity and how they are defined. It examines whether race can be defined biologically based on genetic markers or if it is a social construct. It also looks at how ethnic groups are defined by shared ancestry, language, history, culture and future. The document explores concepts like stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination and racism as well as how the ideas of biological determinism and social constructivism relate to defining race.

1. POL 252-01
Spring 2016

3.  Many questions associated with these topics
 Race and Ethnicity in everyday language
 Used imprecisely
 Do they differ in any meaningful way?
 If so, how and why?

4. This view focuses on genetic “markers”
such as skin color, hair color, and bone structure.
Subpopulations of humans can
be distinguished biologically.
How can race be defined
from a biological standpoint?

7.  Main Characteristics of Ethnic Groups
 Common Kin or Ancestry
 Common Language
 Shared History
 Shared Religion and Culture
 Shared Future or Destiny
 What is “Linked Fate?”

9.  Stereotypes
 Prejudice
 Discrimination
 Racism

12. BIOLOGICAL DETERMINISM SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM