This document discusses race and ethnicity from biological and social perspectives. Biologically, while some genetic traits can distinguish populations, there is more variation within groups than between them and no clear dividing lines between subgroups. Socially, ethnicity is defined by shared ancestry, language, history, religion, culture and sense of linked fate rather than biology alone. The document also mentions concepts like stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination and racism.

1. POL 252-01
Spring 2016

4.  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?

6. 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.  #1: Continuous Nature
of GeneticTraits
 #2: Intra-GroupVariation
 #3: No Subgroups

10.  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?”

12.  Stereotypes
 Prejudice
 Discrimination
 Racism

15. BIOLOGICAL DETERMINISM SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM