This week students are exploring the concept of privilege in different aspects of life. Having privilege means having some form of power through access to goods, services, education, or other resources. Those with privilege may not be aware of how they benefit from it. The document instructs students to complete a chart about their membership in dominant or subordinate groups, and to write a response addressing how privilege has shaped their life opportunities and experiences. They are asked to consider forms of privilege like race, socioeconomic status, and education.

1. This week you are exploring what it means to have
This week you are exploring what it means to have privilege in all aspects of life, whether it
be that you are able to enroll in school and take this course, or that you are able to walk,
type, see, taste, or purchase/have access to groceries. Having privilege also means that you
have power of some sort. Even having access to goods and services can be seen as a
privilege. Discrimination can accompany power and privilege as those who have power and
privilege may not be consciously aware of how they benefit from it.Instructions:First,
Chapter 4 of The Ecology of Diversity (Kahn, 2015) has a “Reflections on Diversity” section
near the end entitled, “Membership in Dominant and Subordinate Groups.” Follow the
instructions provided in the chapter and complete the chart considering who are you are
and what relationships you have with each type of group.Second, write at least three
paragraphs (300 words) addressing the following questions:1) How has privilege, in any/all
forms, shaped your life? Consider race, socioeconomic status, education, and other
associations identified in Week 1.2) Have you been aware of the privileges in your life as
you were growing up? Why or why not?3) As you learn more about privilege, and as you
examine your life, what do you find most interesting or surprising?4) How has privilege
shaped your life opportunities, life chances, experiences, etc.?