This paper asks you to take the theoretical concepts of race and ethnicity, as well as the notions about the history of race and ethnicity that we have developed through the first few weeks of the course, and apply them to your own family history.
You should provide a narration of how you came to be in Florida (or wherever your hometown is) that stretches back at least four generations.
While I do not need specific genealogical information, you should provide a general sense of where your family comes from and how you got to where you are today.
In this narration, relying on lecture notes and course readings, you should discuss changing conceptions of race and ethnicity that have affected your family.
These changes may be changes that your family faced when migrating across national or state boundaries, or they may be general cultural shifts.
Conclude by explaining how the history of your family and the cultural ideas around race, ethnicity, and/or migration have affected how you view yourself in the 21st century.
If you feel uncomfortable disclosing this information about yourself, you are welcome to interview a friend or family member to write this paper.
Just clearly indicate at the top of your paper that you have chosen to use an interview.
Introduction (30 points): Who did you interview for this paper, what is your and your family’s background, and any other basic information that the reader should know.
The main body of the work (80 points): What did you find out after investigating your family’s immigration history? What are some of the key findings in regard of race, ethnicity, and culture? Present anything that you find interesting here in the section with clear structure and organization.
Conclusion (30 points): How does this investigation impact your understanding of race and ethnicity in the 21st century? How does it affect how you view yourself today?
