Part I: Definitions (60/100 Marks): Answer All Of The ✓ Solved

Part I: Definitions (60/100 marks): Answer all of the

PART I: Definitions: Answer all of the following in your own words (no quotations allowed), with correct and thorough source citations:

a) Define the term (2.5 points)

b) Briefly explain the relevance of the term in relation to course material (10 points)

c) Give ONE illustrative example of the term, explaining briefly how it applies. Your example may be drawn from whatever sources you choose, e.g., course readings, lectures, etc. (2.5 points).

Topics:

  • Colonial tropes of animalization (15 marks) - Word count maximum: 300 words.
  • Normalization vs. Naturalization (15 marks) - Word count maximum: 300 words.
  • Nature-nurture debate (15 marks) - Word count maximum: 300 words.
  • Eugenics (15 marks) - Word count maximum: 300 words.

PART 2: Essay question: Instructions: Using only course material, with thorough and correct source citation, answer the following essay question in your own words (no quotations allowed). Specific point breakdown is noted. Word count maximum for this question: 600 words.

Please separate your answer into sections a, b, c, and d.

  • a) Define global North and global South (5 points).
  • b) What is Eurocentrism? Is it synonymous with racism? (5 points).
  • c) How is Eurocentrism relevant to Stuart Hall's discussion of the concept of the "West and the Rest," (15 points)
  • d) The Mercator vs. Peter maps (15 points)?

Readings:

  • Williams, “Empire as a Way of Life,” 81-88
  • Felix Greene, “How It Began,” 88-97
  • Jerry Kloby, “The Legacy of Colonialism,” 99-107
  • Colonialism in Africa, 1914 (map)
  • Wainaina, “How to Write About Africa,” 1-3
  • Stuart Hall (1992), “The West and the Rest: Discourse and Power,” in Formations of Modernity
  • Nancy Scheper-Hughes, “Human traffic: exposing the brutal organ trade,” New Internationalist, May, 2014
  • Amrita Pande, “‘At Least I Am Not Sleeping with Anyone’: Resisting the Stigma of Commercial Surrogacy in India,” Feminist Studies
  • Dorothy Roberts, “Killing the Black Body”
  • Anna Davin, “Imperialism and Motherhood,” 60-65
  • Frank Dikotter, “Race Culture: Recent Perspectives on the History of Eugenics,” 66-68
  • Evelynn M. Hammonds, “New Technologies of Race,” 69-74
  • Ruth Hubbard, “Race and Sex as Biological Categories”
  • Robert Salpolsky, “Testosterone Rules”
  • Courtney Ariel, “For Our White Friends Desiring to Be Allies,” Soujourners, August 16, 2017

Paper For Above Instructions

Colonial Tropes of Animalization:

The term “colonial tropes of animalization” refers to the portrayal of colonized peoples as subhuman or animal-like. This concept is significant within colonial discourse, as it provided justification for imperial domination and exploitation. In the context of colonial literature and art, indigenous populations were depicted in ways that emphasized their supposed barbarism and savagery. Such representations facilitated the dehumanization necessary for colonial powers to impose their authority without moral resistance (Hammonds, 2019).

An illustrative example can be found in early European colonial narratives that described African peoples in terms similar to animals. For instance, Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” employs animal imagery to portray the African continent as wild and uncivilized (Dikötter, 2008). This perception served to legitimize the brutalities of colonial rule, framing them as a civilizing mission.

Normalization vs. Naturalization:

Normalization refers to the process through which certain behaviors, ideas, or perceptions become acceptable and standard within a society. Conversely, naturalization involves interpreting socially constructed differences as inherent or biological. Significantly, these processes often intersect, reinforcing prevailing socio-political structures (Roberts, 1997).

An illustrative example of normalization can be seen in contemporary media representations of women, where specific beauty standards are perpetuated as the ideal. This normalization impacts societal expectations, influencing behaviors related to self-image and identity (Hubbard, 1995). On the other hand, the naturalization of gender roles often manifests in the justification of gender inequalities through the guise of “biological differences,” perpetuating harmful stereotypes (Pande, 2016).

Nature-Nurture Debate:

The nature-nurture debate centers on the relative influence of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) in determining human behavior and intelligence. This discussion is pivotal in fields such as psychology, sociology, and genetics, as it examines the underlying factors that shape individuals (Kloby, 2015).

An illustrative example of this debate can be found in the discourse surrounding intelligence. Some scholars argue that intelligence is primarily biologically determined, while others assert that environmental factors such as education and socio-economic status play a critical role. The enduring complexity of this debate highlights the importance of understanding both genetic predispositions and the influence of cultural and social contexts (Davin, 2018).

Eugenics:

Eugenics is a social philosophy advocating for the improvement of human genetic traits through selective breeding. Historically, eugenics has been utilized to promote racial purity and reduce perceived social ills, often leading to ethical violations and discrimination (Ariel, 2017).

An illustrative example of eugenics can be observed in the early 20th century when many countries implemented sterilization laws targeting marginalized populations (Greene, 2007). This practice was justified by claims of improving societal health; however, it often led to systematic discrimination and violation of human rights.

Global North and Global South:

The terms Global North and Global South are utilized to delineate socio-economic and political disparities between developed and developing nations. The Global North typically includes wealthier nations in Europe and North America, while the Global South encompasses primarily lower-income countries in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia (Williams, 2012).

Eurocentrism:

Eurocentrism is an ideological perspective that prioritizes European culture and history at the expense of other cultures. This viewpoint often overlaps with racial ideologies but is not synonymous with racism, as it can be applied to various ethnocentric attitudes (Scheper-Hughes, 2014).

Relevance to Stuart Hall's "West and the Rest":

Stuart Hall's discussion of "West and the Rest" critically examines how Eurocentrism shapes collective identities in a global context. It highlights the construction of “the Other” in relation to Western civilization, influencing power dynamics and cultural representations (Hall, 1992).

The Mercator vs. Peters Maps:

The Mercator and Peters maps serve as visual manifestations of Eurocentric perspectives on geography. The Mercator projection exaggerates the size of Europe and North America, while the Peters projection presents a more equitable representation of landmass sizes, challenging conventional Eurocentric views (Kloby, 2015).

References

  • Ariel, C. (2017). For Our White Friends Desiring to Be Allies. Soujourners.
  • Davin, A. (2018). Imperialism and Motherhood. In Gender and Empire, 60-65.
  • Dikötter, F. (2008). Race Culture: Recent Perspectives on the History of Eugenics.
  • Greene, F. (2007). How It Began. In The Colonial Legacy, 88-97.
  • Hall, S. (1992). The West and the Rest: Discourse and Power. In Formations of Modernity.
  • Hammonds, E. M. (2019). New Technologies of Race. In Race and Society, 69-74.
  • Kloby, J. (2015). The Legacy of Colonialism. In Studies in Colonial History, 99-107.
  • Pande, A. (2016). Resisting the Stigma of Commercial Surrogacy in India. Feminist Studies, 36.
  • Roberts, D. (1997). Killing the Black Body.
  • Williams, R. (2012). Empire as a Way of Life.

Related Assignments