This thesis investigates the phenomenon known as a Maori ethnic identity. The topic is investigated using personal interviews and the findings are reported by way of personal narrative. Eight informants were interviewed. All presently identify as Maori and have arrived at this point following a diverse range of experiences. The thesis documents these experiences and those things that are important to them on a personal level. As such, this thesis investigates the topic of Maori ethnicity as it pertains to a group of individuals, not to Maoridom as a whole. It was found that no single paradigm could be applied to my informant�s conception of identity. Each constructed their identity in a unique way. Integral to all identities, however, was the use of both cultural and biological factors. In constructing and maintaining their identities as Maori my informants looked firstly to the presence of ancestry and, following from this cultural practices were employed. The use of ancestry as a basis of identity, and the causal attributes associated with it (such as natural leanings towards the use of Maori language), represent essentialist tendencies on the part of many of my informants. Also of great interest was the perception, by many of my informants, that cultural traits were innate. This is described as a Lamarckian way of viewing ethnicity.

Thesis (M.IC.)--Unitec New Zealand, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-108).

<p>Syftet med detta examensarbete var att belysa hur modersmålslärare och elever upplever modersmålsundervisningen i den stad där vi valt att göra vår undersökning. Metoden som användes var intervjuer med tio elever och två lärare inom modersmålsundervisningen. Definieringen av modersmål var enligt lärarna språket man talar hemma. Modersmålslärarna upplevde sin arbetssituation som positiv. Modersmålslärarna och deras elever var överens om att det inte fanns några nackdelar med modersmålsundervisningen. Däremot såg informanterna flera fördelar med undervisningen, bland annat visar det att den stärker eleverna språkligt. Resultaten visar att i skolorna där undersökningen gjordes fungerade modersmålsundervisningen bättre än förväntat efter att ha läst olika litteratur. Slutsatsen är att modersmålslärarna, eleverna och deras föräldrar är till största delen nöjda med modersmålsundervisningen.</p>

<p>Kvinnor har visats vara mer empatiska än män vid självskattning samt att vita och svarta barn känner mer empati för en målperson med samma hudfärg. Denna studies syfte var att undersöka om män och kvinnor kände olika mycket empati beroende på målpersonens etni-citet, om det fanns några könsskillnader i empati samt om något av könen väckte mer empati. Deltagarna var 208 män och kvinnor med svensk och invandrarbakgrund, majoriteten studerade på Mälardalens högskola. Resultatet visade en signifikant disordinal interaktion där svenska deltagare visade högre empati för en svensk målperson än vad de gjorde för en invandrad och invandrardeltagare visade högre empati för en invandrad målperson än vad de gjorde för en svensk. Ingen huvudeffekt för empati och deltagarnas etnicitet fanns. Män uppvisade signifikant lägre empati än kvinnor. Inget av könen väckte signifikant mer empati. Vikten av upplevd likhet mellan målperson och empatisör diskuterades och vidare forskning med äldre deltagare föreslogs.</p>

In this thesis, I explore experiences with my identity, looking at the identity people have seen me as, who I've thought I was, and the identities my mother's and father's different family backgrounds suggest I should be. I have divided this discussion into three main areas: my complexion, the first time I became aware of racial differences while living on Stats Street in Las Vegas, and my stay at Fort Dix, New Jersey during Army Basic Training. I explore my complexion first because it has been the biggest factor in my own understanding of my identity. Because of my darker complexion. I've been mistaken as Mexican, Cuban, Filipino, and African-American, and judged (misjudged) accordingly. It has often branded me as a "trouble maker" and made me feel ugly and inferior to my white friends. In the thesis' middle section, I look specifically at my stay on Stats Street, in a lower income housing "project." During my stay there, all of my neighbors, except one, were African American. I felt a constant barrier between me and my neighbors because of skin color and the different ideologies and lifestyles I came in contact with there. Finally, I look at a period of my life when I was forced to live among a very diverse group of people. In the Army, I was seen as a kind of anomaly because I didn't fit into the naturally occurring groups that formed. Through my entire discussion, I attempt to present a metaphor for the ever-changing and ever-creating process of identity that I've seen myself go through and continue to go through: mending walls and tearing walls down. I present a notion of identity, and ethnicity, that is in flux for everyone, one that is constantly being constructed and deconstructed. I do not attempt to enter into the discussions on ethnicity in order to offer a way to approach ethnicity or multiculturalism, but I do offer my discussion here as a process of one Japanese-Hawaiian, Cherokee Indian man who is still searching for his identity yet has begun to understand, at least, his own process of identity. / Graduation date: 1996

This study identified some of the ways that multiethnic women describe their ethnic identities, how they perceive ethnic-specific gender identities and what they think are appropriate norms for, and effective outcomes of, communicative behavior. Twelve multiethnic women described their ethnic identity names or labels, and ethnic-specific gender identities; they also recalled a recent situation in which inappropriate ethnic-relevant conversational behaviors occurred. These multiethnic women were found to share an average of nearly six situations in which ethnic identity is most important; the most frequently reported situation being constantly. They significantly differed in respect to the names or labels, and descriptors they used to define and describe their multiethnic identities. The 12 respondents unanimously stated that there are different expectations for women and men within the ethnicities that they identified as components of their multiethnicity. The most frequently cited situation in which it is most important for them to intensify their gender identity is during celebratory occasions and at home or with family. 10 of the total 12 respondents perceive that their gender identity is shared by a large number of other people. Recently recalled conversations indicate that work and employment-related individuals specifically discussing ethnicity, most frequently used inappropriate communicative behaviors. The most frequently reported situation in which they intensify their multiethnic identities is while being with other ethnic ingroup members, though 75% of them indicated that their particular definition of their ethnic identity was shared by only a small number of other people. Nearly 70% responded that they very often--on a daily or weekly basis--experience others' violation of rules for competent communication. The most frequently cited recommendations they made for others to be more competent communicators were: 1) get informed/take some ethnicity classes, and don't be so harsh; 2) give individuals credit for being unique and diverse; 3) be polite/respectful; 4) recognize and refrain from stereotyping; 5) don't be prejudiced and change feelings/perceptions about ethnicized individuals & groups; 6) don't assume, approach individuals directly and don't discriminate. / Graduation date: 1994

There was no abstract conception of religion in antiquity, but religious beliefs and praxis were closely intertwined with ethnicity in the Greco-Roman period. Building on the groundbreaking studies by Denise Kimber Buell, this thesis investigates the use of ethnic reasoning in centrist Christian identity formation in the second century CE. Specifically, I closely examine four different Christian texts (1 Peter, the Epistle of Barnabas, Justin Martyrs Dialogue with Trypho the Judaean and the Epistle to Diognetus) to show how the centrist Christian elites utilized ethnic reasoning to construct a distinct Christian ethnic identity and to manufacture sharp differences between Christians and Judaeans. In order to defend the idea of a homogenous Christian ethnic identity with pure origins,centrist Christian intellectuals re-appropriated the legacy of Israel and represented the Judaeans as an adversarial foil. This rhetorical strategy of othering characterizes the Christian Adversus Ioudaios literature.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 171-187).

Both universal and regional international instruments seek to maintain and to strengthen peace and security through the development of friendly and co-operative relations between equally sovereign states respecting human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. <br>History shows that failure to respect minority rights can undermine stability within states and negatively affect relations between states, thus endangering international peace. While minority situations vary greatly and the ordinary democratic process may be adequate to respond to the needs and aspirations of minorities, experience also shows that special measures are often required to facilitate the effective participation of minorities in public life. The article analyzes the contribution of international law to this field.

Tanzania is amongst other things known for its ethnic diversity. In 1987 it was established that Tanzania had 130 different African ethnic groups. Despite the ethnic diversity Tanzania is successful in acceptance and famous for being a country in peace. Peoples identity creation is a constantly evolving process and is therefore difficult to define and categorize. Despite that this essay aims to get an understanding of Tanzanians cultural integration. How do people define themselves in terms of their own identity? What matter the most, is it religion, the local or national community? How important is the ethnic inheritance in the urban society? Is it one or more of these categorizations that people have a stronger connection to. How important is the language and the ability to communicate with each other to maintain a peaceful stability? These questions where asked to inhabitants of the town Babati which is situated in the northern parts of Tanzania. The interviews took place during a three week long field study February – March 2010.