Explain how diversity has emerged as an important (academic, political, etc.) issue in the US in particular or in the contemporary world at large.

Based on this week’s (week 2) course material (PPT slides, lecture videos, discussion board posting and readings), answer any five of the following questions.  Your response to each question must be between minimum of half a page and maximum of one full page (double spaced) or 300-500 words/question.  

Each Question is worth 2 points (total assignment value is 10 points)

1. Explain how diversity has emerged as an important (academic, political, etc.) issue in the US in particular or in the contemporary world at large.

2. After briefly describing some of the oppositions to neoliberalism, critically comment on whether or not any of these oppositions is justified.

3. Explain the differences between assimilation, pluralism and multiculturalism as successive policies pertaining to cultural diversity in the US.  Critically comment on the advantages and limitations of each approach.

4. Kottak and Kozaitis consider multiculturalism the ‘master movement’. Explain what they mean by this and explain why you would agree or disagree with their analysis of multiculturalism in the US.

5. Explain how identity politics is related to globalization. Give specific examples from the text or your experience.

6. .  Elaborate on Ida Susser’s (reading posted in Canvas) argument that the concept of the United States itself has a history of shifting frontiers and contested boundaries (3 points).

Please submit only a PDF or MS word version via Canvas (do not e-mail your response). Note that only a PDF word version will be graded and any other format will be considered a missed assignment and thus will count as zero after one warning!