Oppression Among American Indians Through the Lens of Constructivism and Postmodernism
Part II: Theory Paper and Presentation (30 points)
Part II includes both (a) an individual theory paper and (b) a joint PowerPoint presentation on your selected theory. Note: For Part II in most cases, you will work with one partner, based on the number of students in the course. Here are the 10 theories that are to be presented:
- Strengths Perspective and Resiliency
- Person-in-Environment and Ecological Theory
- Culturally Grounded Theory
- Structural Functionalism
- Constructivism and Postmodernism
- Intersectionality Theory
- Conflict Theory (Marxist/Neo-Marxist)
- Feminist Theory
- Critical Race Theory
- Minority Stress Model
11. Liberation Pedagogy, Praxis, and Conscientization (Freire)
12. (optional topic, TBA)
- a. Individual Theory Paper (20 points)
After discussing major concepts associated with your chosen theory, apply the theory’s central concepts directly to the population group you identified, to further explain the oppressive condition(s), as well as relevant psychosocial, social, economic, and/or environmental justice factors that may cause or perpetuate oppression, discrimination, prejudice, etc. Incorporate a minimum of three (3) recent (2013-present) scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles. These should be different than the articles selected for the Context paper.
- Briefly discuss the major concepts of your chosen theory.
- Use the theory to:
- Explain the oppressive condition(s).
- Explain psychosocial factors that cause or perpetuate the issue.
- Describe issues related to social, economic, and/or environmental justice that impact this population group.
- Explore possible solutions to the problem that relate to the selected theory.
Formatting ( pts): Write in third person, double spaced. No cover page or running heads. Place your name on the first page of the paper and add page numbers.
Grammar and APA ( pts): You may run your paper through www.grammarly.com and/or obtain tutoring from YSU’s Writing Center. You are expected to incorporate in-text citations. The last page of the paper is the
References page. Be sure to proofread against APA formatting guidelines prior to submission.
- Theoretical PowerPoint Presentation (10 pts)
A list of theories to select from and their scheduled presentation dates will be provided in Blackboard. Each presentation is expected to be by 1-2 students. Your instructor will work with pairing students. If you are presenting with another student, each of you is to apply the same theory to your separate population group. Wherever possible, one of the people in each pair should be in field placement. Each member will receive the same grade.
- Formatting: Minimum six, maximum 12 PowerPoint slides. Choose good contrast between type and background; no yellow, green, red, orange type, etc. Do not include more than 6-8 lines of type per slides. 2 points: Formatting, legibility, and contrast.
- Slide 1: Name of Theory, Name of Presenters (1 pt)
- Slides 2-3+: A mini-lesson on the theory. Describe theory and its relationship to oppressive conditions that affect all group members’ client population groups identified in Part I Context Paper. (4 pts)
- Slides 4-5+: Application of Theory: Describe how each group member related the theory to their individual population group. (4 pts)
- Slide 6+: Describe how each group member contributed to the group effort and slide presentation. (1 pts)
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Exploring Oppression Among American Indians Through the Lens of Constructivism and Postmodernism
This study looks into the injustice American Indians have faced; as a group, they have a long history of being left out and treated badly in the United States. This paper will use the concepts of constructivism and postmodernism to examine the issue. These sociological theories offer different views on the unfair situations, psychosocial factors, and problems with social, economic, and environmental fairness that American Indians face. This paper sheds light on the complicated nature of oppression and suggests possible solutions based on the theory using data from research sources.
Major Concepts of Constructivism and Postmodernism
Constructivism
Constructivism is a sociology theory that focuses on how people's and groups' thoughts, ideas, and experiences shape and form social reality. Several important ideas are at the heart of constructivism's theory structure (Thomas et al., 2014). The constructivist point of view can be understood and analyzed using the following ideas as building blocks.
Social Construction
The idea of social construction says that how American Indians connect with and think about others shapes their identity, culture, and social rank. Throughout history, American Indian life has been shaped by dominant groups in the US (Thomas et al., 2014). By directing the story and how American Indians are shown, they have kept up stereotypes and biases that have pushed American Indians to the edges and taken away their power. The idea that many Americans are "savage" or "uncivilized" has led to land theft, forced integration, and the loss of their practices and customs. The way American Indians are treated as "others" in society has worsened their treatment.
Discourse and Power
Discourse and power are key in Constructivism's depiction of American Indians. The prevalent discourse about American Indians has altered public views, social hierarchies, and power dynamics (Thomas et al., 2014). American Indians have been suppressed by destructive stereotypes and narratives that portray them as inferior, exoticized, or insignificant. This rhetoric allows powerful people to dictate legislation, control resources, and dominate American Indian communities (Thomas et al., 2014). The relationship between rhetoric and power has perpetuated American Indian oppression, disempowerment, and inequity.
Identity and Self-Perception
Constructivism shows how others' perceptions and treatment of American Indians shape their identity and self-perception. American Indians have a complex self-identity shaped by tenacity, cultural pride, and the quest for recognition throughout centuries of oppression (Suhendi & Purwarno, 2018). Their self-identity is shaped by how the dominant culture and their communities have treated them. American Indians' self-perception is complicated by dispossession, prejudice, and cultural suppression. They often feel a great connection to their ancestry and fight for cultural preservation (Suhendi & Purwarno, 2018). Their social surroundings shape their self-identity, which others' judgments and treatment have shaped.
Postmodernism
Postmodernism may be characterized as a theoretical framework that critically interrogates overarching narratives, scrutinizes the reliability of information, and prioritizes the diversity of viewpoints. Postmodernism encompasses several key notions that are important to its theoretical framework.
Pluralism and Diversity
Postmodernism stresses that there are many stories and facts and that they often contradict each other. This idea brings out the huge range of events among American Indians, showing how diverse their groups are (Holtzhausen, 2013). There are many different American Indian countries with different languages, cultures, and current situations. Trying to fit all of these different experiences into one story is not only enough but also keeps these groups in unjust situations (Holtzhausen, 2013). It is important to recognize and value this variety if the world wants to show how rich American Indian cultures and histories are.
Deconstruction
The basic tenet of postmodernism is the practice of deconstruction, which involves critically examining and analysing dominant narratives and power structures. This practice involves questioning and opposing the oppressive narrative of American Indians. Deconstructing stereotypes and inaccurate representations is essential to countering damaging attitudes that justify their abuse (Holtzhausen, 2013). Deconstruction also requires re-evaluating policies, laws, and structures perpetuating inequality, providing an opportunity to right historical wrongs.
Agency and Resistance
Postmodernism acknowledges the agency and struggle of oppressed people. The American Indian community has a rich history of resistance and activism to recover their rights and assert their identity (Holtzhausen, 2013). Despite enduring centuries of tyranny, they spearheaded campaigns focused on tribal sovereignty, land reclamation, and cultural restoration. The act of acknowledging and enhancing the voices of American Indians contributes ...