You are to interview someone who is different from you in at least three major identities (gender, race, ethnicity, citizenship, culture, religion, sexuality, etc.) You will gather their life stories and ask questions about their identity construction, their educational experiences, their interactions with peers and friends, their relationships with their parents, and their communities. You are to submit a 3-4 paged paper and discuss the differences and similarities between the two of you.
Guideline for the interview paper
Major organizing principles of society: Gender, race, class, sexuality, culture, religion, citizenship, nationality
Stages of identity development: childhood, primary school, middle class, high school, college or post high school, post college adulthood....
Institutions: family, school, church, work, media.....
I. You need to choose a stranger who is different from you in at least three identities listed above. It is preferable that you don't know this person well and have to get to know this person from scratch.
II. Ask the stranger to give you three major identities that they feel are salient to them right now before you start the interview.
III. Ask them to tell you what they remember about each stage. For example, what do they remember about their childhood? What are some of the memorable things? You should make the questions broad first. If they are having a difficult time narrowing down, then you can ask more specific questions about institutions, such as family, school, church, work, media, etc. For example, you can ask what their experiences were like when they were in high school or what their family relationships were like when they were kids.
IV. After they tell you their stories, ask how these memorable things shape their identities generally or the three identities of their choice in particular? How do their experiences shape who they are and whom they have become then and now?
V. Follow the similar format with each stage of their identity development. Remember, you are using a life history approach and asking questions about a stranger's life history.
VI. When you interview the stranger, reflect upon your own experiences and compare the similarities and differences and ask yourself why there are these similarities and differences.
The paper outline
I. Who is the stranger? Please describe who the stranger is and how/why you decided to choose this person. Please provide sufficient demographic information.
II. What are the identities of his/her choice? Describe how he/she develops his identities or what shapes his/her identities in each stage.
III. What are your shared stories? How do your stories diverge? Please compare the differences and similarities between the two of you and why there exist these similarities and differences.
IV. What does this person's story teach you about inequality, prejudice, discrimination, and privileges? What do you learn from this person?