What does it mean to say that “race” is socially constructed? How does this construction allow social inequality to be created and maintained? Illustrate your answer with examples of how Indigenous Australians and/or other groups in Australia have experienced discrimination or prejudice on the basis of perceived “racial” characteristics.

The purpose of this assignment is to test your understanding of the material presented in lectures, tutorials and tutorial readings in the course. This essay is worth 40 per cent of your assessment and is due on Sunday, Week 11 by Midnight. It is an expectation that students will consult and utilise at least eight scholarly sources in writing this particular assignment, which should be evident in the in-text referencing and reference list. In addressing any of the set questions, be sure to include a combination of appropriate theory, research data and critical insight in making your argument.

Write a 1500-word essay on one of the following topics:

1. What does it mean to say that “race” is socially constructed? How does this construction allow social inequality to be created and maintained? Illustrate your answer with examples of how Indigenous Australians and/or other groups in Australia have experienced discrimination or prejudice on the basis of perceived “racial” characteristics.