'Colour Coding' is Skin Deep

A University of Melbourne Final Essay Assignment

Under the Freshman Sociology subject "Understanding Society"

Passed with High Distinction (H1)

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By Benjamin L.C.Y., written during Semester 1, 2011


BEST FIRST YEAR ESSAY


 Melbourne University Arts Students' Society (M-ASS)


Annual Essay Competition 2011


in conjunction with National Australia Bank (NAB)

Tutor's Comments - Dr. Jackson, I.:

Ben, this essay presents an integrated and nuanced overview of the situation with a strong technique and structure. All the technical aspects are good. If anything, the essay could be strengthened by more explicit use of theory in analysis of the role that stereotyping plays, eg. as explored by Goffman, Mead, Cooley and others, and by investigation of the nature and basis of race and ethnicity as constructions. As it is, it is an elegantly written essay that describes [the] key aspects associated with the topic but it doesn't have much 'bite'; perhaps explicit indication of scenario outcomes via statistics of incarcerations [eg. 'Stolen Generations' in Australia], inter-racial marriages etc., thus to ensure it reads clearly as an academic essay rather than an op-piece. Nevertheless, this essay indicates your deep understanding of issues related to the topic nd its overall location within the academic discipline.