HUMN 304 Multi-Ethnic Humanities Practice Test
Sample Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the concept of “cultural pluralism”?
a) The dominance of one culture over all others
b) The blending of cultures into a single, unified identity
c) The coexistence of multiple cultures while maintaining their distinctiveness
d) The forced assimilation of minority cultures into a dominant one
Answer: c) The coexistence of multiple cultures while maintaining their distinctiveness
Explanation: Cultural pluralism refers to the coexistence of various cultures in a society, where each culture maintains its unique characteristics while coexisting peacefully with others.
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that primarily focused on:
a) Political activism in the African American community
b) The promotion of African American art, literature, and music
c) Economic reform for African American communities
d) The spread of Christianity among African Americans
Answer: b) The promotion of African American art, literature, and music
Explanation: The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural and artistic movement in the early 20th century that celebrated African American culture, particularly through music, literature, and art.
Which philosopher is known for his concept of “the other,” which explores how minorities are often marginalized in society?
a) Immanuel Kant
b) Michel Foucault
c) Jean-Paul Sartre
d) Karl Marx
Answer: c) Jean-Paul Sartre
Explanation: Sartre’s concept of “the other” refers to how society often views minority groups as objects, denying them subjectivity and the ability to define themselves.
Which event played a key role in the civil rights movement in the United States during the 1960s?
a) The signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
b) The establishment of the United Nations
c) The end of World War II
d) The start of the Great Depression
Answer: a) The signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Explanation: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark law that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and played a crucial role in advancing the civil rights movement.
The concept of “intersectionality” was first coined by:
a) bell hooks
b) Kimberlé Crenshaw
c) Audre Lorde
d) Judith Butler
Answer: b) Kimberlé Crenshaw
Explanation: Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced the concept of intersectionality, which examines how various forms of social stratification, such as race, class, gender, and others, intersect to impact people’s experiences of oppression.
Which of the following terms refers to the process by which a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture?
a) Assimilation
b) Segregation
c) Integration
d) Pluralism
Answer: a) Assimilation
Explanation: Assimilation is the process through which a minority group gradually adopts the customs and behaviors of the dominant culture, often losing its original cultural traits in the process.
Which writer is associated with the concept of “the American Dream” and its impact on minorities?
a) Zora Neale Hurston
b) F. Scott Fitzgerald
c) Langston Hughes
d) James Baldwin
Answer: b) F. Scott Fitzgerald
Explanation: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby” is often seen as a critique of the American Dream, particularly how it excludes minority groups and perpetuates inequality.
Which of the following is a major theme in the literature of Native American authors?
a) The quest for political power
b) The relationship between nature and spiritual beliefs
c) Economic exploitation
d) The immigrant experience
Answer: b) The relationship between nature and spiritual beliefs
Explanation: Many Native American authors explore the deep connection between nature, spirituality, and culture in their writings, reflecting traditional beliefs about the earth and human existence.
Which of the following best describes the term “diaspora”?
a) The forced migration of people from one region to another
b) The voluntary migration of people seeking better economic opportunities
c) The dispersion of any people from their original homeland
d) The blending of different ethnicities within a community
Answer: c) The dispersion of any people from their original homeland
Explanation: Diaspora refers to the movement, migration, or scattering of a people away from their homeland, often due to conflict, colonization, or slavery.
The concept of “white privilege” refers to:
a) The benefits and advantages that white people receive in society due to their racial identity
b) The legal and political rights afforded to all citizens regardless of race
c) The preferential treatment given to people of color in education and employment
d) The increased opportunities for white people in international diplomacy
Answer: a) The benefits and advantages that white people receive in society due to their racial identity
Explanation: White privilege refers to the societal advantages that white individuals experience, often unconsciously, simply because of their race, which allows them to avoid certain challenges that people of color may face.
In the context of multicultural education, which of the following is emphasized?
a) Teaching all students the same way, regardless of their background
b) Incorporating perspectives from diverse cultures into the curriculum
c) Limiting the study of minority cultures to avoid conflict
d) Focusing only on mainstream culture in the educational setting
Answer: b) Incorporating perspectives from diverse cultures into the curriculum
Explanation: Multicultural education aims to include diverse cultural perspectives, helping students understand and appreciate the variety of cultural experiences in society.
Which of the following best describes the idea of “cultural appropriation”?
a) The exchange of cultural ideas between groups
b) The imitation or borrowing of elements from one culture by members of another culture, often without permission or respect
c) The celebration of different cultures through shared practices
d) The acknowledgment and preservation of traditional cultural practices
Answer: b) The imitation or borrowing of elements from one culture by members of another culture, often without permission or respect
Explanation: Cultural appropriation occurs when elements of a culture, particularly those of marginalized groups, are taken out of context, often trivialized or misrepresented by dominant cultures.
Which group of people was primarily involved in the Chicano Civil Rights Movement?
a) Native Americans
b) African Americans
c) Mexican Americans
d) Asian Americans
Answer: c) Mexican Americans
Explanation: The Chicano Civil Rights Movement focused on the rights and empowerment of Mexican Americans, addressing issues like discrimination, education, and labor rights.
The term “model minority” is often used to describe which ethnic group in the United States?
a) African Americans
b) Jewish Americans
c) Asian Americans
d) Native Americans
Answer: c) Asian Americans
Explanation: The “model minority” stereotype portrays Asian Americans as successful, hardworking, and assimilated, but it also overlooks the diversity and challenges within the community.
Which of the following writers is known for examining the complexities of African American identity in the 20th century?
a) Ralph Ellison
b) William Faulkner
c) Emily Dickinson
d) Edgar Allan Poe
Answer: a) Ralph Ellison
Explanation: Ralph Ellison is known for his novel “Invisible Man,” which explores African American identity, racial inequality, and the challenges of being marginalized in society.
The concept of “cultural assimilation” is often critiqued because it:
a) Encourages the preservation of distinct cultural identities
b) Promotes equality and mutual respect among all cultures
c) Often forces minority groups to give up their traditions and values to fit into the dominant culture
d) Focuses on the celebration of diversity in all communities
Answer: c) Often forces minority groups to give up their traditions and values to fit into the dominant culture
Explanation: Cultural assimilation involves minority groups adopting the customs and practices of the dominant culture, sometimes at the expense of their own cultural identities.
The “Indian Removal Act” of 1830 led to:
a) The forced migration of Native American tribes to reservations
b) The establishment of Native American educational institutions
c) The peaceful integration of Native Americans into mainstream society
d) The recognition of Native American sovereignty
Answer: a) The forced migration of Native American tribes to reservations
Explanation: The Indian Removal Act led to the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to reservations, a process known as the Trail of Tears.
Which term refers to the blending of different cultural elements to create something new?
a) Cultural appropriation
b) Cultural assimilation
c) Cultural hybridity
d) Cultural separation
Answer: c) Cultural hybridity
Explanation: Cultural hybridity refers to the mixing of different cultural elements to form a new, unique identity or practice.
The concept of “white supremacy” suggests that:
a) All races are equal
b) White people should dominate over other races
c) White culture is superior to all other cultures
d) None of the above
Answer: b) White people should dominate over other races
Explanation: White supremacy is a belief system that holds that white people are superior to people of other racial backgrounds and should hold power and dominance over them.
The term “African diaspora” refers to:
a) The migration of African people due to the transatlantic slave trade
b) The blending of African cultures into European societies
c) The voluntary movement of African people for economic opportunities
d) The creation of African cultural institutions in the U.S.
Answer: a) The migration of African people due to the transatlantic slave trade
Explanation: The African diaspora refers to the forced movement of African peoples across the world, particularly due to the transatlantic slave trade, leading to the spread of African cultures globally.
Which of the following movements sought to address the social and political challenges faced by LGBTQ+ communities in the United States?
a) The Civil Rights Movement
b) The Women’s Liberation Movement
c) The Stonewall Riots and Gay Liberation Movement
d) The Anti-Apartheid Movement
Answer: c) The Stonewall Riots and Gay Liberation Movement
Explanation: The Stonewall Riots in 1969 are often seen as the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. The subsequent Gay Liberation Movement sought to address the social and political issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
Which of the following is a key characteristic of the feminist movement in the 20th century?
a) The pursuit of gender equality through legal reforms and social change
b) The creation of separate gender roles for men and women
c) The rejection of any form of gender-based discrimination
d) The domination of men by women in political and social spaces
Answer: a) The pursuit of gender equality through legal reforms and social change
Explanation: The feminist movement of the 20th century focused on achieving gender equality through various means, including legal reforms (such as women’s right to vote) and social change (such as addressing gender-based discrimination in the workplace).
The concept of “the melting pot” refers to:
a) The preservation of distinct cultural identities within a society
b) The gradual integration of different cultural groups into a unified society
c) The idea of cultural separation and division
d) The celebration of one dominant cultural identity
Answer: b) The gradual integration of different cultural groups into a unified society
Explanation: The “melting pot” metaphor suggests that immigrants and different cultural groups should blend into a common, unified society, shedding some of their distinct cultural identities to create a cohesive national identity.
Which of the following African American authors is known for writing about racial identity and social injustice?
a) Maya Angelou
b) Richard Wright
c) Langston Hughes
d) Toni Morrison
Answer: b) Richard Wright
Explanation: Richard Wright was a prominent African American author known for his work addressing racial identity and social injustice. His famous novel “Native Son” explores the harsh realities of racism and discrimination.
The term “racialization” refers to:
a) The process of racial groups coming together for social causes
b) The systemic and historical process by which certain groups are categorized as races
c) The acceptance of equal rights for all races in a society
d) The blending of racial identities to create a new group
Answer: b) The systemic and historical process by which certain groups are categorized as races
Explanation: Racialization is the process by which social and political institutions create categories of race and assign certain individuals or groups to those categories, often based on physical appearance and cultural traits.
In “The Souls of Black Folk,” W.E.B. Du Bois introduces the idea of:
a) The role of education in achieving racial equality
b) The “double consciousness” experienced by African Americans
c) The economic challenges faced by African American families
d) The importance of religious faith in overcoming racial barriers
Answer: b) The “double consciousness” experienced by African Americans
Explanation: In “The Souls of Black Folk,” W.E.B. Du Bois discusses the concept of “double consciousness,” where African Americans struggle with seeing themselves through the eyes of others while maintaining their own identity in a racially divided society.
Which of the following best describes “institutional racism”?
a) Discriminatory practices based on individual prejudices
b) Racism that is embedded in the policies and practices of institutions and organizations
c) The idea that racism no longer exists in society
d) The support of racism by a small group of radical individuals
Answer: b) Racism that is embedded in the policies and practices of institutions and organizations
Explanation: Institutional racism refers to the ways in which racial discrimination is built into the policies, practices, and structures of organizations and institutions, leading to disparities and inequities in areas like education, healthcare, and criminal justice.
The feminist perspective of “gender performativity” suggests that:
a) Gender roles are biologically determined and unchangeable
b) Gender is an individual choice that can be freely expressed
c) Gender is a social construct that is enacted through repeated behaviors and actions
d) Gender does not influence how individuals experience society
Answer: c) Gender is a social construct that is enacted through repeated behaviors and actions
Explanation: Gender performativity, a concept introduced by Judith Butler, suggests that gender is not something inherent but is instead created and reinforced through repeated actions, behaviors, and societal expectations.
In Asian American studies, the term “model minority” is criticized for:
a) Stereotyping Asian Americans as being uniformly successful and affluent
b) Celebrating the cultural diversity of Asian American communities
c) Encouraging Asian Americans to resist assimilation into mainstream culture
d) Promoting the idea of racial segregation
Answer: a) Stereotyping Asian Americans as being uniformly successful and affluent
Explanation: The “model minority” stereotype portrays Asian Americans as a uniformly successful group, which can obscure the diversity within the community and the challenges faced by certain subgroups, such as low-income or refugee populations.
The term “ethnic enclave” refers to:
a) A place where individuals from different ethnic backgrounds coexist peacefully
b) A community where people of the same ethnic group live, work, and interact with one another
c) The complete assimilation of immigrants into mainstream society
d) The formation of a multicultural society through the blending of cultures
Answer: b) A community where people of the same ethnic group live, work, and interact with one another
Explanation: An ethnic enclave is a geographic area where people from a specific ethnic group live and work together, often preserving their cultural traditions and supporting each other socially and economically.
The concept of “cultural appropriation” refers to:
a) The respectful exchange of cultural practices
b) The adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without permission and in a way that exploits the original culture
c) The celebration of multiculturalism in society
d) The study of different cultural practices in an academic context
Answer: b) The adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without permission and in a way that exploits the original culture
Explanation: Cultural appropriation involves taking elements from a marginalized culture and using them outside of their original context, often in a way that is insensitive or exploitative.
In his book Orientalism, Edward Said argues that:
a) The East should be integrated into Western culture
b) Western societies have historically constructed a distorted image of the East to justify colonialism and imperialism
c) The East is inherently superior to the West
d) Colonization led to the destruction of all Eastern cultures
Answer: b) Western societies have historically constructed a distorted image of the East to justify colonialism and imperialism
Explanation: In Orientalism, Edward Said critiques the way Western societies have historically depicted the East as exotic, backward, and inferior, which served to justify imperial control over Eastern nations.
The phrase “pan-Africanism” refers to:
a) A movement aimed at improving economic ties between African countries
b) A belief in the unity and solidarity of all African peoples worldwide
c) The rejection of African cultural traditions in favor of Western values
d) The promotion of individualism over collective identity in African cultures
Answer: b) A belief in the unity and solidarity of all African peoples worldwide
Explanation: Pan-Africanism is a political and cultural movement advocating for the unity of African people, both on the African continent and in the diaspora, emphasizing shared experiences and collective liberation.
The Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s focused on:
a) The preservation of Mexican traditions and culture
b) The civil rights of Mexican Americans and the improvement of their social, political, and economic conditions
c) The promotion of bilingualism in American schools
d) The rejection of all U.S. government policies
Answer: b) The civil rights of Mexican Americans and the improvement of their social, political, and economic conditions
Explanation: The Chicano Movement was a civil rights movement that sought to address issues such as discrimination, educational inequality, and political underrepresentation for Mexican Americans.
Which of the following is an example of cultural assimilation?
a) A Chinese immigrant community maintaining their traditional festivals while living in the U.S.
b) A second-generation immigrant adopting the language, customs, and values of their host country, while letting go of their cultural heritage
c) The celebration of multiple ethnic festivals in a multicultural community
d) The creation of an ethnic enclave in an urban area
Answer: b) A second-generation immigrant adopting the language, customs, and values of their host country, while letting go of their cultural heritage
Explanation: Cultural assimilation refers to the process by which an individual or group adopts the culture of the dominant society, often at the expense of their original cultural identity.
The Harlem Renaissance was:
a) A political movement that focused on African American civil rights
b) A period of African American artistic and intellectual flourishing in the 1920s
c) A movement to promote African American separation from white society
d) A cultural movement led by African American women
Answer: b) A period of African American artistic and intellectual flourishing in the 1920s
Explanation: The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural and artistic movement centered in Harlem, New York, where African American writers, artists, and musicians celebrated Black culture and explored themes of racial pride and identity.
In Latin American studies, “mestizaje” refers to:
a) The exclusion of indigenous cultures in the creation of modern Latin American identities
b) The mixing of European, African, and indigenous cultural and racial elements
c) The preservation of distinct indigenous cultures within Latin American nations
d) The desire for racial purity and the rejection of multiculturalism
Answer: b) The mixing of European, African, and indigenous cultural and racial elements
Explanation: Mestizaje refers to the racial and cultural mixing that occurred as a result of European colonization in Latin America, leading to the emergence of a unique mestizo (mixed) identity.
“Intersectionality,” a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to:
a) The experience of oppression based solely on one aspect of identity
b) The way different forms of social stratification, such as race, class, gender, and sexuality, intersect and affect individuals’ experiences of inequality
c) The ability of people from different racial backgrounds to unite against common causes
d) The idea that oppression only affects individuals of marginalized racial groups
Answer: b) The way different forms of social stratification, such as race, class, gender, and sexuality, intersect and affect individuals’ experiences of inequality
Explanation: Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how various forms of inequality and discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) intersect and overlap in people’s lives, particularly for individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups.
The concept of “colorblindness” in racial discourse suggests:
a) That race should be celebrated and acknowledged in every context
b) That racial differences should be ignored, with an emphasis on treating everyone equally without regard to race
c) That race is irrelevant to understanding societal power structures
d) That racial identities should be preserved and promoted
Answer: b) That racial differences should be ignored, with an emphasis on treating everyone equally without regard to race
Explanation: Colorblindness is the belief that ignoring or overlooking racial differences is a way to promote equality. However, critics argue that colorblindness can ignore the reality of systemic racism and inequalities.
The “model minority” stereotype is harmful because it:
a) Overlooks the diversity of experiences within an ethnic group
b) Promotes the idea that all minority groups are successful
c) Encourages the celebration of cultural traditions
d) Acknowledges the economic contributions of minority groups
Answer: a) Overlooks the diversity of experiences within an ethnic group
Explanation: The “model minority” stereotype assumes that all members of a particular ethnic group, often Asian Americans, are successful and affluent, which overlooks the diverse socioeconomic experiences and challenges faced by individuals within that group.