How perceptions of “race” are socially constructed

Discuss how perceptions of “race” are socially constructed and how these perceptions can 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. 1. Identification and initial understanding of a substantive area of sociological analysis concerning social inequality and/or social change (this understanding will be judged with consideration given to stage of course). 2. Clear claim (‘thesis’) addressing the topic question/ problem, indicating logical direction of argument. 3. Effectively communicated and organized presentation: with introduction, body and conclusion (with scholarly Reference List, including reference to sociological research). 4. Argument indicates originality and independence of thought. 5. Demonstrated awareness of various sources of knowledge that will be needed to support an argument of this kind (theoretical/empirical, quantitative/qualitative, comparative, historical, documentary, survey or interview based). 6. Identification and application of relevant sociological theor(y/ies) to explain the problem or issue. 7. A critical understanding of the contested nature of the social issue.