Unlock the fascinating connection between your ancestry and your identity in Lecture 1: Your Ancestry, Your Identity from Identity in the Age of Ancestral DNA, presented by Dr. Anita Foeman, Professor of Communication and founder of the DNA Discussion Project at West Chester University.
In this thought-provoking lecture, explore how your genetic heritage influences — but doesn’t define — who you are. Discover the ongoing debate between essentialist (nature-based) and constructed (experience-based) philosophies of identity. Learn how DNA testing and ancestry results are reshaping our personal and collective stories about race, heritage, and belonging.
Through real-world insights from the DNA Discussion Project, Dr. Foeman reveals how our newfound genetic awareness can challenge long-held beliefs and foster a broader understanding of what it means to be human.
🌍 Key Takeaways:
How DNA ancestry testing impacts identity formation
The science behind ancestry percentages and heritage charts
Essentialist vs. constructed views of identity
Why all humans share a 99.9% genetic similarity
How understanding your DNA can promote unity and acceptance
📚 Watch the full series Identity in the Age of Ancestral DNA to explore how genetics, culture, and history shape the way we see ourselves — and each other.
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