Assignment: Contemporary Issues in Diversity in American Society
Length: 4-6 pages.
Topic: Scan through Chapters 8-14 (not including 13), focusing on a topic that has personal or professional meaning for you. Ask questions to direct your research: Is it true that undocumented workers cost our economy more than they benefit it? Are Asian students "naturally" better at math? Are men are less nurturing and therefore less capable of taking care of small children? Is Affirmative Action effective or ineffective? Does law enforcement racially profile? Why do boys frequently have lower GPA's but higher standardized test scores? Does therapy to change sexual orientation work? Would a deaf person prefer to be hearing? Are people with mental illness violent?
The topic must be a contemporary issue. You may not write a historical essay. For example, an essay that covers the history of sexism during World War 2 would not be acceptable. Also, the essay must explore the issue in contemporary American society. Essays may not be focused on the issue world-wide. You may compare the US to other countries to make a point, but it can't be the focus of the paper.
Your paper is about asking a genuine question and using research to answer it. This should be something you truly have a question about. This is your opportunity to research this and uncover the facts, the fictions, and the attitudes that surround that question. Begin by looking through the book and thinking about the issues and ideas that really interest you. I suggest you go with your strongest interest, rather that whatever looks easiest. Please contact me if you would like help picking a topic.
Narrow your topic as much as you can! Topics such as "Is there sexism in public schools?" are much too broad. A much more narrow question would be, "Are standardized tests biased towards girls or boys?" Sometimes, you can't know how you will narrow your topic until you have done some research.
As long as your final paper is in the same topic area, you do not need my permission to narrow it. If you wanted to change topics completely (such as changing from racism to ableism), you must get approval.
1. Native Americans
2. African-Americans
3. Latino/Hispanic
4. Asian Americans
5. Immigration
6. LGBT
7. Economic/Income levels
8. Differing Abilities (physical, mental, social or learning)
9. Gender Roles
10. Religions/Faith
11. Age issues
Content to cover (It does not have to be in this order):
1. What is the question, assumption, idea that you are starting with (the more focused your topic, the better)?
2. What does the book say about the topic (or related to the issue)?
3. What does your outside research say?
4. What are your own conclusions about this issue as related to the topic of diversity?
Sources: In addition to your textbook, you must use at least 3 other written, copyrighted, reliable, sources.
Highly recommended (Required for an A paper)
• academic journals (found in Academic Search Complete or other database. Google scholar is not a database).
Some what recommended (Including only sources such as these will result in a grade no higher than B)
• Well-known newspapers and magazines (Time, Newsweek, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, LA Times, Plain Dealer, Beacon Journal)
Use with extreme caution (Only use these if you cannot find the information in a higher quality sources. Avoid if possible.)
• news websites (CNN, MSNBC, FoxNews, etc.)
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.