Describe theoretical ideas of power in relation to policy.
Locate a valid current event that is appropriate and sociological in scope.
Apply major sociological perspectives by summarizing the article or program.
Compare the differences between majority and minority groups.
Identify historical and contemporary influences of discrimination in American culture.
Characterize and observe how different social groups are represented in news and entertainment media.
Analyze how laws are applied based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and social class.
Demonstrate the relationship between the theories, policies, and concepts of sociology.
Apply diversity strategies in professional, educational, and personal contexts.
Identify areas for social groups to improve social class or status.
Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
State and support a clear central idea in a coherently organized document.
Briefly, in one or two paragraphs, summarize the main events or issues in your article. Clarify how the event or issue connects to this course.
Compare and contrast how minority and dominant groups are portrayed in your chosen media article or program.
Think about how your article or program demonstrates this dominant/minority group differentiation.
Of the theories covered so far in the course, which seem most appropriate to understanding the events in your chosen article? Why? Include relevant examples from the article or program to illustrate your points. Examples of theories include Marx’s and Weber’s theories of inequality, Park’s race relations cycle, Gordon’s theory of assimilation, human capital theory, scapegoat hypothesis, theory of authoritarian personality, split labor market theory, the contact hypothesis, the Noel hypothesis, the Blauner hypothesis, and the culture of poverty theory.
Choose one of the following to discuss (choose which is appropriate for your chosen article):
Discuss how one or more of Merton’s four categories of prejudice and discrimination (from the Merton’s Typology of Prejudice and Discrimination interactive in Unit 3) apply to the article or program you chose.
Explain which of the types of racial and ethnic group relations explained in Chapter 2 of the Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class text (assimilation, pluralism, separatism, and revolution) best describes how race and ethnic relations are presented in your media program or article.
Discuss how dominant and minority groups are portrayed.
Apply the theories covered in the course to the content of your news article or program.
Discuss Merton’s categories of prejudice and discrimination or the patterns of racial and ethnic group relations.
