What is employment discrimination in the United States market?
Throughout our course, Sociology 254: Social Problems, students are tasked with using the subjective perspective to analyze how social problems become “collectively defin[ed]” (Blumer, 1981, p. 301). This analysis draws on several key questions, including: What shapes our understanding of these “social problems”? What are the origins of these “problems”? Who shapes the framing of these topics? Who is directly affected by these problems, or by their framing? Why do some issues gain more public attention than others? For the final course paper, students will apply these questions to a social problem of their choice.
The final paper should be 6-8 pages long, double-spaced (formatting details below). It is designed for students to demonstrate: the comprehensive culmination of your understanding of course concepts; your ability to clearly communicate these concepts and their nuances; and your ability to use course concepts to analyze a social problem of your choice. In addition to demonstrating mastery of course concepts, this paper is an opportunity to dive deeper into a social problem you have long been passionate about, or are interested in learning more about.
Ideally, the paper will prepare you to contribute to dialogue about the social construction of problems and solutions both within this class and with your broader communities. To this end, papers will be assessed according to the following criteria –
Final Paper (25% of course grade) – papers will be graded based on:
Substance – out of 15 points:
● Clearly state the social problem you are examining, and answer the following questions:
○ How is this problem framed?
○ Who frames it?
○ Who is most affected by this framing?
○ How does this framing affect potential solutions (or lack thereof)?
○ Why does this social problem receive attention (for instance, compared to other similar but less known/discussed social problems)?
● Analyze how the social construction of this problem reveals underlying social dynamics, including:
○ Power and inequality
○ Who is labeled a problem, and who is labeled as able to solve the problem
○ How resources are dedicated to constructing this problem and/or to constructing solutions
● Engage with course material and concepts
○ Draw on readings, slides, and your notes; cite where appropriate
○ Apply key course terms, concepts, and materials to your social problem
● Use trusted resources and an analytical eye to describe your social problem. For instance:
○ Use academic articles and trusted news outlets to state what is known about the problem
○ For any use of media (popular press or social media), consider the author’s positionality, the empirical basis of their claims, and potential bias
○ Include citations for all sources! (Detailed below)
● Clearly, concisely, and effectively communicate
○ Writing should be easy to follow, arguments should be clearly stated, and appropriate grammar should be applied
○ For writing tips, consult the Writing Center and Prof. Goldberg
Formatting – out of 5 points:
● 6-8 pages long
● Typed, Double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1-inch margins
● Name, Date, Class
References and Citations – out of 5 points:
● Appropriate in-text citations and bibliography/reference sheet at the end
● You may follow APA, MLA, or Chicago reference style, but please be consistent.
● See CCNY formatting guidelines: https://library.ccny.cuny.edu/researchtoolkit/citing
● Follow academic integrity. Plagiarism will result in a failing grade and appropriate disciplinary action. See further details below.
○ Papers will be checked for plagiarism using SafeAssign on Blackboard. Students may check their SafeAssign originality report prior to submission
This links are thata i used for my presentation in class
https://www.povertyactionlab.org/es/evaluation/discriminacion-en-el-mercado-laboral-en-los-estados-unidos
https://www.justice.gov/crt/federal-protections-against-national-origin-discrimination-1
