Research/Analysis Paper

The purpose of this paper is for you to apply research on stereotyping and prejudice to a question that interests you. That question can take one of two forms:

Research Question

You can choose to integrate research discussed in class with new research you uncover to answer a research question. For example, you might want to know if children have as strong an ingroup bias as adults do. Or, you might want to know what types of approaches or programs to reduce prejudice towards homosexuals are most likely to be successful. Or, you might wonder if conscious or unconscious processes are more powerful in the creation of stereotypes. Or, you might ask if and how it is possible to prevent or reduce the level of prejudice and discrimination between two groups when the groups come into conflict with each other. In your paper, you would thoroughly explore the research on the question you choose to describe what the answer currently appears to be for that question.

Analysis Question

Obviously, to answer a research question, there must be sufficient research conducted to point towards some converging evidence. However, there might not be sufficient research to address your question because it is too narrow or just not of sufficient interest to have been thoroughly investigated up to this point. In that case, your can approach your question by applying the research discussed in class and the readings to analyze some facet of stereotyping or prejudice. For example, you might want to analyze why a certain group of people are often portrayed or viewed in a certain way. How are Asians portrayed in the media? Why? Why are fans of a certain musical band or genre of music viewed they way they are viewed? Or, you might ask what might be done to change stereotypes and/or prejudice towards a certain group, applying research to suggest one or more strategies to promote that change. Or, you might ask if and how it is possible to prevent or reduce the level of prejudice and discrimination between two particular groups you have in mind when the groups come into conflict with each other. In your paper, you would apply research from the course to thoroughly analyze how your question might be answered.

For either option, your paper should be approximately 8-15 typed, double-spaced pages. Additionally, citing of sources in the paper should follow APA format including a list of cited works. The final paper is worth 100 points.

There are many possible questions. To make sure that you are on the right track with your question and paper you will need to have your question approved by me. I may require you to complete other steps of your paper by certain dates. Failing to do so will result in a loss of points on your paper grade.

Discussion Leaders

In pairs, you will be responsible for leading the initial discussion of a research article or reading. Specifically, you will be required to

• present a four-minute overview of the article, highlighting the key points;
• help the class to make connections between the article and real world applications and/or previous research or ideas we have discussed;
• answer questions about the readings and their relationship to previous topics and readings when called upon to do so.

You will be a discussion leader for an article or reading twice during the term, each time as part of a pair. Each presentation will be worth 30 points. However, I will weight your higher grade of the two twice as much as the lower grade towards your final grade on the presentations. Additionally, you will lose three points on each presentation for each minute you go beyond five minutes.

Rubric

 

Possible Exam Questions

Midterm Exam Questions Final Version

Final Exam Questions Final Version

 

Reading Assignments

Assignment 1 -- due Thursday, March 29
Assignment 2 -- due Thursday, April 5
Assignment 3 -- due Thursday, April 12
Assignment 4 -- due Thursday, April 19
Assignment 5 -- due Tuesday, April 24
Assignment 6 -- due Thursday, May 3
Assignment 7 -- due Tuesday, May 8
Assignment 8 -- due Thursday, May 10
Assignment 9 -- due Thursday, May 17
Assignment 10 -- due Thursday, May 24
Assignment 11 -- due Thursday, May 31