pick a specific minority group(s) and an event related to a specific minority group, and then pick a major theory. and provide an argument for why this theory does not do a good job of explaining the minority groups position in contemporary U.S. society (or their circumstance or that specific event). Your paper must be 2,500-4,000 words long (about 10-15 pages), not including the title page, abstract, bibliography, or figures/pictures/tables. There are a number of ways you can make such an argument. For example, you may argue that a group experiences discrimination in a variety of ways but the specific theory you have chosen simply isnt the best way to explain why they experience discrimination. Or, you may argue that the theory would predict a group to experience discrimination in certain ways, but they do not. Finally, you may make a more nuanced argument in terms of kinds of discrimination a group should or should not experience according to the theory. Elite Theories: Including (but not limited to) Group Position Theory, Marxism, and the Neoclassical Elite Approach); these theories argue that powerful individuals and/or groups in society strive to maintain power over other individuals/groups and use overt (e.g. laws aimed directly at minority groups, physical force) as well as covert (e.g. justifying ideologies) to preserve inequality/hierarchy. 2. Realistic Group Conflict Theory: This theory proposes that groups engage in zero-sum competition over real (e.g. money, land, control of government/laws) or symbolic (culture, social norms, perceived legitimacy) resources, and so continually strive to preserve/strengthen their ingroup by derogating outgroups. 3. Personality Theories: Including (but not limited to) the Authoritarian Personality model, frustration-aggression perspective, uncertainty/anxiety perspective, and value conflict model; these theories argue that individuals vary in the degree to which they exhibit certain personality traits/tendencies that ultimately lead to prejudice and discrimination. 4. Social-Cognitive Psychology Theories: Including (but not limited to) the Social Identity Approach and Labeling Theory; these theories propose universal psychological traits that all humans share are ultimately responsible for why people tend to form groups and favor some groups over others. 5. Socialization/Social Learning Theories: This perspective suggests that prejudice and discrimination are learned/taught from an early age through ones environment. 6. Evolutionary Theories: This perspective suggests that humans have evolved (at the gene-level as well as the individual-level) through the process of natural selection over millions of years in a such a way that prejudice, discrimination, hierarchy, and inequality are adaptive. 7. Modern Racism Theory: This theory argues that social norms over recent decades have made prejudice and discrimination socially undesirable, and so individuals have found (whether consciously or not) new, more subtle ways of propagating prejudice in a way that seems justifiable under egalitarian norms. This theory does not necessarily need to be about race (can be about gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any group status). 8. Institutional Racism Theory: This theory suggests discrimination against minority groups is built-in to the institutions of society, making discrimination and inequality occur automatically just from the normal operations of societal instutitions (including government, the criminal justice system, the economy, the education system, etc.) even without any individuals being overtly prejudiced. This theory does not necessarily need to be about race (can be about gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any group status). Paper Requirements The paper should consist of the following sections and abide by these requirements: Title Page Clear and concise title centered at top of page Followed by name, Midterm Paper, class number and name, instructor name, date Abstract: 3-6 sentences overviewing your papers thesis/argument, evidence, and conclusions Introduction Introduce what will come in the rest of the paper – make sure to hit all main points in a logical order Clearly state 3-5 arguments/points you will make in support of your main thesis. Essentially, you will state what the theory is, what minority group you have chosen to examine, what your argument is (e.g. this theory does not adequately explain group X), and how (briefly) you plan to provide evidence for this argument. Pull the reader in with first 2 sentences! End the introduction with a thesis statement – 1 sentence that encapsulates your main argument of the paper – here, why you are ultimately arguing that the theory does not hold for this group. About 1 2 -1 1 2 of a page in length Body Layout your arguments (outlined in your Introduction) Each paragraph should have a specific purpose and also relate back to the main thesis (and each sentence within each paragraph should related back to the purpose of that paragraph) No subheadings About 8-12 pages in length Conclusion Tie together the arguments/paragraphs from the Body Briefly re-state each of your arguments and how they relate back to your main thesis End your Conclusion About 1-1 1 2 pages in length Times New Roman 12 pt. font; 1-inch margins; double-spaced ( with formatting…) The title page, abstract (which should be on the title page), references, and figures/tables/images do not count toward the page limit. Rubric Criterion Points Worth (out of 100) Abstract: You have a complete abstract that outlines the arguments you will make and conclusions you will come to 5 Thesis Statement: Your primary thesis/argument for why the theory is not adequate is stated clearly 10 Evidence: The evidence you provide in support of your main argument is persuasive 25 Theory Comprehension: You adequately describe the major tenets/assumptions of the theory (e.g. successfully avoid straw-man arguments and misrepresentations) 30 Conclusions: You properly tie together your arguments and evidence to concisely conclude your paper 10 Subject Knowledge: Information presented about the chosen minority group is accurate 5 Clarity/Logic: The paper is organized and flows clearly and logically 5 References/Citations: Proper references and citations are provided 5 Grammar/Professionalism: The writing is grammatically correct and professiosnal 5 Total 100
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