LSP 200 Final Research Paper
About
You will have the opportunity to write an 8-10 page paper on a topic that addresses the interconnections of identity, place, and justice and its relationship to race and ethnicity. The style of this this paper is an argumentative research paper. This means you will state a position and support your claims with evidence from readings and sources. You will choose 1 of the options below to present your argument about how race and racial formation shapes how we think about the topic you will investigate. All papers, regardless of the option you choose, must address the following:
Propose an argument;
Use identity frameworks, race theories and concepts to analyze how race and racial formation informs the topic you will investigate;
Identify ways to address and promote racial justice related to your topic;
Describe and explain the relevance and nuts and bolts of your topic of focus;
Support your claims with citations of at least 8 peer reviewed sources.
Option 1- Film, TV, Episodic Media
Film, television, and episodic shows are important sites to learn about race. The images and representation in film, tv, and shows tell stories about race, and racial formation. These representations matter.
Pick a popular form of media represented in film, tv, or an episodic series to analyze. In your paper, you will need to present an argument about the meaning and power of racial representations in the film, tv, or episodic media you choose. Using our sociological concepts, describe the meaning of racial representations or messages in the media; whats being told? Whats the underlying message? Whos centered? Whos omitted? In what way do these images reproduce or justify racial formations and inequalities? In what way do these images disrupt or change status quo beliefs about racial formation? In addition to using 8 references to support your claims, you will need to describe and unpack the film, television or episodic show. Describe the rationale for your selection; provide an overview of the film, tv, or show; describe how the main characters are portrayed; assess the extent to which those characters uphold or disrupt dominant racial ideology and formation. Remember to conclude your paper by addressing ways in which racial justice can be promoted through the media industry (film, tv, etc).
