Speech topic paper

Contested Identity Topic Proposal (1-2 pages)

Name:

Course Section Number:

Selected Identity: [Insert your identity]

In 1-2 paragraphs, indicate the identity you select and explain why you have selected it.

First, ​pick an identity​ that is or has been contested (an identity/subjectivity that people are “fighting over”) and study the discourse and debate associated with that process.

Examples of identities include but are not limited to: ▪ Women, Blacks (African-Americans), Latinos (could narrow this to something more

specific—Mexican immigrants), Asian-American, gay/lesbian/bi/trans, elderly, disabled.

Second, ​explain why you are selecting this particular identity. ​Give some justifications for why you are choosing this identity and not another.

Preliminary Thoughts:

In 1-2 paragraphs, discuss this identity group is discussed and treated in news media and popular culture. Based on your own personal observations, conversations you’ve had, things you have heard in the media or through pop culture, and preliminary research of at least 2 sources, explain how they are currently talked about or treated in our society. How do you think society portrays them? What specific examples from speeches, film, news portrayals, commercials, advertisements, etc? These questions are meant to guide your thinking, but I want you to consider how the identity group has been communicated about.

In 1-2 paragraphs, explain what kinds of effects societal portrayals have on the group selected. In this case, it might helpful to think about some of the concepts we have learned so far—​communication as representative, communication as constitutive, power, cultural locations, hegemony, social construction, etc. ​Using at least 2 course concepts, explain possible effects the portrayals you have pointed to above might have on the identity group.

In 1-2 paragraphs, explain what you think we need to do as a society with respect to this identity group. Specifically, consider how changing we discuss, label, portray them could benefit them. What specific kinds of communication related changes would we need to make? This could be as basic as words and images that we associate with this group to the way we related and feel about them.

Conclusion

In 1 paragraph, explain what you personally hope to learn from this study. What do you think this will do for you? Also, explain what specific challenges you will face doing this critical project and explain how you will be proactive to make sure that you complete it successfully.

Mechanics

This proposal should be ​1-2 pages, ​double-spaced using standard margins and no more than 12 point font.

Composition and grammar will be assessed so you should take special care to make sure your proposal is polished and meets all standard practices for academic work and Gordon Rule. MLA guidelines for writing and citing should be followed.