English

Social Reform - Final Research Project

Social movements and Social Reform have shaped every facet of social life--from the eight-hour day, to the terms we use to describe gender identity, to the geopolitical map of the world. The best way to learn how social movements work—both for academic and practical purposes—is to study concrete examples in specific historical and social contexts. Throughout the semester, we have examined various contemporary topics. With each issue discussed, we explored how decisions made over the years have had major impacts for future generations and our society as a whole.

For your final research project, you will make personal connections to class-generated issues of global concern and integrate our readings and 6 outside sources to examine a CURRENT social movement/topic/reform of your choosing and explore its impact on you and our society. As part of this project, you will explore the movement in depth through various methods, including media, film, and, finally, writing.

English 1A

Prof: J. Stokes Cobb

The final project is a 9 - page research essay on the movement or category of movements you have focused on throughout the last half of the semester. The written research paper asks you to draw on the core questions from the first part of the course to develop an original analysis of a social movement. If you have done your work well, this paper should be easy to produce: you will pull together your biographical analysis, movement event analysis, and activist connections essays, and build on them by relating them to relative academic sources and media reports. Your research will include 6 referenced sources. Two of the referenced sources may be websites.

Questions to consider: What “cause” is the group fighting for? What kind of oppression does the group experience? How does the dominant culture view that group? How does the group communicate its message to the broader community? How successful has the group been in generating allies or public support for the cause? In what ways is this group courageously resisting oppression?

Sample topic ideas

· Transgender Activism

· Black Lives Matter

· Women’s Rights (specific areas)

· Environmentalism

· Millennial Activism

· LGBTQ Activism

· Mental Health Activism

· Domestic Worker/Immigration

· Police Reform

· Religion-Based Discrimination

· Human Rights Violations

· Racial Reform

· Voting Rights

· Government and Morality

· Environmental Racism

Final Research Project Schedule:

Research Paper Proposal and Thesis

Summary: You will submit a 1-page summary (with thesis statement) of the movement/social justice issue you will focus on during the second half of the semester. It could be broad (“transgender activism”) or specific (“transgender bathroom debates at Chabot College.”) Keep in mind that you will be thinking and writing about this theme for the remainder of the semester, so choose something that interests you and about which you will be able to access information. In your essay, explain your topic, what interests you about it, and include 6 proposed academic sources. Be specific in your sources. Simply identifying “venue” (google scholar, journals, etc.) is not sufficient. Find 6 specific sources and identify them through a Works Cited page.

Points: 55 (35 Summary; 20 Works Cited page)

Annotated Bibliography

Your Works Cited page, with at least 6 credible references, will be submitted.

Points: 40

First 4 pages Due

The Introduction and background of your research paper are due in class for peer editing.

Points: 40

Research Project – Rough Draft due

The rough draft will be turned in both online and in class. This rough draft should be a completed working copy of your research paper (MLA formatted, 10 pages, Works Cited page). You will receive a 5 point per day deduction for late papers. The introduction of the rough draft will be peer edited in class.

Be prepared for your peer editing with a hard copy of your research paper. Absence or arriving unprepared will result in the loss of 10 points on your final draft.

Points:40

Research Project – Final Draft

The edited final draft of your research paper is due in class and online. With the in-class final draft, you will staple your rough draft with original comments (peer or instructor).

Points: 75

Final Presentation -

You will present your research on your chosen social reform/movement to the class in a 5 – 7 minute presentation and PowerPoint slide presentation.

Points: 100

Total Points: 345