Sociology

Sociology 169: Paper #2:

Paper #2 is due via elearn.ucr.edu by 11:59pm on Tuesday, 11/22 (week 9).

Length: 4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced 12-point font (excluding cover page and bibliography) Note: Unless excused ahead of the deadline by your TA, late papers will be penalized (10 points per day).

Answer one of the following 2 questions:

1. To what extent and how can the main theoretical ideas and concepts of Omi and Winant’s racial formation theory be used to better understand contemporary race relations in the United States? Use examples from current events, personal experiences, trends, statistics, or other research, to support your argument. Your essay should also define, explain in your own words, and apply at least 6 of the following concepts discussed by Omi and Winant: ‘race,’ ‘racism,’ ‘racial formation,’ ‘racism,’ ‘racialization,’ ‘race

consciousness,’ ‘power,’ ‘racial hegemony,’ ‘racial despotism,’ ‘racial democracy,’ ‘racial projects,’ ‘racist project,’ ‘anti-racist project,’ ‘color-blind racism.’

2. To what extent and how can Hill Collins’ theoretical concepts and ideas be used to analyze how media images of particular social groups are related to multiple and intersecting power relations? In your response, be sure to define and explain the concepts of (1) the ‘matrix of domination,’ and (2) ‘controlling image,’ and identify and describe the 4 main controlling images of black women discussed by Hill Collins. Using examples from current or past

U.S. films, video series, media advertisements, and/or television shows, discuss how the controlling images of black women and their impacts compare to the controlling images and impacts of at least ONE of the following groups: white women, white men, Latina women, Latino men, Asian-American women, Asian-American men, Native American women, Native American men. How are the similarities or differences in these controlling images related to multiple and intersecting power relations within the United States?

When you turn in your paper:

1. Be sure to number your pages.
2. Include a separate cover sheet: (1) your name; (2) the question number that you are answering; (3) your paper title; (4) your TA’s name; (5) your section number; (6) the current date. You should NOT include this information in a header for your paper.
3. Provide a bibliography only for outside sources (NOT listed on the syllabus) using the format provided below.

Hints and directions: 

1. All papers should have an overall argument that is clearly stated in both the introduction and conclusion of the paper and which you develop in the body of your paper.  If you can’t answer: “What’s the point of the paper?” in one or two sentences, you still have work to do. In this case, the main point of your paper is your critical evaluation of the analytical usefulness of the authors’ theoretical ideas and concepts. You need to summarize each author’s perspective and discuss it in your paper and that discussion should relate to and provide the foundation for your evaluation of the usefulness of the authors’ ideas and concepts. You should not just evaluate the authors in one paragraph or in the conclusion. You must provide reasons for your evaluation of the author and cite evidence or examples; don’t just state your opinion of the author’s ideas.
2. Recommendation: I strongly recommend writing at least two drafts of this paper. You should “pump out” your first draft, getting a lot of ideas down on paper. Don’t worry about getting it right the first time (no one does). Pick out your best ideas and organize them well in your second draft. It is often very helpful to write an outline of your paper before writing your first or second draft so that your paper is organized and flows well.
3. You should cite all the reading or course material you use, only citing lecture when it

introduced an idea that is NOT contained in the readings. When discussing key concepts remember to define terms in your own words and use examples to further illustrate your understanding of them.

How to cite a passage that you summarize: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (Blumer 1969: 72-76).

How to use a short quote from the reading: “XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX” (Blumer 1969: 77).

How to use a long quote (three lines or more):

Indent and single-space the quote; quote marks are not necessary:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

(Blumer 1969: 77)

Note: After you use a quote, you need to explain what it means.

Format for citing references in the text of your paper:

Be sure to cite the readings you are referring to using the format below in the text of your paper. You should cite the reading when you summarize it OR when you quote directly from the reading. Since this is a short paper, you should avoid long quotes. If you use a quote, be sure to explain what it means in your own words or how it relates to your main arguments.

Citation Format Example: XXXXXXXXXXXX (Dohan 2003: 20-24). Xxxxx (Last year of pub: pages)

Bibliography (only required for outside readings; use ASA style guide):

Note: List your sources in alphabetical order by author’s name (not by type of source). Instructions for Bibliography: Please format the readings you cite (including those on and not on the syllabus) according to the American Sociological Association’s style guidelines.

For info on ASA style, see: http://www.asanet.org/documents/teaching/pdfs/Quick_Tips_for_ASA_Style.pdf http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/files/asa.pdf