Social Inequality, Spring 2017, Paper Assignment and Guidelines
Paper Due: April 21, 5pm. Hardcopy to Dr. Kane’s office, N1056. Slip under door.
Education and Inequality
“Education was historically considered a great equalizer in American society, capable of lifting
less advantaged children and improving their chances for success as adults. But a body of
recently published scholarship suggests that the achievement gap between rich and poor children
is widening, a development that threatens to dilute education’s leveling effects.” (NYT, 2-92012)
This quote is from one of the New York Times articles examining numerous issues related to
educational achievement and social inequality in the United States. The first two articles discuss
education and jobs and the growing education gap; the bulk of the articles look at factors presenting
obstacles to equal opportunity in k-12 education in the whole nation and Texas. The articles provide
evidence in the form of data, statistics, interviews, and analyses by experts.
The paper assignment is to use the articles from the New York Times and what you have learned in this
class (from lectures and readings) to analyze specific factors and/or causes of the “education gap” in the
United States and consequences for social inequality. More specifically, the assignment is to focus on a
particular issue, to formulate a “research question” about it, and analyze it in-depth using the
articles and the material covered in this course. Here are a few examples of research questions.
1. What institutional barriers (“institutional discrimination”) still prevent educational equality in k-12
education, and how do those barriers impact educational achievement? Some of the possible barriers to
consider and explain: policies and processes in schools, families (structure, income), government
policies.
2. Research indicates that income inequality is the major factor in current educational inequality.
4. How do other factors such as race, gender, and/ student disabilities contribute to unequal educational
opportunities?
These are just a few examples of questions and issues that are raised the NYT articles on education.
There are many more research questions that can be constructed for analysis. I am looking to see how
you use your critical thinking skills to identify and analyze a sociological problem(s) presented by
these articles, and how you apply what you’ve learned in this course to discuss and explain these
problems.
Your analysis must include a theoretical framework, drawn from the theories/concepts of inequality
studied in this course. The theory or theories might be from a theorist(s) studied at the beginning of the
course (e.g., Smith, Marx, Weber, etc.), or a contemporary theory more directly related to a particular
issue, such as economic inequality. Which theories and theoretical concepts you use will depend on
what issues you focus on. I am looking to see that you understand and can employ theoretical
concepts and frameworks to analyze a sociological problem.
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You should be able to complete this assignment using the material from this course – the packet of
articles, BB readings, and lectures. I am interested to see how well you are able to use these
sources (also demonstrates that you’ve read them).
However, you may use extra-curriculum sources of information. For example, you might want to find
and read more articles (newspaper, academic journals) about certain aspects of educational inequality,
either those addressed in the articles I’ve provided, or aspects not covered. If you do use outside sources,
you must cite them properly in the paper, and include them in your reference/bibliography page.
That said, outside research and reading is not required. You can write your paper using the
distributed articles and course materials. In fact, the majority of your sources should be class
materials. You must use course materials (BB readings and lectures) as part of your theoretical
framework and analysis.
Note: some of the articles have web addresses that take you to reports mentioned in the article,
where you can find more information. I encourage you check these out, and use when appropriate.
Paper Organization
It is very important for your paper to be well organized. If it is not, it is difficult for the reader (me) to
follow. Don’t make the reader work hard to figure out what you are saying and arguing. If reader can
not follow the logic of the paper and argument, it will be difficult to assess (and grade well).
Your paper should consist of the following Three Components:
1. An Introduction in which you discuss the problem(s) presented by the articles, and how you will
analyze the problem – what you will focus on, what theories or theoretical concepts you will use and
why. You might also include a “thesis statement” if you have formulated a strong explanation about the
problems at TYC, or some specific aspect. For example, “I will argue that the increase of children being
thrown into poverty will increase education inequality and decrease social mobility for the next few
generations.”
2. The main part of the paper, Body, including (a) theoretical framework and (b) analysis.
a. You should first explicate and discuss the theoretical framework (including important and relevant
concepts) you are using.
b. Following this, apply your theoretical framework to the issue at hand – your specific research
question. Of course, your analysis will be more than just theoretically based; it will include information
from course material and supporting evidence from the newspaper articles. In other words, you are
analyzing empirical information/data using a theoretical framework.
3. Conclusion. This can be (but not limited to the following): a summary of your analysis and/or
argument; suggestions for further research that might be done to better understand the problem of
educational inequality; what you think should be done (by the government, the public, etc.) to alleviate
educational and social inequality. If you have any opinions, the conclusion is the appropriate place to
articulate them. However, they should be in line with the argument you’ve presented in the main text of
your analysis.
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Grading of Paper
The following criteria will be the basis of the grade:
1. Identification of sociological problem/research question in a clear introduction.
2. Development of theoretical framework for analyzing problem, including explanation of major
concepts. Use and citation of theories studied in course.
3. Application of theory to empirical evidence, including how well the empirical data (newspaper
articles) are used.
4. Strength of analysis.
5. Conclusion – clear summary.
6. How well the paper is written – including paper organization, grammatical conventions
(grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax), complete and proper citations.
Style Guidelines/Mechanics for Paper
1. Any style (MLA, APA, etc.) is fine, as long as consistency is maintained including citations, foot
or endnotes, bibliography or reference page. Websites you might use: www.aresearchguide.com,
http://www.uhd.edu/library/guides/citingwriting.html
2. Font size: 12
3. Length: 5-8 pages.
4. Bibliography/Reference page not included as part of this length.
5. Citations. Any work or author mentioned must be cited including name, year of publication, page
number (especially if quoting, see below #8).
For example (Brown, 1997, pp.23-25)
6. Though I discourage it (especially since it often leads to plagiarism, either intentional or
unintentional) use of websites must be cited. Again, use of websites other than the New York
Times should be limited, and I will check for plagiarism.
7. Refer to style manuals if unclear about citations, or other style issues. See number 1 above.
8. Quotations: you may use quotes from either newspaper articles or readings. These should be
rather short quotes, and must include the appropriate citation. I encourage quotes, as they can be
very good support for analysis and argument; however, quotes should not dominate your paper.
Furthermore, quotes don’t “speak for themselves.” The writer (you) must put the quote in
context, and explain how the quote is evidence or supports your argument.
9. Paper must have either bibliography (includes full citations of all works used in paper), or
Reference page (includes full citations of works/authors mentioned in paper).
10. Pages must be numbered.
11. Title page: with paper title, student name, course name, and day and time of class.
12. Check for typos, misspellings, incomplete sentences and improper grammar. I will deduct
points for these. All word processing programs contain a Spell and Grammar Check, so there
is no excuse.
13. Edit paper. Do not turn in first draft. Read, edit, and revise as needed.
Extra Credit Points: I encourage you do use the UHD Writing Center for help at any stage of writing
your paper, from planning to editing and revising. They are very helpful, and will also notify me that
you have visited them (think extra points). Don’t wait until the last minute, as the Center gets busy at the
end of the semester. 5 points for each visit. Please stable visit confirmation slip(s) to your paper.
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Plagiarism is when you use the work or ideas of someone else in your own work without giving credit
to the original source.
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If you buy, steal, or borrow a paper and turn it in as your own.
If you hire someone to write a paper for you, then turn it in as your own.
If you “cut and paste” from websites.
If you use a source too closely when you are doing a paraphrase.
If you build on someone’s ideas without citing or giving proper credit.
If you copy from another source without proper credit.
Note that teachers and administrators do not distinguish between accidental and intentional
plagiarism. Both types are unacceptable.
Any form of plagiarism will result in course failure (F) and will go on your academic record.
Please see below for information on plagiarism. Please refer to Academic Honesty Policy (PS
03.A.19) in the UHD Student Handbook for information on consequences of cheating and plagiarism.
For more information and guidance:
http://www.uhd.edu/library/guides/citingwriting.html
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/
Paper Due: April 21, 5pm. Hardcopy to Dr. Kane’s office, N1056. Slip under door.
This is the absolute deadline; any papers turned in later will be penalized or not read at all. If you think
your paper will be late for a valid reason, please notify me beforehand for permission.
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