DB week 5
The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment requires the active participation of students and the
instructor to create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB question as well as engage in
dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit, DB participation will be assessed based on both level of engagement and
the quality of the contribution to the discussion.
At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to the weekly dialogue by responding to at
least two other posts from students. The first contribution must be posted before midnight (Central Time) on Friday of each week. Two additional responses are required
after Friday of each week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the university tracks class
attendance and participation.
The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course content and the DB question. Because
it is not possible to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.
A. Questions for weekly discussions and conversations (not part of the required Discussion Board assignment)
These questions can serve as the starting point for your discussions during the week. They are “thought starters,” so that you can explore some ideas associated with
the Discussion Board and unit topics. Answers are not required, and they should not be submitted with your required assignment. Answers are not graded.
Why would researchers want to study the gender, race, and ethnicity of individuals in American prisons? What would researchers hope to learn from this type of
study?
How can American society benefit from a study such as this that examines the gender, race, and ethnicity of individuals in American prisons? How can the results of
this type of study benefit U.S. culture on a large scale?
B. Required Discussion Board assignment.
For this assignment, you will make a posting of 2–3 paragraphs to the Discussion Board in which you must answer the following questions:
What are some potential methods of researching the gender, race, and ethnicity of individuals in American prisons?
Specifically, what are ways in which the gender, race, and ethnicity of individuals in American prisons could be studied using interpretative and critical
frameworks?
What would you change, and why?
What different types of information or data would you likely obtain using this research process?
In your own words, please post a response to the Discussion Board and comment on other postings. You will be graded on the quality of your postings.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials. Please refer to the following multimedia course material(s):
Unit 5: Research in Sociology
Unit 5: The Science of Sociology Research
Unit 5: Conducting Research
Unit 5: Sociology Information Flow
