Sociology
Topic: Diversity and the Media
See attached for instructions
References as needed
APA format
Double spaced
Essay form writing
For this assignment, choose one news media program or article that deals with an issue related
to the variables we are exploring in this course: race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation,
religion, age, or social class. Examples of acceptable media include a newspaper article, a radio
program, or a local or national television news segment. These can be obtained via the Capella
library or online. Feel free to choose a topic that is either domestic or global in content as long
as it comes from a reputable news source, such as a local or national newspaper, CNN, Reuters,
National Public Radio, BBC, and so on.
Your paper should be written in essay form. Include the following components in your essay:
1. Briefly, in one or two paragraphs, summarize the main events or issues in your article. Clarify
how the event or issue connects to this course.
2. Compare and contrast how minority and dominant groups are portrayed in your chosen media
article or program. Think about how your article or program demonstrates this dominant/minority
group differentiation. For example, is there differentiation along racial or ethnic lines or other
variables, such as gender or social class?
3. Of the theories covered so far in the course, Whid’l seem most appropriate to understanding the
events in your chosen article? Why? Include relevant examples from the article or program to
illustrate your points. Examples of theories include Marx’s and Weber’s theories of inequality,
Park’s race relations cycle, Gordon’s theory of assimilation, human capital theory, scapegoat
hypothesis, theory of authoritarian personality, split labor market theory, the contact hypothesis,
the Noel hypothesis, the Blauner hypothesis, and the culture of poverty theory.
4. Choose one of the following to discuss (choose whidi is appropriate for your chosen article):
1. Discuss how one or more of Merton’s four categories of prejudice and discrimination (from
the Merton’s Typology of Prejudice and Discrimination interactive in Unit 3) apply to the
article or program you chose.
2. Explain which of the types of racial and ethnic group relations explained in Chapter 2 of the
Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class text (assimilation, pluralism, separatism, and revolution)
best describes how race and ethnic relations are presented in your media program or
article.
5. In your conclusion (one paragraph), suggest a viable strategy for improving relationships among
the groups that are portrayed in your news artide or program.
