Description
Format:
Uploaded as a Word or PDF document or copy and pasted into the textbox
12-point font (any style), double-spaced
No title page, headers, or page numbers needed
Requirements:
Choose one of the paper topics below
Minimum 1,500 words (around 4-5 pages double-spaced)
Cite at least two course materials in-text in ASA style (only one can be a mini-lecture video)
Topic 1: Gender Policy Discourse Analysis
Overview: In this paper you will choose one recent law or policy that focuses on gender and analyze it from the sociological perspective. In particular, you will assess whether the policy is primarily using a biological determinist perspective or a social constructionist perspective of gender.
Purpose: One of the primary things I hope students come away with from SOC 324 is the ability to notice the theoretical perspectives used when talking about gender today. This paper will help you practice analyzing the perspectives underlying gender law and policy in order to assess whether or not the policy aligns with how you see gender and how you might vote on such a policy if you come across it in the future.
Policies must be:
Directly related to gender
From 2020 or newer
Can be or enacted/passed or introduced/proposed
Must come from a formal institution (government, school, business, law enforcement etc.)
If you aren’t sure if your law/policy qualifies, email me and we can discuss.
Paper Sections:
1. Background (5%)
Who is responsible for this policy? Some questions to consider are:
Who wrote it or created it?
In addition to the creators, are there any other people/groups that have publicly supported it?
2. Summary (10%)
Summarize the policy in your own words. Some questions to consider are:
What is the policy trying to accomplish?
What issue or problem is it trying to address?
Who will be affected by the policy?
3. Theoretical Analysis (70%)*
In your opinion, does this policy engage/invoke biological determinism of gender or the social constructionist perspective of gender? If you argue it uses both, include specific details of which section of the policy aligns with which perspective. Provide specific examples from the text of the policy with your personal analysis to support your answer.
*This should be the longest and most in-depth section of your paper.
4. Describe at least one other concept from this section of class that you see reflected in the policy.
Some examples of the concepts/topics we have covered this section are: doing gender, discursive aggression, hegemonic masculinity, pariah femininity, intersectionality, undoing gender, etc.
5. Grammar and Style (5%)
6. ASA In-text Citation (5%)
7. Meets Word Count (5%)
You can pick any policy related to gender, and if you aren’t sure where to start, below are some places to explore.
LegiscanLinks to an external site.
If you find a law you are interested in analyzing, you can find the full text of all US legislation
You can also search by keyword
Movement Advancement ProjectLinks to an external site.
Click on “Equality Maps” then “Choose an Issue”
Trans Legislation TrackerLinks to an external site.
Women’s Health PoliciesLinks to an external site.
