The document provides instructions for a 5-7 page essay comparing how two U.S. states approach same-sex marriage or immigration policy. It outlines six competencies the essay should demonstrate: 1) describing theories of power in relation to policy, 2) explaining differences in state approaches using theories of power, 3) analyzing effects of policy using demographic data, 4) analyzing how laws are applied based on diversity factors, 5) applying diversity strategies, and 6) writing coherently using proper formatting. The essay should compare the policy, politics, and laws of the two states, explain differences using power theories, discuss how state demographics influence approaches, and analyze discrepancies between state and federal laws.

1. Write a 5–7-page essay comparing the approaches of two U.S.
states to either same-sex marriage or immigration policy.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will
demonstrate your proficiency in the following course
competencies and assessment criteria:
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Competency 1: Describe theoretical ideas of power in relation
to policy.
Discuss how sociological theories of power might explain
differences in how state governments address a social issue.
Competency 3: Analyze the effects of social policy using
aggregated data.
Explain how the demographics of state populations might
influence the policy decisions of state governments.
Competency 4: Analyze how laws are applied or created based
on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and
social class.
Compare law, policy, or politics in states with varying
approaches to a diversity issue.

2. Competency 5: Apply diversity strategies in professional,
educational, and personal contexts.
Analyze discrepancies between state and federal law and the
strategies used to resolve such discrepancies.
Competency 6: Apply in text the standard writing conventions
for the discipline, including structure, voice, person, tone, and
citation formatting.
Write coherently to support a central idea in appropriate format
and with few errors of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
How can sociological research help us understand how laws and
policies are made and how they change over time? How might
we use the sociological perspective to develop more effective
solutions to political and social issues or create policies that are
effective and based on sound research? These are questions to
consider as you explore the connection between political and
economic power and legislative decision making.
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Sociologists studying cultural diversity are also very much
interested in how our beliefs about diversity are reflected in the
law-making and policy-making process, including laws and

3. policies that pertain to immigration and same-sex marriage.
Something to think about is whether the policies and positions
maintained by those in power actually reflect the research and
data on the topic or issue they address. In other words, does the
rhetoric match the evidence gathered through careful research?
As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to
think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or
broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the
questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work
associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional
community. Note that these questions are for your own
development and exploration and do not need to be completed
or submitted as part of your assessment.
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Which sociological theory of power best explains the political
decision-making process in today's society?
How does cultural diversity influence policy making? For
example, how do state policies pertaining to social issues like
immigration and same-sex marriage differ depending on the
cultural diversity and demographic and socioeconomic
composition of that state?
Why is the sociological approach to cultural diversity useful for
understanding how policy decisions are made and how political
debates over social issues are articulated by key stakeholders?
Building on your research and analysis of a diversity issue in
relation to policy developments, this assessment asks you to
more closely examine the connection between power, policy,
and law making by comparing and contrasting how two states of

4. your choosing have handled one of the following policy issues:
same-sex marriage or immigration.
To understand the link between power and political and legal
decision making, you will place this process in each state in the
appropriate context. That means that you need to assess the
historical, demographic, cultural, and socioeconomic factors
that have influenced each state's different approach to
immigration policy or same-sex marriage. You will also reflect
on the consequences of state-to-state discrepancies in policies
and laws regarding controversial social and political issues like
these.
This assessment combines the key components of studying
cultural diversity from a sociological perspective: placing
current social issues in historical context, understanding how
demographic and cultural trends influence public opinion, and
applying sociological theories to determine the role of power in
shaping policy-making decisions.
Deliverable
Write an essay addressing each of the following parts:
Compare how your two states have approached policy, politics,
or law surrounding immigration or same-sex marriage:
Policy (principles or methods used to achieve a particular goal
or make decisions about political or social issues).
Politics (the key political players in the policy-making and law-
making processes).
Law (rules and standards enforced by a particular institution).

5. Discuss how sociological theories of power might explain the
differences between how each state has addressed your issue.
Examples of theories of power include power elite theory, the
four networks theory of power, pluralism, Marxist theory, and
state autonomy theory.
Discuss how the demographics of each state's population might
influence how each state's government has approached your
topic.
Demographics include age, race/ethnicity, gender, education
levels, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and the percentage of
the population in urban versus rural areas.
Analyze discrepancies between state and federal law and
whether and how these discrepancies have been resolved or
should be resolved.
Consider any historical precedents that provide insight about
how to resolve these kinds of discrepancies.