This document provides instructions for the first assignment in a course on gender and society. Students are asked to select a research topic related to the course, and submit a 3-page paper including a 1-page description of their topic and a 2-page outline. The outline must address: 1) the background, current issues, and future predictions about the topic as it relates to gender; and 2) which course readings and theories are relevant to analyzing the topic critically. Some potential topics are listed but students can choose others, as long as they are relevant to gender. The assignment is due by the end of week two.

1. Description of Research Project
For the first assignment, you will include a description of your
research topic as well as an outline for your paper. The specific
assignment instructions and grading rubric for Assignment One
are linked below. Upload your completed assignment as a
document in this area. Select "Add Attachments," browse to
select the document, select continue, and then select submit.
Remember to follow the APA-formatting guidelines for all
written assignments in the course.
Homework One: Selection of Research Topic and Outline
Overview of Research Paper:
Throughout the course, you will complete a research project
that will allow you to utilize your research skills and knowledge
of sociology. This project is designed to strengthen your
research skills and your ability to critically analyze social
issues. You will complete your project in a series of four
assignments that will result in the submission of a 12-16 page
research paper. The assignments are as follows:
Assignment One: Research Topic/Outline due Week
Two.
Assignment Two: Annotated Bibliography due Week
Four.
Assignment Three: Rough Draft due Week Six.
Assignment Four: Final Draft due Week Eight.
In this course, we will address many topics related to gender
and society (socialization, media, health, religion, deviance,
family, workplace, etc.). The research paper should show a
comprehension and analysis of the course readings and course
objectives. The weekly readings and sociological theories
should serve as a beginning point for your paper and should be
incorporated into the final paper.
For the research paper, you will need to select a topic of
interest that is related to the course and readings. Incorporate

2. related, scholarly materials (minimum of 10 sources) into your
analysis. Also incorporate instructor feedback as you complete
each step of the project. A list of potential topics is included
below. You will select a topic that interests you and provide a
critical analysis of the topic and it’s relevance in contemporary
society.
Assignment One:
The first written assignment requires you to select an
appropriate research topic for this course and to submit an
outline of how you wish to analyze the topic. Select a topic that
is interesting to you that is also related to the course topics and
materials. This paper should be a new project and not a paper
that has been completed for any other course. Identify your
topic and how it relates to the course. How is your topic a
relevant issue regarding gender? How will you pursue a critical
analysis of this topic? After you provide a 1-page description
of your topic, include a 2-page outline of how you plan to
structure the paper. The following points from the paper should
be addressed in your outline:
1. The background, current, and future issues related to your
topic
a. Explain the background/history of the topic. What
events, laws, policies, etc. have been related to the topic?
b. How do these factors describe why your topic is an
important social issue today?
c. What are the current policies, debates, controversies, etc.
related to the topic?
d. How does the topic affect contemporary society?
e. What social change do you predict will occur in relation to
this topic in the future?
2. The course materials and social theories that relate to your
topic.
a. Which theoretical perspectives best support your
argument?
c. How does your topic relate to the course and readings?
3. Critical analysis of topic

3. a. Clearly state your research question
b. Discuss the relationship between gender and your
selected topic
Potential topics include (but are not limited to):
- Sexism in the Media
- Parental Leave in the Workplace
- The Gender Pay Gap
- Violence Against Women
- The Feminist Movement
- Gender and Body Image
- Sexual harassment
Paper Requirements:
3 pages in length
Follow APA formatting guidelines
Include a title page
Submit your paper no later than Sunday at 11:55 pm of Week
Two.
Submit your paper in Assignments and to Turnitin.com. See the
Turnitin folder in Resources for further instructions.