This document outlines an assessment requiring students to create a 12-slide PowerPoint presentation analyzing a key diversity issue. Students must discuss the evolution of related social movements and how sociological theory explains disparities in political power. The presentation should provide historical context, analyze relevant legislation and debates, introduce important political players, and anticipate/answer audience questions.

1. Create a PowerPoint presentation on a key diversity issue, with
at least 12 slides incorporating research and data.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will
demonstrate your proficiency in the following course
competencies and assessment criteria
Competency 1: Describe theoretical ideas of power in relation
to policy.
Discuss how sociological theory can be used to
understand disparities in political power.
Competency 2: Identify historical and contemporary influences
of discrimination in U. S. culture.
Discuss tactics employed by political players to promote a
cause.
Describe the evolution of the social movements that have
emerged as a result of a diversity issue.
Competency 3: Analyze the effects of social policy using
aggregated data.
Address potential audience questions using supporting data and
research.

2. Competency 4: Analyze how laws are applied or created based
on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and
social class.
Analyze the evolution of anti-discrimination law to give context
to current law or policy.
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.
Many of the current political, legal, and social debates in U.S.
society center around diversity and its related issues. These
debates, such as debates about the legality or morality of same-
sex marriage or immigration policy, involve not only arguments
regarding discriminatory treatment of particular ethnic groups
or sexual minorities but also legal, economic, and religious
questions and concerns.
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Applying the sociological perspective to these debates is useful,
because it requires researching these diverse perspectives and

3. placing them in historical and contemporary contexts to gain a
deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of the
debate and current and proposed policy solutions. This also puts
us in a position in which we can more accurately evaluate and
critique the merits of comments made and policies suggested by
politicians, leaders, and others with a stake in these debates.
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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How and why has U.S. immigration policy changed since the
mid-20th century? What are the similarities and differences
between current immigrant groups and patterns of immigration
compared to historical trends?
What are the costs and benefits of immigration, whether legal or
illegal, for the United States as a whole?
What are the key arguments of the stakeholders in the debate
about the morality and legality of same-sex marriage rights?
How should disparities between state and federal policies
regarding same-sex marriage be handled?
What are key issues in the struggle to reduce discrimination
based on gender, age, religion, and/or disability status?

4. This assessment requires application of a specific sociological
theory to your analysis of a key issue in the study of diversity.
Below are resources that discuss the three major theories in
sociology.
Social-Conflict Perspective
.
This presentation reviews social-conflict theory (also called
conflict theory), a sociological theory that focuses on power.
Structural-Functional Perspective
.
This presentation reviews structural-functional theory (also
called functionalism), one of the major sociological theories.
Symbolic-Interaction Perspective
.
This presentation reviews symbolic interaction theory, one of
the major sociological theories.

5. Your task in this assessment is to first choose one of the
following social issues related to diversity: immigration policy,
same-sex marriage, gender inequality, disability rights, or age
discrimination. If you have another diversity-related social
issue you would like to focus on other than these options,
contact your faculty for approval before you begin working on
this assessment. Once you have selected a social issue to focus
on, you will then create a presentation that would be delivered
at a symposium on a college campus. You will need to place
your social issue in historical context, which will involve
researching the history of policy as it pertains to your chosen
topic and the social movements that developed as a result (for
example, the gay rights movement or women's rights
movement). You will also be asked to propose and address
potential questions audience members might ask in this kind of
situation.
Deliverable
Focusing on your social issue, create a PowerPoint presentation
that addresses each of the items below. Include graphics with
supporting data in the form of charts, tables, or graphs when
appropriate, and include any other information that supports
your message. Be sure to include extensive speaker's notes to
provide detailed explanation of each of the subtopics covered in
the presentation. Notes should be typed in the Notes area below
each PowerPoint slide.
Include the following components:
Provide an overview and description of the central issue you
have chosen to address.
Describe the evolution of the social movements that are a
precursor for or have emerged as a result of your chosen issue.

6. Include a timeline with key events to provide historical context.
Describe any milestones that have characterized the
development of the social movement involving your issue.
Briefly analyze the following for your selected topic:
The evolution of federal legislation on the topic over the past
10 years.
The current political landscape, including key political debates
related to your central issue.
Introduce the important political players (individuals or groups)
in the national debate, and discuss the tactics these individuals
or groups have used to call attention to or advance their
position.
Explain how sociological theory (such as conflict theory or
symbolic interaction theory) can be used to understand your
issue.
Consider which theory might explain why some players have
more power than others in this debate.
Include a brief conclusion slide that summarizes your findings.

7. Provide two questions (following your conclusion) that you
anticipate that your audience might ask about your topic,
including these questions on one of your slides.
Provide answers for each question, typing your answers in the
Notes area below the Questions slide you have created.
Use data and information from your research to support your
responses.
For example, if you are discussing immigration policy, a
potential question would be "Are immigrants taking the jobs of
native-born Americans?" Similarly, a potential question about
same-sex marriage might be, "How has public perception of
same-sex marriage changed over the last few decades?"