course materials

1. Ethnic Roots and The Unique Experiences of Parents Research Paper
Question DescriptionResearch Paper Ethnic Roots First draft must be submitted to
professor prior to final draft submission. Each student will write a 8-10 page paper that
explores your “families ” ethnic roots and the unique experiences of parents, grandparents,
and/or other significant caregivers in the student’s life. The purpose of this assignment is
for students to explore their own ethnic roots and examine the unique experiences of
parents/grandparents/great grandparents and beyond/or other significant caregivers that
have shaped their path in life. This paper will allow students to look at their roots globally.
The paper should be double-spaced, in APA format, include 10 scholarly sources, the ones
from your annotated bibliography (see me if you are using any other sources)Do not copy
and paste material from your annotated bibliography.The paper should include the
following headings and answer the questions below. Include reference page and in text
citations. (10 in text citations that match references on reference page). The reference page
is not your annotated bibliography .All references on reference page should be alphabetized
Each student should personally address all of the parts below: Part I Family as a social
institution (1-2 pages) 2 sources Background of Self Describe yourself age and birthplace,
How do you define family? Choose the definition of family that is most relevant to you. How
is your definition of self influenced by your siblings, parents, environment and social groups
you belong to? How did your family provide a training ground for you to learn about
appropriate gender roles? Current cultural orientation and importance of this to your
identity (culture refers to beliefs, behaviors, values, norms, language) Part II Background of
Ancestors (1-2 pages) Share any family stories that have been transmitted through the
generations that has helped give you a better picture of your culture and where you come
from How did ancestors enter into either the United States or your country of origin (e.g.,
were they voluntary immigrants, involuntary, time of entry, etc.?). By the standards of social
institutions and conformity, were individuals related to you included or excluded in their
society? Were ethnic roots emphasized or downplayed? A) Background of Maternal
Parents/Grandparents/Great Grandparents: Description of what you know about your (1)
mother, (2) maternal grandparents and great grandparents.B) Background of Paternal
Parents/Grandparents/Great Grandparents: • Description of what you know about your (1)
father, (2) paternal grandparents, (3) paternal great grandparents. How did your family
maintain connections to their culture, community, and/or society? (for example specific
rituals or traditions that you continue to observe in your family) Part III Education, religion,
economy (social class) (1-2 pages) 3 sources Inquire about social institutions and levels of

2. family functioning that impacted your parents: Education- Discuss occupations, special
skills or talents held by family members and the value placed on education. How did
educational opportunities (or lack of) influence your family, society, and your future
outlook? How did your educational experiences provide a training ground for you learning
more about your gender role in society? Religion- Discuss role of religion and impact on
family functioning, identity, and group cohesion. Did your family focus more on dogma or
rituals? If religion was not a significant institution to your family then was there something
else that substituted for meeting the basic functions of this institution? Economy- Did you or
your family experience any economic conditions or natural disasters that forced people to
make difficult decisions? What role did social class and/or social power play in your
families’ experiences? Impact of external events on your family (wars, the depression,
environmental concerns) Part IV Deviance and Social Control (2 pages) 2 sources
Experiences with larger society (This section should include 2 peer reviewed research
articles or texts on ethnic group, conformity, deviance, social class, assimilation,
stereotypes, discrimination and/or bias.) Please address the first item (*) then at least 2 of
the following: *** Define 3 social norms (rules of behavior) that your family and society
consider important for inclusion into your culture. .Discuss the consequences to your family
when these norms are violated. How were issues of deviance and conformity addressed?
Please describe this and its application to your family. Were there informal or formal social
controls that influenced your family?• Did you or your family experience discrimination
(ethnic, cultural, or gender) and how was this addressed? How did it impact your families’
identity?• How did your family respond to stereotypes of themselves and/or others? • How
did they avoid/attempt/achieve assimilation and integration? (e.g., were names changed to
fit into mainstream society?) • Describe experiences of family members in terms of the
presence or absence of cultural assimilation by addition, (impact of marital
assimilation.)Part V Personal Reflections (1 page) No sources necessary
Conclusion/Reflections: • What conclusions do you personally draw about your own
current status of assimilation based on your ethnic roots, socialization, and personal
experiences? • Did you learn anything about your families’ history that you did not know
prior to this assignment? • From your research what do anticipate the implications will be
for your emerging identity and belonging? Please include a works cited page (minimum 10
sources). There should be 10 in text citations. The paper should be double-spaced, in APA
format, include 10 scholarly sources (preferably the ones used in the A.B.) with intext
citations and a reference page. Any paper without in text citations matching items on
reference page will receive a 0. Any paper with a reference page and no in text citations will
receive a 0. The paper should include headings after the introduction and thesis statement
.title introduction and thesis Headings:Part I Background of Self; Part II Background of
ancestors Part IIIReligion, Economy, and Education Part IVDeviance Part V Personal
Reflections Papers without headings will be deducted points. Include works cited page and
in text citations. (Minimum 10) 8-10 pages in length