Overview
The final project for this course is a position paper. Through this assignment, you will illustrate the position of a social advocacy group on a minority relationsrelated issue. You will assume the role of a researcher for a social advocacy group that focuses on issues related to minority relations. You will assume that your
manager has tasked you with writing a position paper that clearly articulates the group’s stance on a given issue related to minority relations in an attempt to
justify the ultimate goal of the social advocacy group. In other words, you will attempt to convince various stakeholders and policymakers about the validity of
your position on the issue. Within the first few modules of the course, you will have the opportunity to select an issue to focus on in your paper. You may choose
an issue from the options provided, or submit your own idea to the instructor for approval. You will then analyze the issue through the incorporation of evidence
and the application of sociological theory.
Minority relations-related issues you may consider include the following (The New York Times, 2016):

• Unequal access to educational opportunities for minorities (school busing, charter schools, etc.)
• Lack of diversity in politics and the media
• Affirmative action in college
• Public housing policies (e.g., a ban on smoking)
• Minority unemployment
  This project is divided into two milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to provide you opportunities to conduct research
  and work on elements of your paper. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three and Five. The final product will be submitted in Module Seven.
  In your final position paper, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
• Analyze views of minority relations from a historical perspective for their impact on today’s societies and individuals
• Challenge current stereotypes of minority relations using evidence from observations and other resources
• Determine how reactions toward minority relations have evolved over time, supported by sociological theory
• Communicate results of analyses on minority relations issues, adhering to ethical requirements and other best practices regarding sociological research
  Prompt
  Present your social advocacy group’s position with regard to the minority relations-related issue you selected, and support that position through the application
  of sociological theory and evidence. Challenge preconceived notions around the issue by investigating and summarizing their history and how they have evolved
  over time.
  Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
  I. Introduction: In this section, you will introduce your audience to the minority relations issue you have chosen. You will develop a statement that
  establishes your social advocacy group’s position on the chosen issue. Be sure to employ appropriate ethical considerations and best practices when
  communicating your introduction.
  A. Provide a brief overview of your chosen issue regarding minority relations. Explain the impact of the issue related to social roles within social
  institutions.
  B. Based on your chosen issue, discuss the focus of this position paper in terms of how it aligns with the ultimate goal of the social advocacy group.
  In other words, what are you trying to accomplish by exploring this minority relations issue?
  C. Briefly discuss the evidence that you will use in the analysis of the issue.
  D. Briefly introduce the theory that you will use in the analysis of the issue.
  E. Develop a statement that communicates your social advocacy group’s position on the issue.
  II. Analysis: Now that you have identified a minority relations issue, analyze evidence and apply sociological theory to communicate and support your
  position. Be sure to employ appropriate ethical considerations and best practices when constructing your analysis.
  A. Articulate, in detail, your social advocacy group’s position regarding the issue. Your description should be written in a way that leads into your
  evidence and theory application.
  B. Evaluate prevalent stereotypes regarding the issue. Be sure to address the validity, effects, and persistence of these stereotypes.
  C. Describe recent social change regarding the issue and support your response with examples.
  D. Analyze historical interpretations of the issue within relevant social structures (i.e., social institutions and culture) and support your analysis with
  evidence.
  E. Analyze modern interpretations of the issue within relevant social structures (i.e., social institutions and culture) and support your analysis with
  evidence.
  F. Apply appropriate sociological theory to historical and modern interpretations of the issue to support your overall analysis.
  III. Conclusion: In this section of the position paper, you will summarize the key points of your analysis while adhering to appropriate ethical standards and
  best practices.
  A. Describe the ethical challenges in analyzing the issue. Support your response with examples.
  B. Review the key points of your analysis and make a universal statement about your position regarding the issue. Consider summarizing insights
  and perspectives that were gained through the incorporation of evidence.
  C. Determine possible solutions that would be effective in lessening the negative impact of the issue on society.
  D. Communicate your final position on this issue supported by the findings of your analysis.
  Milestones
  Milestone One: Exploring the Issue Worksheet
  In Module Three, you will submit a worksheet that includes the minority relations-related issue you selected for the project, a brief description of the social
  advocacy group, three or four research sources that you will use to present sociological evidence, and the theoretical lenses you may apply to your analysis. This
  milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
  Milestone Two: Annotated Bibliography
  In Module Five, you will submit an annotated bibliography that includes the following:
  The position you are taking for the paper
  Stereotypes that may need to challenged
  Social change and recent developments affecting perceptions on this issue
  Historical and modern interpretations of the issue within relevant social structures
  Theoretical lenses that can be used to support your analysis
  This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
  Final Submission: Position Paper
  In Module Seven, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final project. It should
  reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.