PURPOSE
A broad aim of this course is better understand diversity by studying how the individual constructs it and how we can better understand the individual by learning how they are defined and influenced by social diversity (Blaine & McClure Brenchley, 2020). We project our own attitudes, feelings, expectations, and fears onto the situations we encounter. Applied to our social contexts, this principle says that the differentness we perceive between ourselves and other people or among other people may be inaccurate (Blaine & McClure Brenchley, 2020). This paper is asking students to consider the impact social categories (e.g. race and/or gender) to which an individual belongs may affect or influence societal outcomes such as access to higher levels of socioeconomic status. This assignment is intended to help you to evaluate, interpret, and support conclusions drawn from multiple theoretical and practical perspectives to explain content, determine its usefulness, and offer productive explanations.
BACKGROUND
The American Dream is a national character or set of values of the United States. A set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” regardless of social class or circumstances of birth (Source: Library of Congress. American Memory. “What is the American Dream?”, lesson plan). The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that “all men are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Kamp, 2009). This assignment is asking you to critically think and evaluate ways in which access and outcomes related to the “American Dream” are affected by social category membership. Specifically, you are being asked to compare and contrast your perspective and understanding of topics such as racism and sexism and how they may affect these issues based on the discussion outlined in the research presented in the text.
By exploring the theoretical and practical implications of social category membership, students may be able to better understand how social diversity can affect an individual’s daily life. Use the research and information from the text to help examine and clarify your perspective to address the assignment Tasks.
Supplemental Material
You may use information from the videos below to help shape and organize your thoughts and ideas for the assignment. The information in the videos below is not required to complete the assignment. The videos you can find on youtube https://youtu.be/j9kT1yO4MGg?si=OjdX52hxjIU0qKhn
https://youtu.be/vP4iY1TtS3s?si=d6H3GcddkWiMW38k
https://youtu.be/YGAaWjsAOCA?si=2vDn1i3GWaOGptNs
TASKS
In your response, you must address all of the items below. Complete each task in the order listed.
American Dream Defined (Criterion#1): (this criterion should take approximately 1-2 paragraphs to address)
Briefly define the “American Dream” in your own words.
Think about the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, that “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. Do you believe that the definition of the “dream” has changed over time or stayed the same? If changed, explain how. If stayed the same, explain how.
Make sure to fully discuss, explain, and provide clear support for your reasoning.
Access to the American Dream (Criterion#2): (this criterion should take approximately 2-4 paragraphs to address)
When discussing “access” to the American Dream, students should understand that this primarily refers to one’s ability to engage with opportunities, financial and educational resources, and social and professional environments that assist in elevating social status or stature.
Do you agree or disagree that the American Dream is accessible to everyone? If you agree, why? If you do not agree, why?
Discuss and explain ways in which racial and gender prejudice might impact access to the “American Dream” according to Blaine and McClure Brenchley (2020).
Specifically, discuss and explain how contemptuous prejudice and racism can work together to affect access to the American dream for minority group members.
Identify and describe the ways in which hostile and benevolent forms of sexism might reinforce patriarchy in the workforce and academic settings.
Clearly explain and support your response, including definitions of terms with examples, information, and evidence provided in Chapters 5 and 6 of Blaine and McClure Brenchley (2020).
PAY ATTENTION: Do not just copy word-for-word information from the text. You are being asked to analyze and synthesize the information to support your reasoning. Critical thinking involves the ability to use information presented to provide logical and reasoned positions when writing.
Outcomes of the American Dream (Criterion#3): (this criterion should take approximately 2-4 paragraphs to address)
When discussing “outcomes” of the American Dream, students should understand that this primarily refers to one’s achieved social standing and stature as it relates to numerous “quality of life” metrics such as health, finances, education, etc.
Do you agree or disagree that the pursuit of the American Dream results in the same outcomes for everyone? If you agree, why? If you do not agree, why?
Discuss and explain ways in which racial and gender prejudice might impact the outcome or success in achieving the “American Dream” according to Blaine and McClure Brenchley (2020).
Specifically, discuss and explain how implicit prejudice among health care professionals, and racism in the health care system, could impact health outcomes.
Describe three ways that Blacks may experience discrimination in the criminal justice system.
Describe and explain why women underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering & math) field and the role that the gender pay gap might play in successful pursuit of the American Dream.
Clearly explain and support your response, including definitions of terms with examples, information, and evidence provided in Chapters 5 and 6 of Blaine and McClure Brenchley (2020).
PAY ATTENTION: Do not just copy word-for-word information from the text. You are being asked to analyze and synthesize the information to support your reasoning. Critical thinking involves the ability to use information presented to provide logical and reasoned positions when writing.
Textbook and Research Connection (Criterion#4): (this criterion applies throughout the response as textbook support for each criterion and clear connection to textbook and additional research examples). Do not just copy from the textbook or assigned readings. You are being asked to explain and discuss this information. Thus, you need to use your critical thinking skills and logic to make connections, compare, and contrast your own experiences and knowledge with the ideas/research discussed in the assigned readings.
Additional Assignment Requirements
Formatting (Citation Style)-APA Citation and Reference Requirement:
APA style in-text/narrative citations and references are required.
The appropriate level of citation is REQUIRED.
Website Use: Students may not use websites, of any kind, as a primary source of content definitions or informationin their responses.
Plagiarism Policy: Submissions that do not contain both APA style in-text citation and reference, using the appropriate level of citation, and/or which use websites of any kind as a primary source may receive a zero. This includes submissions with a TurnItIn score greater than 25%, which may be flagged for possible plagiarism.
Formatting Essay Requirements
Formatting must be:
Word Count & Depth: A minimum of 1000 words. (If this assignment were submitted in a Word document it would be approximately 2 FULL pages, single-spaced, 12-point New Times Roman font or similar. Do not exceed 3 pages. Reference citations included on a separate page do not count towards writing minimum or maximum.)
Grammar and Mechanics/Flow & Structure Quality: Must use effective grammar with minimal errors. Must flow logically and use expected structural elements.
Formatting Structure: Do not use any titles, title pages, headings, course names or dates, etc. If you include your name or ID it should be included in the “header” of the document and not part of the main content. This excludes correct APA reference formatting.
Formatting Structure: Do not use bullet points, outlines, or numbers in your response. Essay/paragraph format is required.
As stated in the syllabus and APA tutorial modules on Avoiding Plagiarism, responses that do not contain BOTH in-text/narrative citation and references, using the appropriate level of citation will be flagged for plagiarism and receive a zero.
Assignment responses that do not fulfill all of the stated Tasks will receive point deductions. See rubric for point breakdown. View the longer descriiptions in the rubric for additional grading information.
Criterion#1 American Dream Defined
Criterion#2 Access to the American Dream
Criterion#3 Outcomes of the American Dream
Criterion#4Textbook and Research Connection
APA Citation & Reference Requirement
Formatting Requirements
