This assignment will require you to think about gender, sexuality and social institutions. You will apply a social theory (Structural Functionalism, Conflict, Symbolic Interaction, Feminist or Queer Theory) to discuss how sexism and heterosexism are embedded in social institutions. You will evaluate how inequality is created and maintained by social institutions. You will be asked to think carefully about current policies in place to prevent discrimination and bias against women and against members of marginalized sexual and gender orientations. You will be asked to make suggestions on how these policies could be improved.
For this activity, you will identify one area where sexism or heterosexism is evident in one of the key social institutions you have studied. You will find a current event article from a local, national or international news source that details an institutional act of sexism or heterosexism. This might include laws that allow women or the LGBTQA community to be treated unfairly, reports on differences in pay or hiring practices, publicized violations of Title IX, or any other act that appears biased that is committed by an institution.
Next, select a current event from a local or national news source that discusses a sexist or heterosexist act. Then, please write an approximately 750 words of text (approximately 3 pages of double-spaced, 12-point font of text) essay addressing the following question prompts. A references list should make up an additional page.
Briefly summarize the article that you have selected. Provide the specifics of the act and which social institution is engaged in the act.
Provide a theoretical explanation for why the act occurred. This must be a structural explanation that focuses on the institution. Use the theory that best fits your understanding of the act.
Discuss how this act was managed. For example, if it was illegal, what were the legal sanctions against the institution? If not illegal, what was the public response?
Finally, suggest policy changes that might prevent future occurrences of this act.
This easy needs:
1. A title page;
2. Well-developed introductory paragraph explaining the purpose of the essay and briefly referencing some of the main points/contentions offered in the essay;
3. The body of the essay should consist of your effort to best answer the primary questions from the assignment prompt and should consist of approximately 750 words (approximately 3 pages of double-spaced, 12-point font of text).
