Demographic transformations

Description

INSTRUCTIONS:

Demographic transformations: Please write two thoughtful and well-organized essay responses to the questions listed below. To begin with, each of your essay responses should be no more than 3 single-spaced pages (with 1-inch margins and using 12 points font. This maximum length does not include the cover page and/or bibliography). When developing your essays, please make sure to do the following: 1) think carefully about the questions you are answering; 2) provide a clear argument and/or response to the questions; 3) support your answer with appropriate examples and/or documentation from class readings. Lecture material may also be useful; however, the bulk of your references must be from course readings; 4) Lastly,document all sources/ references you use in your responses.

 All sources relevant in writing the essays should be written in a bibliography. All references/quotes in the text of the essays should be properly cited (you must use standard form citation regardless of style: footnotes, end notes, or in-text citations); 5) be careful to spellcheck your answers. Finally, all essays should take a position which reflects your own understanding and analysis of course material. Answer two questions:

 I.ESSAY QUESTION

 The United States is undergoing major demographic transformations, one of which is its racial and ethnic composition. Sociologists have forecasted that increasing racial/ethnic diversity is already (and will continue to be) an important feature of American society. Yet, racial inequality continues to affect negatively American society. How can this be? Drawing on course readings and lectures, write an essay in which you a)First, explain how the United States has changed demographically in terms of race and ethnicity; b)Second, how whiteness (and colorism in general), prejudice, and racism continue to matter in the U.S, particularly in popular culture, media, and in inter-group interactions); and c)Third, what the forecast for the U.S racial structure and race relations is expected to be in the future.

Finally, what is your evaluation and response to these trends? .Please make sure that you engage with all relevant course readings. Offer a clear understanding of the evidence and then your critical analysis and response. [The most relevant readings to answer this question are the following: Connell and Hartmann (2007); Andersen (2017: Chapters 1 through 4); Vespa, et.al (2018); and Bonilla- Silva (2007).

 ESSAY QUESTION #B

  The dominant theoretical approach in the sociology of race, ethnicity, and immigration in the United States has been assimilation theory. This theory has many strands, which have evolved and have been criticized over time. Yet, despite critiques, current proponents of assimilation theory, just like those of earlier eras, insist that the successful incorporation of new Americans is desirable and possible, even when these populations encounter multiple challenges. But is this really the case? Several alternative theories contest directly or indirectly the principles on which assimilation theory is built upon. Based on your understanding of assimilation theory, write a critical essay in which you a) explain the ideas and arguments of the major proponents of assimilation theory; and b) analyze the strengths or limitations of assimilation theory through a comparison of at least one other (more critical) theory of race, such as: group position theory; and/or racial formation theory.

Consequently, given your comparison, what reasons do you have for either supporting assimilation theory or the other theories? Also, what are your reasons for believing that either assimilation theory or any of the other theories should be considered more persuasive?. Lastly, please make sure that you engage with all relevant course readings, and offer first a clear understanding of the evidence and then your critical analysis and response. [The most relevant readings to answer this question are the following: Blumer (1958); Elias & Feagin (2016); Feagin & Elias (2013); and Nakano-Glenn (2015). Also Lecture material]

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