racism, discrimination, and social responsibility written assignment

• 20% of course grade
• Submitting through Canvas automatically submits the paper to TurnItIn.com
• No makeups, corrections or re-takes
• Grading: See rubric below

Rationale:

This written assignment will allow you to develop and demonstrate skills in all four core curriculum objectives areas. You will develop your critical thinking and communication skills, while practicing quantitative and empirical literacy skills.  You will gain intercultural competency and explore your own sense of social responsibility.  And you will learn to apply psychological concepts to current events, your life and/or the lives of those you know.

General Directions:

You must divide the paper in to the following sections or headings (Roman numerals), or it will not be accepted.

Please write a minimum of 750 words in which you accomplish the following:

I.  Definitions

A.  Define racism. 

B. Define discrimination. 

And cite your sources for each within the text of your paper and in the sources section, using APA style, in both places.

II.  Psychological Concepts

A.  Define each of the following 5 conceptsSPECIFICALLY and CLEARLY EXPLAIN HOW EACH CONCEPT IS RELATED TO OR CONTRIBUTES TO THE PHENOMENA OF RACISM/DISCRIMINATION.

(The 5 concepts below are the ONLY ones you may apply to your example below.)  

And cite your sources for each within the text of your paper and in the sources section, using APA style, in both places.

1. Ethnocentrism

2. Fundamental attribution error

3. Learned helplessness

4. Self-fulfilling prophecy

5. Victim Blaming

III.  Example 

A.  Describe an experience you have learned about from the media (news, internet, newspaper, magazine, etc.) with racism and/or discrimination.  DO NOT USE A PERSONAL EXAMPLE OR ONE OF SOMEONE YOU KNOW.  Make sure your example is of a documented case (like George Floyd) and MAKE SURE TO CITE, IN APA STYLE, WHERE YOU GOT THE EXAMPLE(website, television news, etc.).

1.  Apply at least TWO of the five concepts above to that experience,AND CLEARLY EXPLAIN EACH CONCEPT HOW THAT CONCEPT IS EVIDENCED IN YOUR EXAMPLE.

IV.  Social Responsibility

A. Define INDIVIDUAL social responsibility. And cite your sources for each within the text of your paper and in the sources section, using APA style, in both places.

B. Reflect on and specify what social responsibility means to you personally.

C.  Determine and list (specifically) at least 3 ways in which you can be socially responsible in regards to matters of race and/or discrimination. 

D. Summarize the personal and societal benefits of being socially responsible.

V.  Sources

Use at least 3 reliable sources to research these concepts. You should start with your textbook since you are looking to LEARN these concepts before you can apply them.  Your text can be included in your  three required sources.   You should then watch my video in the Media Gallery for help understanding these concepts.  This lecture can also be used as one of your sources.  You may use magazines and newspapers and other media sources.  Remember that you have to learn these concepts, so go to sites that teach the concept.  Journal articles are not usually helpful in doing that. For definitions, most .org websites are good, and any .edu site will be good.   You can also use psychological sites such as:   

DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA (ever, in college).  

DO NOT USE GENERAL DICTIONARIES.

DO NOT USE ENCYCLOPEDIAS SUCH AS BRITANICA.

Provide your sources in APA style (the Citation Machine will put things in APA style for you ()

Other General Directions:

Do not plagiarize your work. Cite your sources within the text of your paper, next to the definition, in APA style.  Use quotes when necessary.  

Your paper will be automatically processed through Turn It In when you submit it, but you must give your permission by checking the required box (agreeing to their terms).

Turn It In report should be under 12%.  If it is higher, there is probably something you should put in quotes. 

EXACT requirements for paper headings are included in the grading rubric for this assignment.  ASSIGNMENTS WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE HEADINGS (Roman numerals) WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.