Instruction
You will choose a topic of your choice. I suggest that you research a topic (a question) you are very curious about, something not that common and that has to do with different cultures. Be as specific as possible. Think about a population or populations, two or three variables, time, and location. For example, if your topic is “Awareness of clothing production in contemporary society ” you can look at which countries our clothing comes from/where they are produced, who produce them and how. You might want to begin by looking at how significant clothing is in the US and into the clothing practices and influences on clothing decisions. Then you can ask your research subjects about these questions. They can look at the tags in their clothing. Your research subjects can be your family, friends, people who accepted to participate that you don’t know personally. You can instead or in addition look into changes in clothing between two generations, and/or compare clothing in two different countries.
Your research should include what the literature and/or what other scholars have said about this topic, but then, you will need to base your findings mostly on first-hand information by conducting interviews. You can also use participant observation and can conduct a survey or a questionnaire to support, contradict or expand. Divide your population for example, into ages or generations, religious/religious, financial stability, country of origin, background (city vs. rural), and gender.
Please read carefully as you will earn points for the research’s content as well as for respecting the deadlines and following the instructions. Late papers will not be accepted. See the syllabus for make-up work. Ask ahead of time if you do not understand something about the instructions. Make sure to grammar and spell check your paper and to divide your writing into paragraphs.
The maximum of points you will earn for this project is 30. The points are divided into the following:
5 for parts/subtitles
6 clarity, organization and cohesiveness
5 for addressing the topic adequately
5 for the interviews, questionnaires and/or survey
3 for citation
2 for page limit
4 for references.
30 total
The research project should be 8-10 double-spaced pages long in Times or Arial font. This does not include a title page with your name (the researcher), and the abstract (consult samples of abstracts). Abstract should only be a few sentences long. The paper should also include the following sections with a subtitle: introduction, methodology, findings, conclusion, and references. The introduction, methodology, conclusion, and references should be less than one page each. The findings should cover most of the essay. Sample of interview questions, surveys or questionnaires should be included at the end as an appendix. The list of “References” should include at least two refences from a written source. ASA or APA are the preferred formats, but MLA is also accepted as long as it is consistent. Be aware of the FAMU Academic Honesty Policy and the violation of plagiarism.
It is highly recommended that you keep a copy of the final research project.
List of Research Topics (They can be combined. You should focus on a particular period of time, ethnic group, and geographical area; You can combine the topics and/or do a comparison between two ethnic groups.)
Human zoos, exhibitionions of ethnic groups
Inter-ethnic conflicts
The pros and cons of colonization, religious dominance or missionary work
Assimilation, cultural changes
Eugenics, ethnocide, genocide
Use of humans in poor countries to test drugs
Hunters and gatherers today, pastoralists today
The significance of animals
History of a crop, a plant, the use of food for other purposes than eating
State formation, capitalism vs. other economic systems and the consequences on an ethnic group
Participation in the industry, manufacturing in the global economy
The situation of agriculture, the control of seeds, waste, recycling practices
Homelessness, racial issues, class divisions, caste system; refugees
Climate change, people’s attitude, how it is affecting a country or a region, pollution
Different human adaptations, like to heat, cold, fast pace
Body appearance (clothing, hair, piecing, tattooing, body alteration)
Health issues, medicine, addictions, the use of non-traditional methods
Diet and changes over time, eating habits
Festival and celebrations
Grouping, family (significance and changes), relationship between different generations
Migration experience, adaptation, assimilation
Traveling, exposure to other cultures, participation in tourism or tourism as a way to make money
Language practices and experiences, changes, bilingualism, non-verbal communication
Technology (dependence), social media and the concept of privacy
Interaction with nature
Infant experience, childhood care, playing, school life
Rural vs. urban lifestyle
Crime, the legal system; policing, the military experience
Market, the impact of the media, TV programing, the film industry
Life on campus and the exposure of diversity
Education, discipline, choosing a career, job experience, An ethnic group known for choosing a career
Politics, politics and religion, political issues, activism
Participation in sports, the Olympics
Sex education, sexual experience, gender issues, marriage, polygamy and other arrangements, parenting
Transportation
Social identity, personality, values, friendships
The United Nations and other world organizations (their role and functions)
Indigenous groups connections around the world
Different religions, religious aspects or elements (their significance), personal religion, the non-religious path
Rituals: baptism, weddings, funerary, and so forth
Housing, different styles of houses, the culture of tiny house, decoration and wellbeing
Living with a disability
Music and other art expressions, sacred spaces, significant spaces
Concept and use of time
Cultural appropriation, fashion, what’s trendy
Dying or death practices, meanings, costs, waste or pollution, new eco-friendly practices
Concept of happiness
Concept of the past, present and future