4/6 class discussion notes on synthesis prompts

Stereotypes

Introduction: In today’s society, gender stereotypes influence the roles that men and women play. Critics of gender stereotypes complain that they limit career choices, personality traits, and opportunities, but proponents say that they allow people to fit in and fulfill important duties.

Prompt: Carefully read the sources, and then in a well developed essay support, challenge or qualify the claim that gender stereotypes limit opportunities for women.

Race
Religion
Education
Discrimination
Family
Single parent homes
PTSD


Introduction
Frame the problem: what is wrong? How do people feel about it?

Assignment
Prompt: debatable issue – what you agree with, challenge, or qualify


Gender Stereotypes in the Media
In today’s society there are stereotypical views about the role men and women play. The media often presents images of men and women fulfilling these roles (and sometimes subverting them). Critics of the media say these depictions strengthen stereotypes and lead to conformity to typical roles. Proponents of media argue that it is only a reflection of society or that educating people about gender roles makes them more successful in fulfilling societal expectations.

Assignment
Read all sources. Develop an essay that supports, challenges, or qualifies the claim that media unfairly strengthens stereotypes.



Introduction:
What is the problem/issue? What are the opposing sides’ arguments? Is there any necessary background?

Assignment:
Debatable issue – require taking position
Support, challenge, qualify

Introduction: Historically women have been viewed as intellectually and physically inferior to men. In today’s society, perceptions are slowly changing, but people debate whether the gender divide can disappear. Some think that it is a biological certainty that men and women behave differently while others believe that without societal influence the gender differences between men and women would cease to exist.

Assignment: Read all sources carefully. Synthesize at least 3 and develop an argument that supports, challenges or qualifies the claim that gender is a social construct not rooted in biology.




Obesity
Health effects from processed food
Company influence on production techniques
Control over consumers
Diabetes/ health problems
Environmental
Animal cruelty
Food production/economy
Costs of good food
Government regulations/grading
Organic
Government corruption
Discrimination
Race
Identity
Education
Insecurity
Family
Single parent homes
Music videos – degradation of women
Censorship
Effects of music on community
Music creates controversy
Society disapproves of rebellious music
Crime fighting
Illuminati
Technology changing quality of music
Genre stereotypes
Promotes unrealistic dreams
Effects on children
Draft/acquire soldiers/recruitment
Effects on soldiers
Psychological effects
Physical effects
Warfare
Cruelty
War crimes
Civil/foreign wars
Invasion vs. invitation
Rehabilitation
Structural design
Government response/responsibility to citizens
Impact on victims
Public awareness
Grief
Effects of mourning
Grief – physical or psychological
Support systems
Regulation vs. deregulation
Growth of corporations
Revolving door
Bank bonuses