Social Reform – Final Research Project
Social movements and Social Reform have shaped every facet of social life–from the eight-hour
day, to the terms we use to describe gender identity, to the geopolitical map of the world. The
best way to learn how social movements work—both for academic and practical purposes—is
to study concrete examples in specific historical and social contexts. Throughout the semester,
we have examined (and will continue to examine) various contemporary issues, from education
to gender equality to illegal immigration. With each issue discussed, we explored how
decisions made over the years have had major impacts for future generations and our society
as a whole.
For your final research project, you will make personal connections to class-generated issues of
global concern and integrate our readings and 6 outside sources to examine a CURRENT social
movement/topic/reform of your choosing and explore its impact on you and our society. As
part of this project, you will explore the movement in depth through various methods, including
media, film, and, finally, writing.
The final project is a 10 – page research essay on the movement or category of movements you
have focused on throughout the last half of the semester. The written research paper asks you
to draw on the core questions from the first part of the course to develop an original analysis of
a social movement. If you have done your work well, this paper should be easy to produce: you
will pull together your biographical analysis, movement event analysis, and activist connections
essays, and build on them by relating them to relative academic sources and media reports.
Your research will include 6 referenced sources.
Questions to consider: What “cause” is the group fighting for? What kind of oppression does
the group experience? How does the dominant culture view that group? How does the group
communicate its message to the broader community? How successful has the group been in
generating allies or public support for the cause? In what ways is this group courageously
resisting oppression?
Sample topic ideas
 Transgender Activism  Black Lives Matter
 Women’s Rights
 The Tea Party
 Environmentalism
 Millennial Activism
 LGBTQ Activism
 Feminism
 Domestic Worker/Immigration
 Censorship
 Police Reform
 Religion-Based Discrimination
 Human Rights Violations
 Racial Reform
 Voting Rights
 Government and Morality
English 1A
Prof: J. Stokes Cobb
Final Research Project Schedule:
March 13
Summary: You will submit a 1-page summary of the movement/social justice issue you will focus on during the second
half of the semester. It could be broad (“transgender activism”) or specific (“transgender bathroom debates at Chabot
College.”) Keep in mind that you will be thinking and writing about this theme for the remainder of the semester, so
choose something that interests you and about which you will be able to access information. In your essay, explain your
topic, what interests you about it, and include 6 proposed academic sources. Be specific in your sources. Simply
identifying “venue” (google scholar, journals, etc.) is not sufficient. Find 6 specific sources and identify them through a
Works Cited page.
Points: 55 (35 Summary; 20 Works Cited page)
March 20
Movie Screening/Film Analysis
Films evoke the texture and emotional content of social movements in ways books and articles are not always able to do.
You will view a film (movie theater, play, video, etc.) related to your social movement, and present a 3-5 minute
discussion on the film and its impact on you and the movement overall. This discussion will be recorded online through
Canvas.
Points: 50
April 15
Annotated Works Cited Page due
Your final Works Cited page, with at least 6 credible references, will be submitted.
Points: 40
April 29
Research Project – Rough Draft due
The rough draft will be turned in both online and in class. This rough draft should be a completed working copy of your
research paper (MLA formatted, 10 pages, Works Cited page). You will receive a 5 point per day deduction for late
papers. The introduction of the rough draft will be peer edited in class.
Be prepared for your peer editing with a hard copy of your research paper. Absence or arriving unprepared will result in
the loss of 10 points on your final draft.
Points: 75
May 15
Research Project – Final Draft
The edited final draft of your research paper is due in class and online. With the in-class final draft, you will staple your
rough draft with original comments (peer or instructor).
Points: 75
May 13 and May 15
Final Presentation
English 1A
Prof: J. Stokes Cobb
You will present your research on your chosen social reform/movement to the class in a 5 minute presentation and
PowerPoint slide presentation. You will be assigned a date for your presentation. If you miss your date, you will
receive 0 points for the presentation.
Points: 108