Assignment
summary
The population distribution of those who do
science does not match the population distribution of individuals in the United
States. Hypotheses have been put forth
as to why this might be, including the three put forth about women by Lawrence
Summers in 2005 that implied 1) lack of interest and commitment, 2) lack of
aptitude especially on the high end, 3) socialization patterns and
discrimination patterns. While Summers
made these hypotheses about women in science, they have been used to explain
why there aren’t more minorities in science as well.
Your job is to write a data-driven persuasive
essay in response to three hypotheses about why there aren’t more women and marginalized
scientists at the top of science. This essay should not be addressed to
or aimed at your instructor(s), but should stand on its own and be able to be
read and followed by anyone, regardless of whether they have read the course
material. Make these three hypotheses
clear and declare the role you feel each plays (consider this your thesis
statement). Then you should develop a
response to each of these hypotheses, providing at least 2 lines of cited
evidence to support your claims. An even
more robust essay addresses data or interpretations that both refute and support
your analysis, but that weigh in more in favor of your analysis. You should then wrap up your summary
statements on the claims and their order.
Finally, you should propose solutions for moving forward to both recruit
and retain women and other identity groups less represented in science.