Purpose: The purpose of the final project is to allow you to creatively explore in a hands-on manner issues in gender and language use by planning a study, reading scholarly articles, collecting data, and analyzing and presenting your findings.
1. Research Project
The paper will include:
(i) Introduction: The main goal of this project. Start with a broad overview of the subject area and narrow down to your specific topic. State a hypothesis (it can be something that you will revise once you have all your data analysis).
(ii) Literature review: Summary of the main findings in the literature
NOTE: You will review 3 different SCHOLARLY articles in order to find out what research has been done on the topic already and what the main findings are. You will combine the main findings of your readings together for the presentation. You can use one of the chapters/articles from class and find two more in the Oviatt Library Database.
(iii) Methodology: How you collected data, what kind of data, sampling population, tools of analysis, etc.
(iv) Analysis: Results of data analysis and interpretations
(v) Conclusion/Implications: General reflections on the linguistic behaviors or dynamics reflecting gender or vice versa (or lack thereof).
Examples of Research Topics:
– Language used by and/or about women in the media (newspaper, radio, TV, movies, music)
– Gender differences in language use in the public sphere (Politics, Sports, etc.)
– Advertising and gender biased language
– Socialization through language
– Gay and/or lesbian language
– any other relevant topic (e.g. approved by instructor)