Start by identifying a general couple-related problem

• 1) Start by identifying a general couple-related problem in which you are interested, such as discrimination against same-sex couples, sexual assault and/or rape, couple violence, discrimination against interracial couples, being unsatisfied with the hook-up culture, difficulties carrying on a long distance relationship, infidelity, divorce, jealousy, infertility, miscommunication, invisibility of a bisexual identity within a mixed-gender couple, etc.
• 2) Next, focus on a specific aspect of the problem and state the problem more specifically.
  • Example 1: If the general problem you chose was discrimination against same-sex couples, your more focused topic and problem statement could be: (a) same-sex couples walking around (certain area) sometimes experience bigotry; or (b) some instructors in college do not adequately include information about same-sex couples or LGBTQ people in their courses.
  • Example 2: If you chose sexual assault and/or rape as your general topic/problem, your more focused topic and problem statement could be: (a) sexual assault and/or rape is a problem at colleges; (b) a “rape culture” exists on many college campuses; (c) many victims of sexual assault and rape on campus likely do not report the crime.
• 3) Do some background research on your general and more focused topics, by consulting and utilizing at least three scholarly sources (academic journal article, university press book). In addition, you may also want to gather supplementary information by, for example, doing an Internet search to see what resources are available online (if relevant to your topic), and/or informally interviewing someone with helpful information (e.g., student, professor, agency employee).
  • Example 1: If your focused topic is same-sex couples walking around (certain area) sometimes experience bigotry, then you will find and read two of the many academic journal articles related to the topic of same-sex/lesbian/gay couples experiencing discrimination. Then you might also want to ask some college students if they have ever seen or heard about same-sex couples being harassed uptown or anywhere else on campus. You might also want to interview University’s Assistant Director of the Office of Diversity Affairs on campus, to ask them about the challenges facing same-sex couples and LGBTQ students in general in colleges.
  • Example 2: If your focused topic is the existence of “rape culture” in Universities, then you will find and read two of the many academic journal articles related to the topic of sexual assault, rape, “rape culture,” and/or a “culture of consent” on college campuses. Then, you might also want to do some specific research, such as searching the website to learn more about sexual assault and rape, and/or interviewing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator to learn more about what university is doing to prevent sexual assault and rape and to support victims. You might also want to interview some students to find out what they think about occurrence of sexual assault and/or rape and why/if a culture of rape exists there.
• 4) Identify one or more causes of the specific problem that you will address.
  • Example 1: If you have chosen to focus on same-sex couples walking (certain area) sometimes experience bigotry, then you might conclude that one of the causes of the problem is that some college students have not had adequate exposure to LGBTQ people and issues and may also hold homophobic or heterosexist beliefs transmitted to them by their parents or friends that lead them to react negatively when they see same-sex couples.
  • Example 2: If your topic is the existence of rape culture in colleges, then you might identify as a cause of the problem the fact that many students – male and female – believe some common rape myths (e.g., if a female student dressed provocatively or had too much to drink, she is partly to blame if she is raped) that exist. You might also believe that another cause is that many students are not aware of some basic facts about sexual assault and rape.
• 5) Develop and carry out an original strategy aimed at resolving the problem by addressing one or more of the causes of the problem you have identified.
  • Example 1: Let’s say you chose same-sex couples walking around uptown in Oxford sometimes experience bigotry, and you think that a cause of the problem is that some Miami students have not had adequate exposure to same-sex couples and LGBTQ people in general, then you may decide that a way to combat the problem would be to have more faculty members (or high/middle/elementary school or preschool teachers) include LGBTQ people and issues in their courses/classrooms. You could compile a list of classroom resources (books, articles, videos, news stories, children’s books, activities, organization web sites, etc.) to be given to faculty/teachers – and then write a letter to those faculty/teachers explaining the importance of including LGBTQ people and issues in their curricula. *Be sure to cite your sources for your information and claims throughout the letter and resources list – this makes your letter (or whatever your final product is) more credible!*
  • Example 2: Let’s say you chose to focus on rape culture in college, and you think two causes of the problem are the fact that many students buy into some common rape myths and are not aware of some basic facts about sexual assault and rape. For your strategy then, you might create a flyer, brochure, song, skit, poster, or 30-second PSA (public service announcement) to be shared with students in classes, the health center, the Armstrong Student Center, and/or via Facebook or other social media. You would likely include messages that counteract rape myths and highlight facts about sexual assault/rape that students might not know. Alternatively, you might also describe what a “consent culture” rather than a rape culture might look and feel like. *Be sure to cite your sources for your information and claims in or on your final product – this makes your letter more credible! With a skit that might be harder, but you could create a little 3”x4” handout to give out to those watching.*

A 3- to 4-page, single-spaced summary of what you did and what you learned from this project. I want details! YOU SHOULD: (a) Clearly state the specific problem you chose to tackle, (b) how you went about researching the issue, (c) the causes of the problem that you have addressed, (d) your strategy for tackling the problem, and (e) who your target audience is. I want you to cite every source (every scholarly article, chapter, or book; every web site; every person you interviewed; etc.) that you used to create your final product – cite these throughout your summary paper.