determine what issue/policy you are most interested in learning more about.
Next, find a way to connect your topic to some aspect of urban inequality in America.
Your topic should, in some way, address race, ethnicity, and/or poverty in a U.S. city (or multiple cities).
• You must choose one or more of the following U.S. cities as the basis for your analysis (thatis, you will be interested in these cities as case studies or examples, to help support yourclaims and conclusions):o ANY Ohio city/citieso Chicago, Illinoiso Detroit, Michigano Buffalo, New Yorko New York Cityo Seattle, Washingtono Portland, Oregono Miami, Floridao Atlanta, Georgiao Washington, D.C.o Boston, Massachusettso New Orleans, Louisianao Houston, Texas
The purpose of the Urban Inequality Research Paper—the research paper assignment for this course—is to help you strengthen your academic writing skills.
Successful completion of this assignment requires competency in college-level research, writing, and reading comprehension.
The Urban Inequality Research Paper gives you an opportunity to strengthen these core skills while also (1) exploring an aspect of American urban life that interests you; and (2) thatb also relates to racial/ethnic and/or economic inequality.
General Outline of an Urban Inequality Research Paper
I. INTRODUCTION: In this opening section, you should define the urban policy issue you are
focusing on. Provide some basic background. Using clear and concise language, bring your reader’s
attention to the goal of your paper. What topic are you exploring? Why does this issue/area matter?
II. BODY/ANALYSIS (SUPPORT FOR THE FOCUS OF YOUR PAPER)
Historical Context: Provide a brief history of the issue you are investigating. Be sure to
describe the stakeholders involved. Also, consider any major milestones or turning points in
this urban policy area. While preparing this section, try to consider the following questions:
Who has been most affected by this urban situation? What factors have influenced it? Who has cared
most about it? Has there been any advocacy to affect changes in this area? If so, by whom?
Evidence: Here, you should include details on the issue, such as its scale. Your statements
and conclusions should build upon scholarly research and serious investigative reporting.
UST 302: Contemporary Urban Issues
Web/Remote – Summer 2024
Instructor: Nisha Mistry, J.D., MSc.,
Assistant Professor of Practice
Current Situation: What governmental actions are shaping the issue you have chosen
(i.e., public policies, laws, programs, funding decisions, etc.)? What, if any, evidence have
you found as to whether these are working? If they are not working, why not? What
external, non-governmental factors (such as corporate actions or nonprofit activities) are
affecting this issue/area? Where appropriate, cite recent data and relevant research findings.
Potential Alternatives: Are there any new/alternative policies or programs that are being
considered or developed in your chosen area? If so, what are they? Why might they be more
(or less) effective? If you have not found any proposed changes or alternatives, can you think
of a different approach that might improve outcomes in the policy area?
III. CONCLUSION: Here, provide a summary of your findings. Focus on the most important
points covered in your paper. Include a brief reflection on what lies ahead for the future, based on
your research and analysis.
IV. BIBLIOGRAPHY PAGE: You should use the American Psychological Association (APA)
style** for the sources (references) included on this page, as well as for in-text citations. (Note: Each
source listed in your Bibliography should be cited at least once in the body of your paper.)
**While APA writing style is strongly preferred, a student who wishes to use MLA guidelines
instead is permitted to do so. REQUIRED Assignment: DRAFT Urban Inequality Research Paper
Please use full sentences and paragraphs. Bullet points and fragments are unacceptable.
Include your name, date, and the course name in the heading of the document.
The body of your draft must be three to four (3-4) pages long (no less than 1,000 words)
Your draft paper should include a minimum of two (2) academic references.
1. Draft Paper (30 points)
Submit by Sunday, July 21 at 11:59pm.
Introduction: 5 points
Body of Paper/Analysis: 10 points
Conclusion: 5 points
In-Line Citation of Sources: Not required.
*Bibliography: 5 points
Spelling and grammatical errors:
-0.5 deduction per error
Incorrect source type (e.g., a non-academic
source): -2 points per incorrect source type
Lateness penalty: -1 point per day, up to
one week late.
*Number of Sources: At least two (2) academic
sources must be referenced in the draft paper.
FINAL Paper Requirements
Your final paper must be eight to ten (8-10) pages long (no less than 2,000 words).
This length is based on a document that is prepared in MS Word, typed, and double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Papers that do not meet the
As with the draft, graphs, tables, and/or images (which are optional) do not count toward your page count.
Any graphs, tables, and/or images should be added to the end of your paper, in an appendix.
As with the draft, your Bibliography Page does not count toward your total page count.2. Final Paper (60 points)
Title Page: 2 points
Page Numbers: 2 points
Subheadings (For Sections): 1 point
Introduction: 5 points
Body of Paper/Analysis: 35 points
Conclusion: 5 points
In-Line Citation of Sources: 5 points
*Bibliography: 5 points
Spelling and grammatical errors: -0.5 point
deduction per error
Incorrect source type (e.g., a non-academic
source): -2 points per incorrect source type
*Number of Sources: At least five (5) academic
sources must be referenced in the final paper.
