The power of the photographic essay is in its visual representation, but equally

The power of the photographic essay is in its visual representation, but equally important is the sociological analysis provided to help the observer understand how these photographs relate to the larger social world. Thus, both visual and textual cues help us to understand and appreciate how private experiences (depicted in the photos) are related to broader cultural and social forces.
Guidelines:
7% of your grade is based on this visual essay. This paper asks you to choose a topic that relates to social inequality, and write a short sociological analysis of it, while bringing in visual images (should be a mix of 3-5 photographs you take, and images found on the internet) to highlight the issue.
You can choose any topic you’d like, as long as it is an issue related to social inequality. Here is a list of potential topics to help get you started—you do not have to choose a topic from this list, but these are just some ideas to help you get started.
Hate crimes against any marginalized group
Transphobia or homophobia
Misrepresentation of any group in the media
Wage gap, or any other form of workplace discrimination
The Criminal Justice System & Crime: Crime rates, race and ethnicity in the criminal justice system, gender and the criminal justice system, problems in the criminal justice system, etc.
Gender: Gender inequality in work, media, family life, religion, etc.
Racial discrimination in the workplace (or education, or any institution)
Healthcare: Unequal health access/outcomes
After choosing your topic, you should write 3-5 pages of text about your topic. Do some light research, using your book, and at least 2 peer reviewed articles. See course resources or a librarian for help finding a peer reviewed article if you do not know how to do so. Make sure to cite your source(s), and format your paper in MLA or APA style.
Once you’ve written your text, bring in 3-5 images into your paper that you think illustrates the relevance of it. Your images should bring your topic to life, and illustrate some of the key points you discussed in your paper. You should defend the images, and cite them properly in your properly.
You will be graded on the following rubric:
Objective
Points Possible
Abstract
Student provides a revised short abstract at the beginning of the paper/ presentation. The abstract is concise and clear in summary of key points and thesis statement of the project.
2
Central Thesis:
The project has a clear thesis statement which is sociologically relevant. The vision of the thesis contributes to the sociological literature, and draws from a sociological perspective.
3
Development:
· Thesis is well developed and supported with empirical evidence, including statistical data, findings from peer-reviewed literature, and is driven by sociological theory.
· The evidence is logical in its support of the key thesis.
· Student engages academic sources in research of the issue
15
Images/Creativity:
· Images that are used are appropriate and support the thesis well.
· Student balances photographs, charts, and other forms of images/graphics in paper to support idea
· Images are adequately described and explained in paper as they relate to the thesis.
10
Technicalities:
· 3-5 page limit is met.
· Text is well written with few grammatical/spelling errors. Words are used correctly in context, and ideas are well supported.
· Text is well organized, each paragraph contains a well-supported idea, and paragraphs transition from one to another with transitional sentences.
· Images are incorporated into the paper or presentation in a logical fashion.
· Student uses at least two academic sources in addition to the course textbook.
· All sources are properly cited, and student uses MLA or APA formatting in paper.