Overview
Do a literature review paper about a specific topic related to gender and/or race differences in the economy. This paper must investigate the issue deeply and go far beyond our class discussion.
You may write in response to readings, lectures, class discussions, current events, or any other ideas you might have. Most students will choose to do the literature review option. If you choose this option, you need a clear research question and you will rely on published research to help answer this question. In a literature review you organize, evaluate, identify patterns, and synthesize the literature. Your job is to prioritize what to include and what not to include. You must organize the literature by big ideas and evaluate the research that you are reading. For the literature review option, you need to cite 6+ high quality sources and at least 3 should be from academic journals. Two important points:
- A LITERATURE REVIEW IS NOT AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY! Your paper should be organized by ideas and not one resource at a time.
- Minimum 1000 - 1500 word = approx. four to six pages double spaced 12 point font with 1” borders (no penalty for longer papers, I reduced the page length compared to previous semesters)
- Tables, charts, data, images, and citations are not part of the word count.
- You need 6+ resources, at least three of which should be research published in academic journals. See the end of this document for guidance about how to find sources.
- You can use any of the standard citation methods that you want (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) . I don’t have a preference about the method you use as long as you are consistent.
- Grade will be primarily about the content of your paper, organization, depth of analysis and the degree to which you utilize learning from this course in your paper.
- Even though you are using published research, follow the normal rules of citations to avoid plagiarizing. In general, you will want to summarize and cite rather than filling your paper with quotations. Read the handout and see me if you have any questions.
I’ve chosen the topic and here is my description of the topic: Research Question:
How do gender and race disparities influence labor force participation and wage gaps in the U.S. economy, particularly in the context of intersectionality (the overlap of multiple forms of discrimination)?
This topic is important because while gender and race have been individually studied in relation to labor markets, the combined impact of both is less frequently analyzed. Understanding these disparities will provide a more nuanced view of labor market inequality and help inform policies aimed at closing wage and employment gaps. I will conduct a literature review that synthesizes academic research on gender and race differences in labor force participation and wages. The review will be organized around key themes such as the wage gap, employment opportunities, and the barriers faced by racial and gender minorities in the workplace. I will prioritize studies that highlight intersectional discrimination, as this aspect is often underexplored in mainstream economic analyses.
Sources:
Blau, F. D., & Kahn, L. M. (2017). The Gender Wage Gap: Extent, Trends, and Explanations. Journal of Economic Literature, 55(3), 789-865. Pager, D., & Shepherd, H. (2008). The Sociology of Discrimination: Racial Discrimination in Employment, Housing, Credit, and Consumer Markets. Annual Review of Sociology, 34, 181-209.
Here is the textbook just in case: Blau, Francine, Marianne Ferber, and Anne Winkler. The Economics of Women, Men, and Work 8thedition. Oxford University Press, 2018