The course also has a strong research component. Students will carry out a research project using either existing survey data or their own observations gathered in a local setting to diagnose the tensions found there and to propose potential solutions to those tensions. When appropriate, students may try an intervention to see if it reduces tension and increases intergroup cooperation. In previous terms, students have conducted research in various sites near and on campus. Reports from these projects will be available to the present class so that students can build on the findings of previous work.
Students also form research teams to study tensions in the sites of their choice.
At the end of this part, students will submit a mid-term paper that reviews the readings and any other literature relevant to their research project and that outlines the project's goals, methods and expected results. We will also consider issues and questions that arise from student experiences in their research sites. Throughout the term, students will be asked to come prepared to discuss study questions based on the readings for the week. The final exam will be a paper written by each team that summarizes the findings of the research project and relates the findings to other material discussed in class. Recent NY Times articles on race in America.