Course Project topic proposal

1) You have been asked to look into
a company’s promotion policy. Maria, an African-American woman, has filed a complaint
that she was unfairly eliminated for consideration for a promotion. She holds a
graduate degree, has been with the company for 10 years and in her current
position for 7. Alex, the person who received the promotion, is an Anglo, also
has a graduate degree, but has less time either with the company or in the
position. He is, however, considered to be an “up and comer” and has
better job evaluations than Maria. Maria points out that she is the only person
of color and the only woman in the department. She claims that her lower
evaluations reflect a built-in bias on the part of her White male supervisors..
She alleges that the company is engaging in discriminatory practices.

The company argues that Maria is a
good employee but is often loud and aggressive in her approach to co-workers
and supervisors, and has had some problems with attendance and tardiness. She
has been counseled twice by her supervisor for tardiness, and once for absence.
Both times she cited family problems as reasons.

Are there indications of structural
or individual discrimination involved or prejudicial attitudes? Is there any
indication that Maria was unfairly treated?  Regardless of your findings,
come up with a plan to avoid this sort of thing from happening again.

2) Islam is a highly controversial
and sensitive issue in today’s world, and there are many misconceptions about
its beliefs, values, and goals. For example, many Americans believe that most
Muslims live in the Middle East, while in reality Indonesia has many more
people of the Islamic faith. What this means is that Islam, like Judaism and
Christianity, is practiced in many different cultures, and it both shapes and
is shaped by those cultures.

For this assignment, spend a minimal
amount of time writing about the religion itself.  From there, examine
what happens in the workplace (such as discrimination), OR consider how you may
need to accommodate Muslim patients in a hospital.  Either of those
two approaches will help you stay on track with your research.
 

3) Same-sex marriage is a relevant
and recent topic, and one that is now becoming a workplace issue as well as a
religious and a legal issue.  What are the current laws regarding same-sex
marriage?  Moreover, what are the legal benefits of marriage that
cohabiting or domestic partnership arrangements do not offer?  How are
these benefits (or lack of benefits) present in today’s workplace? 

For example, what are some issues
related to health insurance, mortgage and retirement plans, that differ for
marriage versus cohabitation?  How have the laws related to these issues
changed in recent years, making the legality of marriage desirable for same-sex
couples? 

4) Lateral Violence is a
relevant topic in nursing today.  What is lateral violence, and what are
the cultural implications of this phenomenon?  To investigate this topic,
you will need to first show that nursing is a culture unto its own.  What
are material and non-material aspects of nursing culture?  Are there
subcultures?  Which nursing populations(s) would represent a dominant
group, and who are the minorities?

What are some proposed solutions to
lateral violence?  Are these proposals feasible?