Race, Ethnicity, and Space in South Florida

Step 1: Choose a city or area within South Florida Urban Region (including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties) that you would like to analyze for this memo. This can be a particular city (i.e. Boca Raton, Plantation, Miami Beach, etc.) or one of the metropolitan regions around the three largest cities (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach). Note: Make sure to browse the Diversity and Disparities Project tool to make sure there is data for the city or metropolitan area that you want to study.

Step 2: Using the Diversity and Disparities Project data tool, examine and take notes on the basic demographic data for the city you are studying. How large is the population? What are the three (3) largest racial or ethnic groups in the city? What percentage of the population did each group represent in 2010? Has that changed since 1980? If so, how?

Step 3: Using the Diversity and Disparities Project data tool, examine and take notes on the current patterns of segregation (i.e. the 2010 data) between the two largest racial and ethnic groups. In particular, you need to focus on two kinds of data. The 2010 Isolation Index for each group, and the 2010 Dissimilarity Index between these two groups. This will give you three (3) data points that you will use to describe current patterns.

For example, if the two largest groups in the city are Hispanic and Black, you will need the following three pieces of data: a) the Hispanic Isolation Index; b) the Black Isolation Index; and c) the Black-Hispanic Dissimilarity Index.

Step 4: Use the Racial Dot Map tool, visualize current patterns of segregation in the city you have chosen. Take notes on how the largest ethnic and racial groups are distributed in the city. In which areas do members of each group tend to live? Are different neighborhoods clearly dominated by a single group, or are they inhabited by multiple groups? Are some of the areas of the city more integrated than others?

Step 5: Using the Diversity and Disparities Project data tool, examine and take notes on how segregation patterns between the two largest racial and ethnic groups changed between 1980 and 2010. In the memo you will need to establish what you see as the two (2) most important changes to segregation patterns over this time period (and you must support this with data). You will likely observe multiple changes in the data, and the choice of which to focus on is entirely up to you. You may use either the dissimilarity index, the isolation index, or both to support your description of the change.

Step 6: Once you have gathered all of this material, your last step is to think about why this city is segregated as it is. What ideas or concepts from Modules 4 and 5 will help you to explain the current patterns and historical trends you see in the data and on the map? It may be helpful at this stage to review your notes from readings, videos, and lectures, or re-read/re-watch any material you think will be useful. You are required to use and cite at least one (1) specific idea from the modules in your explanation.

Step 7: Draft your memo, which should have the following components.

a) an original title that hints at what you will present in the memo;

b) an introductory paragraph that states the city you have chosen to analyze, explains why you chose this city, and establishes a thesis statement (i.e. the overall argument about segregation patterns in the city);

c) one to two paragraphs in which you describe the demographic characteristics and current patterns of segregation in the city. (For this description, refer to your notes from steps 2-4 above.)

d) One paragraph in which you describe two important trends in segregation between 1980 and 2010, and support them with specific data. (see step 5, above)

e) One paragraph in which you draw on at least one idea from readings or lectures to explain the current patterns and/or recent trends in segregation in the city you have chosen. (see step 6, above)

f) A brief concluding paragraph that tells the reader what the main takeaway of your analysis is. What have we learned from your paper about segregation in this city?

g) A Reference page that includes full citations for any article(s), lecture(s), or video(s) that you used in your analysis. Since you are required to apply one idea from readings or lectures, there must be at least one source cited in this section. Make sure to use APA or Chicago Style. (Note: the reference page does not count toward the overall word limit).

Step 8: Proofread carefully before submission! You should check for three things: a) typos, incorrect punctuation, missing words, spelling and grammatical errors; b) correct reference format; and c) overall coherence of the memo – Do I have a clear argument? Does my writing make sense? Does the body of the memo match what I said I would show in the introduction?

Formatting Requirements (Follow carefully to avoid losing points):

1) Upload your final memo as a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or PDF file ONLY.

2) Include a header with your Name and Z number.

3) Word count: 800-1,200. This does not include header, title, or references.

4) Double-spaced

5) Times New Roman, Size 12 Font