Ethnicity and Race

Thinking of completing a dissertation based on a specific race but are not sure how to narrow down your topic? Maybe these suggestions would be helpful:

Example ethnicity and race dissertation topic 1:

‘Strain theory’: A growing issue in Afro-Caribbean communities in London?

This dissertation uses Mertonian anomie theory in comparing young, male black communities in New York and London, and considers the extent to which this phenomenon has spread to the UK. The rise of a drug sub-culture – and those who profit from it – is a key component of this consideration. A further factor is the increase of small, independent music labels that offer a glimpse of a wealthier future to performers in hip/hop and rap. The study utilises statistical evidence to form conclusions, as well as interviews with community elders and young people.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Agnew, R. (1999) ‘A general strain theory of community differences in crime rates’, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, Vol. 36(2), pp. 123-155.
• Alexander, C.E. (1996) The art of being black. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Cochran, J.K. and Bjerregaard, B. (2012) ‘Structural anomie and crime:A cross-national test’, International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Vol. 56(2), pp. 203-217.
• Gunter, A. (2008) ‘Growing up bad: Black youth, `road’ culture and badness in an East London neighbourhood’, Crime Media Culture, Vol. 4(3), pp. 349-366.