Residential Segregation and Inequality

Residential Segregation and Inequality
Project description
For this paper assignment you are to explore residential segregation and inequality through observation. You are to choose two neighborhoods in Philadelphia with distinctly different demographics and economic standing. Then, you are to conduct observations in those neighborhoods:
This Doing Sociology assignment has two parts:
I. Part One: Choose two neighborhoods with distinctly different demographics and/or economic standing. You should research the demographics of the neighborhoods you choose using the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Fact Finder at http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml. You should research your neighborhoods by zip code to get neighborhood-level data. Then, conduct observations of both of your neighborhoods and take detailed notes on what you find. You may want to focus on one area or social institution that can be found in both sites and explore the similarities and differences between them. For example, you could choose an elementary school from each site and describe the similarities and differences in what you observed about the schools. Some questions or ideas to consider:
Are there parks? Playgrounds? What do these look like? Are there grocery stores? What do these look like? Are there bars/restaurants? What do the schools look like? Are there billboards and what are they advertising? Are there abandoned lots? Is there garbage/graffiti? Is there green grass/flowers?
II. Part Two: Write-up your results. You will give a detailed description of your findings. First, be sure to describe the demographics of your neighborhoods from the Census Bureau data. Then, you may want to describe each neighborhood separately, paying particular attention to describing the same aspects of each neighborhood. For example, if you discuss the playground in one neighborhood, be sure to discuss the playground in the other, so that the reader can see the similarities or differences between them. In this section, be sure to be as descriptive as possible. Finally, discuss what your findings suggest in relation to residential segregation. Based on your findings, do you believe residential segregation creates inequalities? From your findings, what impact does residential segregation have on access to resources and opportunities?