SOCI 212 – Social Problems

SOCI 212 – Social Problems

American Public University System

Assignment Three: Final Paper (Due Week 8)

Overview

This final paper will be the culmination of what we have accomplished in our first and second writing assignments. Now that we have identified and clarified the nature of our chosen social problem, and examined two key organizations that address this social problem, we will now give a more in depth discussion about the scope of the social problem, a major theoretical idea that can be applied to the social problem, and our own analysis of how this social problem might be better solved. A crucial part of this paper will be in identifying one of the major theoretical perspectives we have covered this session. The three major ones include the functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interaction approaches. However, as our texts point out, there are other theoretical viewpoints we may also adopt if we choose. The key will be in thoroughly reading and understanding these theoretical viewpoints, and finding the most effective one for understanding our chosen social problem of study.

Instructions

Complete a 5-7 page final paper that analyzes the future impact of this social problem you have mentioned in the second writing assignment. In this assignment, you will cover:

The scope of this social problem over the last 30-50 years. (you will need to use historical data to articulate the scope of this problem) An analysis of one major theoretical perspective from our textbook that is useful in understanding this social problem. Finally, your own analysis of how you think addressing the social problem could be improved. In this analysis, please mention what you think should be done to solve this social problem. Your paper should utilize sound critical thought and it should provide appropriate APA in-text citations and APA full-reference citations. Use at least four concepts from our text (not used in our previous assignments) in your analysis. Don’t forget to include proper APA-style citation and reference.

The assignment should include a title page, abstract and/or table of contents, body of paper, and also works cited page. This assignment should follow the APA format. In addition to our text, you will significantly incorporate research from at least 5 meaningful up-to-date resources, two of which must be from reputable, peer-reviewed academic journals. Please check the Course Materials for more information on this homework assignment (worth 20% of total grade).

Due on by midnight the Sunday of Week 8 – submit using link in Sakai.

The paper should be typed, double-spaced, 1” margins, arial or times new roman 11 pt font, and saved as .doc, .rtf or .pdf in the format: lastname_SOCI212_HW3.doc

LATE POLICY:

Unless otherwise noted, all assignments are due by the end of each week – Sunday. If you anticipate that an assignment will be late, you must contact me immediately. Penalties will be assessed based on the reason for the late work, and the timeliness of notice. Late work will not be penalized if the reason falls under the following categories: documented long-lasting technical problems that are out of the student’s control, documented family emergencies, and documented extended illnesses.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes:

Homework Three will evaluate your ability to do the following:

Course Objectives:

Course Objective One

Identify specific social problems and their cause-effect patterns.

Course Objective Two

Identify current research methods that are utilized for the investigation of social problems.

Course Objective Three

Compare and contrast current and suggested policies, programs, and/or treatments in terms of their effectiveness for alleviating the negative consequences of social problems.

Course Objective Four

Apply class concepts to support opinions about social problems.

Course Objective Five

Illustrate how the sociological process enables us to identify various social concerns.

Course Objective Six

Explain the role of culture in identifying social issues as problems.

Course Objective Seven

Apply sociological theories to explain the occurrence and scope of these problems.

Learning Outcomes:

Grading Rubric:

CATEGORY

Outstanding

Above Average

Average

Below Average

Unacceptable

Description of  the social problems

Provided detailed description of the chosen social problem through the use of historical data (5 points)

Needed some elaboration on the description of the chosen social problem through more detailed use of historical data (4 pts)

Needs significantly more detail about the chosen social problem through the use of historical data (3pts)

Description of the social problem lacks detail overall. (2pts)

No description of the social problem included (0-1.5 pts)

Sociological Concepts Identified

Clearly identified 4 relevant sociological concepts from the readings. (5 pts)

Clearly identified 3 relevant sociological concepts from the readings, one not clearly identified. (4 pts)

Clearly identified 2 relevant sociological concepts from the readings. (3pts)

Clearly identified 1 relevant sociological concepts from the readings. (2 pts)

Did not clearly identify any sociological concepts (0-1.5 pts)

Sociological Concepts Defined

Clearly defined 4 relevant sociological concepts using the text and/or other source(s). (5 pts)

Clearly defined 3 relevant sociological concepts using the text and/or other source(s); 1 not clearly defined. (4 pts)

Clearly defined 2 relevant sociological concepts using the text and/or other source(s). (3 pts)

Clearly defined 1 relevant sociological concepts using the text and/or other source(s). (2 pts)

Did not include text definitions of sociological concepts (0-1.5 pts)

Analysis

Clearly applied a relevant sociological theory to analysis of the chosen social problem. (5 pts)

Applied a relevant sociological theory to analysis of the chosen social problem, but lacks minor detail. (4 pts)

Applied a relevant sociological theory to analysis of the chosen social problem, but lacks   significant detail. (3 pts)

The paper attempts to apply a relevant sociological theory to analysis of the chosen social problem, but connection between theory  and chosen social problem is not clear (3 pts)

Did not apply sociological theory to a chosen social problem. (0-1.5 pts)

APA Formatted Citations

Included APA formatted in-text citations and full references for ALL paraphrased and quoted work from other sources. (3 pts)

Minor errors in APA formatting of citations. (2.4 pts)

Multiple errors in APA formatting of citations. (2.1 pt)

Missing some citations, and errors in APA formatting. (1.8 pts)

No citations included. (0-1 pts)

Grammar & Spelling

Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. (2 pts)

Author makes a couple errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. (1.6 pts)

Author makes a few errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. (1.4 pt)

Author makes multiple errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. (1.2 pts)

Authors makes so many errors in grammar and spelling that the intent of the paper cannot be understood. (0-1 pts)