You must complete a research project on any social problem discussed in your textbook. (Ex: poverty, drug abuse, gentrification, racism, gender inequality, mass incarceration, immigration, child abuse. foster care, single parent households, homelessness, climate crisis (change) discrimination against LGBTQ+ )
You can choose from the following:
- Research paper (2-3 pages, typed, double spaced, bibliography)
- Google Slides or PowerPoint Presentation (6-8 slides)
- Interview (10-15 minutes) via Zoom: Interview someone from a local social justice organization who is working to address one of the social problems covered in the textbook this semester. Be sure to include the following: Name/title, length of time at the organization, educational background, mission/purpose of the organization, impact the organization is having on the local level, future goals for the organization (and any other questions you may think of).
- Podcast (10-15 minutes): Your podcast should discuss a social problem covered in the textbook. Here is a website with examples of sociological podcasts:
Your research paper or slide presentation should include the following:
- Definition of the social problem: objective and subjective, life history of the problem, system-blame vs. person blame.
- Relevance of sociological imagination in understanding the social problem.
- Scope of the social problem (demographics, geography, effects of the social problem, factors contributing to the problem).
- Compare & contrast 2 sociological theories to explain this social problem; make every effort to connect content from the academic journal articles to these 2 sociological theories.
- Compare & contrast 2 solutions, including pros and cons, in the U.S. and/or other societies to this problem.
Research Paper
CriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Definition of the social problem: objective/subjective nature, life history of the problem, system blame vs. person blame.
10 to >7.0 pts
Excellent
Student fulfilled all requirements of this assessment with total accuracy.
7 to >4.0 pts
Good
Student fulfilled most requirements of this assessment with accuracy.
4 to >0.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Student fulfilled some requirements of this assessment with accuracy, but more time and effort is required.
0 pts
Missing
Student did not meet the minimum requirements of this assessment.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Relevance of the sociological imagination in understanding the social problem.
5 to >3.0 pts
Excellent
Student fulfilled all requirements of this assessment with total accuracy.
3 to >0.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Student fulfilled some requirements of this assessment with accuracy, but more time and effort is required.
0 pts
Missing
Student did not meet the minimum requirements of this assessment.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Scope of the social problem (demographics, geography, effects of the social problem, factors contributing to the problem).
10 to >7.0 pts
Excellent
Student fulfilled all requirements of this assessment with total accuracy.
7 to >4.0 pts
Good
Student fulfilled most requirements of this assessment with accuracy.
4 to >0.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Student fulfilled some requirements of this assessment with accuracy, but more time and effort is required.
0 pts
Missing
Student did not meet the minimum requirements of this assessment.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
4 major sociological research findings on this topic
4 to >3.0 pts
Excellent
Four major sociological research findings on this topic are included.
3 to >2.0 pts
Good
Three major sociological research findings on this topic are included.
2 to >0.0 pts
Needs Improvement
One to two major sociological research findings on this topic are included.
0 pts
Missing
No major sociological research findings on this topic are included.
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Compare and Contrast 2 sociological theories to explain this social problem; connect to content from academic journal articles.
5 to >3.0 pts
Good
Student fulfilled all requirements of this assessment with total accuracy.
3 to >0.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Student fulfilled some requirements of this assessment with accuracy, but more time and effort is required.
0 pts
Missing
Student did not meet the minimum requirements of this assessment.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Compare and contrast 2 solutions, including pros and cons.
5 to >3.0 pts
Good
Student fulfilled all requirements of this assessment with total accuracy.
3 to >0.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Student fulfilled some requirements of this assessment with accuracy, but more time and effort is required.
0 pts
Missing
Student did not meet the minimum requirements of this assessment.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Length/Grammar/Submitted on time
6 to >3.0 pts
Good
Student fulfilled all requirements of this assessment with total accuracy.
3 to >0.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Student fulfilled some requirements of this assessment with accuracy, but more time and effort is required.
0 pts
Missing
Student did not meet the minimum requirements of this assessment.
6 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Bibliography/2 Academic Journal Articles
5 to >3.0 pts
Good
Student fulfilled all requirements of this assessment with total accuracy.
3 to >0.0 pts
Good
Student fulfilled some requirements of this assessment with accuracy, but more time and effort is required.
0 pts
Missing
Student did not meet the minimum requirements of this assessment.
5 pts
Total Points: 50
https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_social-problems-continuity-and-change/index.html