Social Problems Paper:           Due by October 15th             APA style

Please submit your paper between the dates October 11th thru the 15th. I will NOT be able to read your paper before October 15th.   You will need to upload a file.  I will also be using plagiarism tools so don’t do it.  You will earn a zero and you will be reported.

Paper length: 4-6 pages, double spaced, one-inch margins; 12 pt font.  Be sure to include an abstract and works cited page. 

Citation: When citing sources, use APA style.  Please contact the LARC for assistance.

Sources: Minimum of three; use variety of sources. Use the LARC for assistance, if needed

Writing Center: Please use our Writing Center for assistance, if needed. They are available online. College-level writing is expected. I will understand a few errors here and there but I will not accept work that is not scholarly.

Choose any topic from the following chapters in your text that you think is a social problem:  Aging and Inequality,  Crime. Violence and Criminal Justice, Social Media, Economy and Politics, Work/Workplace, Family, Education, and Urban Life.  Make sure your topic is specific. For example, students dropping out of school is too broad, but if you focus on a particular demographic group dropout rate, that is fine.  Ideally, you should submit your topic to me by week four, but if you are confident in your topic, you do not need to do this.  Do NOT contact me at the last minute.  If I do not hear from you by the end of week four, I am going to assume you know what you are doing.

STEPS:  Make sure you follow all of the steps and refer to the rubric.

Describe the social problem and explain different perspectives of said problem. I am not interested in your opinion regarding the social problem. You must be fair and objective in stating what the social problem is AND include how liberals and conservatives view the problem. Do not use defamatory language, judge, or editorialize in any way.  It might help if you visit various think tank websites for assistance. The following link provides information about 50 Think Tanks.

https://thebestschools.org/features/most-influential-think-tanks/

 (Links to an external site.)

Research the social problem and write about the results.  Remember to think like an objective researcher: you are searching for the truth. You will remember that research is not perfect. You will look at statistics but you will also question them. Review your text regarding statistics, if needed.

Explain the findings.   Explain any flaws with the methods used by the researcher and include what questions or concerns you may have about the findings.

Discuss: The following are just suggestions regarding what may be a part of your discussion section: What did you learn and what questions do you have? What resources, if any, are available to those who are affected by the problem? What kinds of social movements or advocacy groups have mobilized to address the problem? What solutions do you favor and why? What are some flaws regarding your solutions? (perceived or otherwise) Why are those solutions not being implemented now? Do NOT editorialize by saying something like “there are no solutions because people are selfish and greedy.” Just state the information.

Action Plan: Now that you have learned more about a social problem, what, if anything, are you going to do about it? Will you use social media to bring awareness about the problem? Will you donate your time or money? Will you talk to others about this? Will you do nothing?   I will not judge your action plan.  Just state what, if anything, you plan on doing.

Please contact me if you have questions.  Have fun

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