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:
1. The scope of this social problem over the last 30-50 years. (note: you will need to use historical data to articulate the scope of this problem.)
2. An analysis of one major theoretical perspective from our textbook that is useful in understanding this social problem.
3. 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.
4. Use at least four concepts from our text (not used in our previous assignments) in your analysis.
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:
1. 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)
2. An analysis of one major theoretical perspective from our textbook that is useful in
understanding this social problem.
3. 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.
4. 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
SOC 212
Assignment 3
Final Paper
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:
SOC 212
Assignment 3
Final Paper
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)
SOC 212
Assignment 3
Final Paper
Grammar &
Spelling
SOC 212
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)
Assignment 3
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)
Final Paper
Authors makes
so many errors
in grammar and
spelling that the
intent of the
paper cannot be
understood. (01 pts)
