Research Project

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:

1. Definition of the social problem: objective and subjective, life history of the problem, system-blame vs. person blame.
2. Relevance of sociological imagination in understanding the social problem.
3. Scope of the social problem (demographics, geography, effects of the social problem, factors contributing to the problem).
4. 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.
5. 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