SOCI-201 Social Problems
Professor Tim Dunn
Civic Engagement / Activism Exercise & Paper–4-5 pages [reduced from 5-6 in syllabus]:
DUE Dec.8,or if you’re doing an RDP on last topic (War and Terrorism) then due Dec. 10.
A. Find an organization that addresses the social problem (broadly speaking) in which you are interested. Get some information on its mission, goals, activities, etc.Write that up briefly(1 page). Do not just copy and paste from web sites, etc. Use your own wording! I will give some tips on where to look for information (on web & locally – e.g.: &
B1. Volunteer this semesterwith the organization from A. above or any other similar one. Maximum of 30 points available for this option. Volunteer at least5 hours, or if fewer that 5 hours do somelibrary research and find at least 2 academic sources (journal articles)& use that info. from them in your paper (use citations for articles used, like in RDPs). Provide time & date entry of your hours and brief 1-line description of activities, as well as the name, title, and phone number for someone from the organization who oversaw your volunteer work. You paper should consist of a 2-3 page detailed description of what you did and saw or heard (& if you volunteered less than 5 hours, relevant information from academic articles),and1-2 pagecritical reflectionon your work, info., and the organization as well (i.e., identify problems or short-comings and suggest other things that you or the organization could or should have done & why). Also, at some point briefly incorporate / use something(s) specific from class readings (& cite them) in your paper for a least 1-2 paragraphs – i.e., apply class readings to your discussion.
OR B2. Research & Outreach:Maximum of 25 points available for this option. If you cannot or don not care to volunteer, create something to promote awareness about a social problemissue ANDan organizationthat addresses it, (e.g., Power Pt presentation, a brief sample newsletter article or letter, a poster or art work, a web site). Then show it to at least 5 peopleand get their feedback. Also do additionallibrary research and get 4 academic articleson your topic and use that information in your paper (use citations for articles, like in RDPs). Write up abrief description (3 pages)of what you did,your thought process behind it, people’s specific reaction to what you showed them, and also any relevant information from the articles, Also, write 1-2 pagecritical reflectionon what you didand people told you, thearticle info., and on the organization. Also, at some point briefly incorporate / use specificinfo. or ideas from 2 class readings (& cite them) in your paper for a least 2-3 paragraphs– i.e., apply class readings to your discussion.
Note: You must turn in a hard copy of your creation – not just a web link. Note: if doing Power Point, do not just copy and paste from other sources or power points; create some original text /material, also, must have minimum of 8 slides.
C. Works Cited / Bibliography page: List any class assigned reading(s) and any other articles you may be using if doing less than 5 hours volunteering or if doing hypothetical involvement option.
Format:
List articles in alphabetical order, by author last name
Author Last Name, First Name. Year [or full date if given]. "Article Title." Journal Name / Book Name, Volume #, Number [issue] #,pg #'s of article.
Where to Find Academic Articles on a topic:
Here is link to SU Lib. web site article data base [
Click on Sociology subject and then try JSTOR & Academic Search Premier. They are best sources for full text articles. Also, see SU Reference Librarians for help. They can set you up in 15 minutes or so, at most. It should not take you much more than an hour to find 4 decent articles on a given topic, if that.