Social Change – Solutions to American Social Problems
This semester we have focused on American Social Problems. In each section, we have learned that solutions have been proposed for a variety of social problems, some effective and others less so. In addition to policies, some individuals have organized and mobilized groups to create social change across the nation – they changed the culture. This assignment will focus on that social change.
The research has one major goal: to communicate how social change happens in society through the autonomy of individuals that are covered in the segment of our textbook in the Policy and Social Change Agent chapter.
You will describe the dialectic relationship between individual troubles and social problems. To do this, you will include the following information:
- Who is the person? And where did they come from? [Short Bio]
- What Social Problem are they interested in solving? Why?
- What did they do? What actions did they take? [Strategy]
- What was the outcome? [Did this affect policy and/or the US culture? How?]
- Conclusion paragraph should discuss how dialectics (covered throughout our textbook and modules) helps us understand the relationship between social structures that are harmful to some groups are challenged and changed.
You must choose ONE Social Change Agent from the Policy and Social Change Chapter in our textbook (you may not write about a different person).
You may not pick your own person to write about.
Paper requirements
Between 2 and 5 pages, double spaced, normal 12-pt font. Use research sources and not Wikipedia or an online single source. Apply the materials, theories and concepts from this class in your paper to make your arguments. This is a formal essay and needs to follow a standard paper format. Provide a reference section. I have handouts on papers, writing, references and plagiarism below.
You will be required to use TurnItIn, an app that checks for plagiarism.
Resources
The following links are to our LAVC Writing Center where they provide support services for you. There are many handouts, and a live person to chat with and help you become a better writer.
Social Change Agent
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDialecticsThe paper applies dialectic materialism to the social change agent's life and work. The social change agent is from the Social Change Agent segment of the Policy and Social Change chapter in the textbook. |
| 25 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBiographyThe paper includes a biography of the social change agent from the Social Change Agent segment of the Policy and Social Change chapter in the textbook. |
| 15 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSocial ProblemThe paper includes a discussion of the social problem central to the social change agent. It also includes what prompted their work to change it. |
| 15 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStrategyThe paper includes a discussion of the strategy used by the social change agent. |
| 15 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePolicyThe paper includes a discussion of the policies that were affected by the work of the the social change agent from the Social Change Agent segment of the Policy and Social Change chapter in the textbook. |
| 15 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganizationThe paper includes at least 5 paragraphs, an Introduction, 4 paragraphs for each question and a Conclusion. |
| 5 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCitationsThe paper includes a reference section using MLA, APA, or ASA format. |
| 5 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar, Syntax, Punctuation..The paper applies appropriate college-level grammar, syntax, and punctuation. |
| 5 pts | ||||
Total Points: 100 |