Social Problems Paper
20 points
For this paper, you need to select a social problem or issue that you personally have
experienced or someone VERY close to you has personally experienced. For example, such
problems or issues might include homelessness, sexual discrimination, drugs, being a
victim of a crime, immigration, bullying, divorce, etc.
1. The first part of your paper should be an introduction to the topic or issue that you
will be discussing. Here is an example:
*Eating disorders are a critical social issue in our society. I’ve chosen to talk
about this problem because a close friend of mine died recently and it has affected how
I feel about this disease. Throughout my paper, I am going to discuss how eating
disorders have impacted me, how I dealt with this problem, and ways to teach others
about this disease. Lastly, I’m going to examine how the ___________________ perspective
views this issue.
2. The main portions or the body of the paper should focus on explaining those main
points and on answering the questions I have asked you to elaborate on.
- Discuss how it has affected your life or someone very close to you.
-What have you done to overcome or deal with the problem/issue?
-What do you think is the best way to reduce, remove, or teach others about
this problem?
-Use ONE of the three perspectives, and tell me how that perspective would
view this problem or issue (you can choose either structural functionalism,
conflict theory, OR symbolic interactionism).
3. The last part of your paper should be the conclusion. This is the time to recap your
ideas, thoughts or ways of preventing/dealing with an issue. Go back and read your
paper and make sure any point you might have brought up has been resolved,
discussed, or critically questioned.
Format for your paper
-
Must be 2-3 pages minimum
Essay must start at 1 inch margins all around
Typed in 12 point font
Double-spaced
Social Issue Rubric- Feedback to students in SOC 1 (40 points)
NOTE: I expect entry-level college writing. Numerous grammar and sentence structure
errors will result in point deductions. PAPERS THAT HAVE BEEN PLAGIARIZED WILL
RECEIVE AN AUTOMATIC ZERO
Poor [0-1pts]
1. Introduction
(Minimum 1
paragraph)
[2.5 pts]
2. Overcoming or
Coping [5pts]
3. Reduce or
Teach Others
[5pts]
4. Explained how
ONE of the three
perspectives
views this
problem
[5 points]
5. Conclusion
[2.5 points]
Student did not
clearly identify
the social issue in
their
introduction of
essay
Student failed to
discuss how they
have overcome
the issue or
problem
Student failed to
describe how
they would teach
others about this
issue
Student failed to
discuss how one
of the three
perspectives
views their issue
Student did not
include a
conclusion
paragraph
Fair [Half Points]
Student did identify
the social issue in
their introduction of
essay but did not
give background
information to
explain it
Good [Full Points]
Student clearly identified
the social problem in
their introduction of
essay and gave some
background information
to explain it well
Student discussed
how they dealt with
issue today, but
needed more depth
Student discussed how
they dealt with issue
today or have overcome it
with some depth
Student described 1
or 2 ways to teach
others about this
issue or reduce this
problem
Student identified at least
3 solutions to reduce or
teach others about this
problem/issue
Student discussed
one of the three
perspectives, but
had some incorrect
analyses
Student discussed one of
the three perspectives
and had an accurate
analysis
Student had a
conclusion, but it
was unorganized
and did not reflect
on their social
problem well
Student had a conclusion
paragraph that
thoughtfully recapped
their social problem