sociology

FINAL PAPER

At the beginning of the semester in your Start of the Semester Assignment, you wrote about issues that you cared about in contemporary American society. This paper is intended to help you synthesize what you have learned in the class and learn more about a topic that you are interested in. Please enjoy the assignment and be creative!

DIRECTIONS

1. SIGN UP FOR YOUR TOPIC: Go to the Final Paper Topic Sign Up Wiki on the course menu (it appears below Tests and Quizzes), browse the list of acceptable paper topics, and sign up for your topic.

· You must sign up for your topic on the wiki before you start your paper.

· You must choose an issue that no one else has chosen. Everyone has to do something different.

· If you’d like to choose your own topic, please consult Dr. Gulbis by calling 419-345-5141

2. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW: Follow the writing instructions below once you have signed up for your topic and are ready to start researching and writing.

WRITING INSTRUCTIONS

To earn all 100 points, your paper MUST include:

1. Introduction Around ½ page: 5 pts

2. Research-based Discussion of the issue 3 pages: 30 pts

(this is the body of the paper and your main research, not opinion)

3. An objective summary* of a concept in your textbook as ½ to 1 page: 10 pts

related to your topic (provide the chapter and page numbers

you refer to)

4. An objective summary* of a peer-reviewed research article** ½ to 1 page: 10 pts

that is related to your topic

5. An objective summary* of at least two website links 1 page: 10 pts

about your topic

6. Why the issue is important and why At least 1 page: 10 pts

should we care—what are the implications for individuals?

7. Why the issue is important and why At least 1 page: 10 pts

should we care—what are the implications for society?

8. A works cited page in MLA, APA, or ASA format. 5 pts

9. Use subtitles to indicate each section of the paper (#’s 1-8 above). 5 pts

10. Use Times New Roman 12-point black font, double-spaced sentences. 5 pts

* An objective summary is a report of what I’m asking you to summarize, in your own words. I am NOT asking your opinion about the textbook passage, article, or websites. I am asking you to summarize the content as it relates to your topic.

**If you do not know what a peer-reviewed research article is, please visit the library on the 3rd floor of the Truax campus. They can help you find a peer-reviewed research article for this assignment.

LIST OF TOPICS

Please choose only ONE

If you’d like to choose your own, please consult Dr. Gulbis

A “Final Paper Topic Sign Up Wiki” has been created on Blackboard so you can sign up for your topic

Crime

Prisons

Gerrymandering

Feminism and Women’s Rights

LGBTQIA+ strengths/stresses/issues

Native American strengths/stresses/issues

African American strengths/stresses/issues

Latinx strengths/stresses/issues

Asian American strengths/stresses/issues

People with disabilities strengths/stresses/issues

Caregiving

Education

Human Trafficking

Poverty

Economic Inequality/CEO Salaries

Non-marital childbearing 

Environment

Climate change politics

Importance of science and facts/science denial

Politics today

Gender Identity Politics

Racial Profiling

Gun Control

Terrorism

Big Pharma

Gender Stereotypes

Information issues/”fake news”

Immigration

Privatization of public goods

Student loans

Divorce

Religious issues