Policy Analysis essay

Social Justice and Family Policy- Spring 2021

Guidelines

Policy Analysis

Instructor: Ashley Jackson-Patterson

Instructions for the Critical Policy Analysis Essay

Utilizing a minimum of 5 outside scholarly sources and the textbook students are to write critical essays (5-7 pages not including title and reference pages) documenting an essential issue with regard to the course’s influence on a policy. Students may also include official and organizational research reports as part of their allotted references too[footnoteRef:1]. These essays are positional in nature (you’re arguing a stance using scholarly evidence) and will be written in an academic and scholarly tone. Arguments must be clear, logical, and supported by facts (which will come from one’s research). APA citation and reference lists are required. These essays should be well proof-read prior to submission. [1: . These are the sources that will give one the statistics he/she would need to describe the scope of the problem/issue which will be covered in the essay. It is important that the essay has some stats in it to substantiate all arguments. For instance, for crime stats see the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, or the FBI UCR report (each has websites). For stats on people, businesses, the economy, or geography see the Census Bureau website. Other helpful sources (which can be found online) would be the Urban Institute, the Sentencing Project, the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, and the Pew Research Center (this source will have public opinion poll data). Feel free to seek a librarian for further help or see me during office hours. ]

Font: Size 12, Times New Roman or Calibri. The essay should be double-spaced and numbered. Below are instructions regarding the format:

1. The assignment requires a traditional APA title page. Students may assign the essay its own title, be creative. Again, the title page and references are not counted in the page requirement.

2. The structure of the paper should be sectioned like such:

a. Introduction (Should be no more than a long paragraph)

i. What policy will you be discussing and why it is important.

ii. Establish a clear but brief outline of your policy of choice and the issues you plan to uncover

b. The Policy

i. Provide a clear explanation/ background of your chosen policy

ii. The social problem that led to the policy/history of the policy

iii. Target Group

iv. Resulting law and/or social welfare program resulting from the adoptions of the policy

v. Intended and unintended consequences of the policy/ program

vi. Effects on families or even individuals

c. Corresponding Issue #1

d. Corresponding Issue #2

e. Suggested Policy Change

i. Include any successes of policy/program

f. Conclusion

i. After you have wrapped up the major areas of your essay you will write your conclusion (in a paragraph) simply providing a concluding commentary on the issue, perhaps giving your last word on the depth of the issue as it stands now, and what the future could look like if your advice is taken seriously.

g. References

i. To be done in APA format

NOTE: Pages after the introduction should be well structured by sections/headings which will correspond to remaining four points mentioned after the introduction. For example, for a policy one may choose sentencing, and then his/her two issues may be mass incarceration and reentry (you’d use those titles as the headings for your sections in the essay, or you can be more creative and call them something else, but the sections need to be distinct from each other). The information contained in each respective section will include a combination of your scholarly sources, the textbook and your understanding of your chosen policy. This part of the essay will become more refined as one continues to engage in research. Remember, all points/arguments explained in these pages must be cited and backed by evidence. Your writing should be both informative and persuasive, which means you should be explaining to your reader the root of the issue while also persuading the reader of your argument (and while doing both of these you will be citing/providing evidence).

Key suggestions:

· Overall, to be ahead of the curve, the window to get the initial stages of research and analysis completed would be from week 1-9, as the concept paper is due shortly after. The concept paper will require you to submit a semi-draft of what the beginning stages of your essay will look like; therefore, you’ll want to have completed the bulk of research by this time.

· It is important to pace oneself and have a set schedule for completing the critical essay. This assignment will be heavily scrutinized, as this is your capstone course for the Justice and Families minor. Therefore, this is not the kind of assignment that one starts at last minute. Take heed to the advice in this document, utilize library resources heavily, and office hours if you should have questions.

· Familiarize oneself with the writing rubric located in files on Canvas.

Please consult the required reference manual for this course for formatting and citation of sources. Plagiarized papers will receive and automatic grade of “0” and students who plagiarize will be reported to the Department of Justice Studies or the Dean of Students. Please check all work for accuracy in spelling and grammar. (30 points)

See syllabus for due dates!

No late papers will be accepted!!!

Must submit paper via Canvas!!!

For help with the mechanics of writing, following instructions, getting organized please make an appointment with:

Center for Writing Excellence

PHONE: (973) 655-7442

EMAIL: [email protected]

Hours and Location

Bohn Hall, 5th Floor

Regular fall and spring hours:

Mondays, 10am-8pm

Tuesdays, 10am-8pm

Wednesdays, 10am-8pm

Thursdays, 10am-8pm

Fridays, 10am-4pm

Saturdays, 11am-4pm

Sundays, 4pm-9pm