Final

SOC 326: Project Guidelines and Grading Guide

Overview The final project for this course is the creation of an 8- to 10-page double-spaced paper using Word format. The project involves analyzing an act that is currently deviant and developing a justification for its reclassification as a non-deviant act, using theories and concepts from the class. The final product represents an authentic demonstration competency, because it requires a synthesis of course material and allows students to activate their sociological imagination. The project is divided in to four milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, Five, and Seven.

Main Elements Select a behavior that is currently considered deviant by the wider society. A list of suggested topics follows the instructions. Part 1: Classification as Deviant Identify an act that is currently deviant and explain how or why it is deviant. This can be a criminal act such as illicit drug use or a noncriminal act such as extreme body modification. Describe the history of the behavior and the historical reactions to this act. What are the reactions or sanctions to this act that currently exist? What are the arguments in favor of the behavior remaining deviant? Part 2: Reclassification as Non-Deviant Provide arguments for why the deviant behavior should be reclassified as non-deviant. What are the arguments in favor of the behavior no longer being considered deviant? What are the manifest and latent functions (anticipated and unanticipated outcomes) that may occur socially or culturally? For this project, students are required to use the course text, as well as at least five outside sources such as books, journals, newspapers, magazines, official websites, and documentaries from reliable sources. Provide statistics and specific examples to support statements. Citations: When using a resource, be sure to cite using APA format. The following website provides a formatting and style guide that you may find helpful: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/. Even if you paraphrase, credit needs to be given to the author or the work. It is important to distinguish for the reader those words and ideas that are original and those that belong to another source. Failure to cite and duplication (the submission of the same or similar paper in more than one course) may result in a failing grade. Topic Ideas (Note, students are not limited to the following topics. These are merely suggestions.) Body modification Cage fighting Card counting

Cosplay Gypsy travelers Eating habits that are viewed as deviant Family bed or co-sleeping Furries Human cloning Illegal drugs Nudism Obesity Organ selling Performance enhancing drugs and techniques Physician assisted suicide Polygamy Promiscuity Prostitution Sex tourism Sex work (nude dancing, phone sex, pornography, etc.) Tanning (currently under fire, especially among teens) Tobacco Use Whaling

Format Milestone One: Proposal for Reclassification of Deviance Project

In 2-3: Final Project: Milestone One: Proposal for Reclassification of Deviance Project, you will submit a one-page proposal that identifies the topic of study, provides a working title, and contains a thesis statement.

The format should be a one-page, double-spaced paper, submitted in Module Two. Proposals will not be graded, but feedback will be provided.

Milestone Two: Annotated Bibliography

In 4-4 Final Project: Milestone Two: Annotated Bibliography, you will submit an annotated bibliography that includes a description and evaluation of relevant sources. Briefly describe in a paragraph for each source why and how the source may be used in the paper. Students are required to use the course text, as well as at least five outside sources such as books, journals, newspapers, magazines, official websites, and documentaries from reliable sources.

The format should be in APA and the work should be submitted in Module Four. The annotated bibliography will consist of 5% of the overall project grade.

Milestone Three: Rough Draft

In 5-2 Final Project: Milestone Three: Rough Draft, you will submit a rough draft of the final project. The format should be at least four pages, typed, double- spaced, and submitted in Module Five. Rough drafts will not be graded, but feedback will be provided. Submission of a rough draft is required in order for the final draft to be graded.

Milestone Four: Final Product

In 7-3 Final Project: Milestone Four: Final Product, you will submit a final draft. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the main elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This milestone will be graded using the Final Product Rubric.

Deliverable Milestones

Milestone Deliverables Module Due Grading

1 Proposal Two Not graded separately

2 Annotated Bibliography Four Graded separately; Annotated Bibliography Rubric

3 Rough Draft of Final Product Five Not graded separately; Submission of rough draft is required in order for final draft to be graded

4 Final Product Seven Graded separately; Final Product Rubric

Rubric

Requirements of submission: Written components of projects must follow these formatting guidelines when applicable: double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and discipline-appropriate citations. Projects should consist of 8-10 pages not including cover page and resources.

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Main Elements Includes almost all of the main elements and requirements and cites multiple examples to illustrate each element

Includes most of the main elements and requirements and cites many examples to illustrate each element

Includes some of the main elements and requirements

Does not include any of the main elements and requirements

25

Inquiry and Analysis

Explores multiple issues through extensive collection and in-depth analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions

Explores some issues through collection and in-depth analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions

Explores minimal issues through collection and analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions

Does not explore issues through collection and analysis of evidence and does not make informed conclusions

20

Integration and Application

All of the course concepts are correctly applied

Most of the course concepts are correctly applied

Some of the course concepts are correctly applied

Does not correctly apply any of the course concepts

10

Critical Thinking Demonstrates comprehensive exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion

Demonstrates moderate exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion

Demonstrates minimal exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion

Does not demonstrate exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion

20

Research Incorporates many scholarly resources effectively that reflect depth and breadth of research

Incorporates some scholarly resources effectively that reflect depth and breadth of research

Incorporates very few scholarly resources that reflect depth and breadth of research

Does not incorporate scholarly resources that reflect depth and breadth of research

15

Writing (Mechanics/Citations)

No errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations

Minor errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations

Some errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations

Major errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations

10

Total 100%