essay

Weekly Assignment #1 (covers readings from Weeks 1 and 2)

If this is one of the papers you choose to write, it is due before the beginning of class on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Please turn in your paper through its Canvas portal found in the Week 2 Module by 10:30 AM.

Read materials from Weeks 1 and 2 (on syllabus and posted on the course website): Cherlin’s Chapters 1 and 2, and the Canvas online readings from: Week 1: (Cherlin; Cowan; Burton); and Week 2: (Coontz; Mintz) before beginning this assignment.

Write a very short (generally 1 ½ to 2 ½ double spaced page, typed, in normal size font; generally no more than 2 ½ pages, although we don’t deduct any points if it is longer than 2 pages) a paper that integrates both Chapter 1 and 2 from the Cherlin book AND at least 1 of the other readings from week 1 (Cherlin, or Cowan, or Burton) AND at least 1 of the other required readings from week 2 (Coontz or Mintz) to address the prompt given below. (That is, you include and give citations for 2 textbook chapters and 2 article readings). “Integration” means that you will assemble and combine knowledge gained from across the readings. Do not write them up as separate disjointed ideas (don’t write one paragraph on each reading). Figure out how they can be interwoven to inform each other. Include a thesis statement in your first paragraph that is the central point that guides the entire paper. For this weekly paper, choose one of the thesis statements listed on the next page to include in the first paragraph of our paper. Be sure the paper sticks to, and supports, your thesis statement.

Background Information: Politicians, celebrities, authors and everyday people often repeat inaccurate information about families as if they are real facts. They use inaccurate information about families from previous points in history to compare to families today in order to show how families are worse today, or how past events or circumstances caused a specific family situation that followed (such as divorce, single parenting, child treatment, family violence, etc.). This results in inaccurate interpretations of behaviors and family situations.

WRITING PROMPT: Use information from 4 sources: Cherlin’s chapters 1 and 2 together with other readings (at least 1 reading from week 1 and at least 1 reading from week 2) to discuss the misrepresentation/misinterpretation of facts about family history and its relationship to the misrepresentation/misinterpretation of at least 1 family situation or research method today. Within your paper, you need to illustrate two things:

1) that you have read the materials - This can be illustrated through integrating a brief description within the essay of what you read that related to the subject of your paper at the points where you discuss these ideas in the paper (for each of the sources you use). Be sure to use the author’s last name and page number to identify concepts or material that came from your readings – do not represent those facts as if they are your own. You will need to cite that author and relevant page each time you draw from that reading. Because you are pulling together at least 4 sources you will need to have a minimum of 4 in-text citations (1 for each idea from a reading) that include the author’s last name and page where the information you are using was found. If you use more than one idea from a reading you would need a citation for each of those ideas. You do not need to include a bibliography or reference page at the end of your paper; and

2) that you have thought about the material -- This is demonstrated by pulling together information from the sources in a manner to support the thesis or position you take in the paper. It cannot be done by reporting disjointed materials from multiple sources or simply repeating back information from the readings. Look for common themes, examples from 1 reading that supports information from other readings.

Choose 1 of the following thesis statements to guide your paper. Include the statement as a part of your first paragraph and keep the paper focused on this thesis statement.

1. The misrepresentation of facts about the “normal” two-parent family structure in the past is used to justify the inaccurate argument that diverse families today, which do not fit a two-parent model, are abnormal.

2. The misrepresentation of the legal benefits of marriage in the United States has been used to both advocate for and against marriage equality in the United States.

3. Misinterpreting the relationship between marriage and positive family outcomes as a causal relationship ignores other important factors, like ___________, which better illustrate the reality of people’s lives. (NOTE: Fill in the blank with the issue you want to focus on, such as domestic violence, or insufficient income)

4. Family forms that do not contain two parents are often blamed for children’s problems; however, blaming the structure as if it is the cause of the problems is inaccurate and misses the underlying problems related to income and parents’ limited resources.

5. It is a misrepresentation to say that the role of what Cherlin calls the “public family” has been eliminated by the private family; the public family has been present throughout American history, and continues today, with some public responsibilities remaining consistent across time and other responsibilities changing.

6. It is a misrepresentation to say that American family structures did not change in the past; throughout history family forms have been in flux in response to changing societal circumstances.

7. By focusing only on one aspect of families, or on only one family issue like marriage or parenting, politicians often misrepresent the reality of people’s experiences as members of both the private and public family.

2 Examples of in-text citations are given below: In order to avoid plagiarism, you need to cite any idea, concept, or fact that is not your original thought. For purposes of this class, please include the page number to assist us in identifying the information to which you are referring. Usually we don’t need you to include the year in your citation, but since there are 2 sources from Cherlin this week please also include date of book (2021) or reading (2015) to clarify which one you are referring to. Examples of in-text citations:

1. Cherlin (2021, p. 18) indicated that there are four ways that people misrepresent facts. The two most likely to explain inaccurate statements about working mothers are….. The first is related to the need to view working mothers in a manner that is consistent with one’s religious beliefs. For example, this need for consistency can explain why …….. That is, the holder of the beliefs wants to maintain …… rather than consider that there may be factors other than moral decay that explain …. such as …..

2. There are four types of misrepresentations of facts related to families (Cherlin, 2015, p. 19). The two most likely to explain inaccurate statements about working mothers are….. The first is related to the need to view working mothers in a manner that is consistent with one’s religious beliefs. For example, this need for consistency can explain why …….. That is, the holder of the belief wants to maintain …… rather than consider that there may be factors other than moral decay that explain …. such as …..

RUBRIC FOR GRADING WEEKLY WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 1: Weekly Paper Assignment #1 (Requires integration and citations from: Cherlin book Chapters 1 and 2; at least 1 other article from week 1 and at least 1 other article from week 2)

Criteria from assignment and (maximum points possible in parentheses) YOUR SCORE

Thesis or topic of the paper is clear from the first paragraph and the ___________

paper is focused around supporting the thesis statement (pass/fail)

Provides clear and accurate description of material used from the assigned

readings that demonstrates the writer has read the assigned materials. (20) ___________

Covers at least 4 assigned readings (Cherlin ch 1 and ch 2 and 1 other

article from week 1 and 1 other article from week 2. (total of 4 sources) (20) ___________

Integrates material from across the readings in a coherent manner to illustrate and

support points rather than disjointed points from separate readings. Paragraphs are

formed around a principle or theme rather than separated by each reading (the paper

is not written as an annotated bibliography). (20) ___________

Paper demonstrates writer thought about readings, not just repeating information. (20) ___________

Literacy and grammar. Work is understandable, clearly written,

and logically structured. Citations are provided where they are warranted. (20) ___________

OVERALL SCORE (out of 100): ___________

Late paper? Then this is one of the ones you plan to “drop”. See syllabus for instructions regarding weekly written assignments; it requires that you submit at least 1 of the first 3 written assignments. Assign #1 due Feb. 2. Assign #2 due Feb. 9. Assign #3 due Feb. 16.

Graduate Students’ 680 papers are expected to meet the same criteria but to show greater depth of thought, sophistication of writing, and stronger integration of the 4 sources (examples of integration including finding shared issues, themes, values, or theoretical underpinnings).