two community and service hmw

Pay It Forward Assignment

Much has been written in recent years about the use of feature films in teaching social and ecological systems. Most of those who recommend using feature films to teach the various systems justify this technique as a form of experiential learning. These films help to bridge the gap between the abstract concepts of sociologists and the concrete realities of the social world. This film contains a vast repertoire of other people’s experiences and perspectives; consequently, a number of interpretive sociologists specifically argue that films of this nature promote verstehen, enabling students to participate vicariously in diverse interactions and situations.

In connection with this movie, it is useful to use a social systems framework for understanding our community. When we do this we view a community as a social system composed of a number of subsystems (for example, neighborhoods or businesses or agencies existing in the same physical space and that are all linked together by some common goals). We can also look at a community as a subsystem of the state in which it is located. In addition, human beings are individual (not social) systems in their own right, but are also subsystems of their communities. We know from our experience that a community can further the growth and development of an individual or family, or it can limit or even destroy that subsystem’s progress. As “make a difference persons” we continually shift back and forth between attention to individuals, subsystems, and to the larger system (community or state, etc) of which they are a part. This ability to look at multi levels sequentially and/or simultaneously is a hallmark of community change efforts.

Now a brief look at “Change Agents”. The make a difference person (change agent) is the person who undertakes to change the situation (for example, Trevor). By the way, I really don’t like the title “change agent” it appears too formal and stiff for me. I want something more warm and fuzzy—like “the make a difference” person. So the make a difference person may also be the person who identifies a problem or seeks a change opportunity. A client system (such as an individual, family, group, organization, or community that subsystem experiencing a problem or a struggle that is recognized by the make a difference person) may bring the situation to the attention of the “Make a Difference Person.” The target system is the one we seek to change, the target of our intervention. The action system includes all those who assist in bringing about change.

Here’s the deal with Pay it Forward. After watching this film, I want you to analyze it from: 1) the perspective of the course concepts – and 2) the perspective of a “make a difference person”—and critique the idea of pay it forward.

The course concepts

•Identify at least one example of all 5 concepts.

Looking through the lens of a “make a difference person”:

•You are familiar with applying the course concepts to a given situation, however, you are probably not familiar with the idea of applying ideas as an agent of change. So please •start with the main characters and identify what he/she is trying to change

•Identify the client system

•what/who is the target system and

•identify the action system.

•Include all the others who are instrumental in the idea of pay-it-forward.

•With each person or situation, please identify the make a difference person, client system, target system and action system and designate the various roles involved in the change effort. This assignment will be discussed on Forum for all to read.

Critique the Concept of Pay it Forward:

•Critique the concept of the “pay it forward” idea

•Could it work in the US?

•Your community?

•Your life?

•What might be the positive experience for the volunteer

•What might be the negative experience for the volunteer

Like our understanding of individuals, our understanding of communities is enhanced when we look at them from different theoretical perspectives. Each perspective can help us understanding what occurs in our communities.

Here is something for you to mull over in your minds: Which of the following theories is most useful in understanding the pay-it-forward situations? Ecological Theory, Social Systems Theory, Human Behavior Theories?

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Please see the movie, Pay It Forward, and respond to the assignment.

Here is the grading criteria:

Summary of the movie--10

Identification and discussion of the "change agent" process--15

Analysis of the course concepts--15

Discussion of the Pay it Forward philosophy--10

Writing Competency--5