SOC - Final Assignment

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VAC SOWK 505 SUMMER 2015

VAC SOWK 505 Assignment #3 1

SOWK 505 VAC Summer 2015

Assignment #3 Older Adult Development Paper

The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate mastery in the application of theoretical and empirical work relevant to the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial development of an older adult based on a face-to-face interview. You will demonstrate your understanding of HBSE theories through critical analysis and clear articulation of supporting evidence including examples from the case and scholarly literature.

Selection of Interviewee

• The interviewee must be 70 years of age or older and may be a neighbor, coworker, fellow community member, casual acquaintance, or anyone else who is willing to volunteer for the interview. Ask your instructor for suggestions if you have trouble identifying an interviewee.

• Do not choose a family member or a close friend of the family for this

assignment.

• Do not use a family member of a friend or colleague nor an instructor at the USC School of Social Work.

• The interview must be face-to-face. Mailing or e-mailing questions and

responses is not acceptable. Neither is conducting the interview by phone, Skype or other electronic means. Most social work practice is still done face-to-face and this exercise provides practice with in person communication. Use a pseudonym in the paper to protect confidentiality.

• An interview guide is provided in a Supplemental Handout to assist you in

conducting the interview.

• A socio-historical timeline is also provided to assist you in understanding some of the larger socio-historical contexts that your interviewee lived through.

VAC SOWK 505 SUMMER 2015

VAC SOWK 505 Assignment #3 2

Specific Paper Instructions

PART I. Case description (3 pages) Introduce the interviewee and present the “story” of the person’s life. Your case write-up of their story should include the following information, use sub-headings and appropriate references throughout: • General description of the interviewee including age, race, ethnicity, where they

were born and other important identifying factors. • Current environment, community, family life, activities, interests and important

relationships and/or other situational factors. • Family history, family life cycle and dynamics, and/or other factors relevant to their

family. • Health issues, including current illnesses or disabilities and/or other physical and

mental health factors. • Social development and life history including family of origin, where they grew up,

education and work history, social networks and significant life events.

PART II. Analysis & Critique (9 pages total) The second part of the assignment is a critical theoretical analysis of the person's life using theories, frameworks and concepts from the course. Be careful NOT to repeat the case description in this section. Your analysis should contain the following sections. Use headings and appropriate references throughout.

Section A. Apply three different theories to the case. Choose one theory from 503, the other two from 505. Select theories that are most applicable to your interviewee’s life course. Use a descriptive heading for each theory. You may not use theories that you did in previous papers (including attachment theory and intersectionality). Your application of theories should be in depth, analyzing all aspects of the theory you have chosen as it relates to relevant patterns of bio-psycho-social spiritual functioning of the person’s life. Section B. Include a critique of each theory discussing strengths and weaknesses of each one, supporting your claims with examples from the case. Use sub-headings to identify the critique subsection for each theory.

PART III. Social Issue (1 page)

Identify and discuss an important social issue and/or historical event that impacted the life of your interviewee. Describe the historical socio-political context and how that affected your interviewee’s life course. Use headings and appropriate references throughout.

VAC SOWK 505 SUMMER 2015

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PART IV. Personal Reflection (1 page) The third section of the assignment is a self-reflection on personal and clinical insights you have gained from the experience of completing the assignment. Here you should discuss your own process conducting the interview, include the following:

• What assumptions did you have coming into the interview and how were those confirmed or disconfirmed?

• How did the interview experience affect your view of older adults and the aging process?

• In what ways were you personally changed or challenged as a result of having conducted the interview?

• How has your understanding of clinical terms such as “starting where the client is”, client self-determination, person-in-environment, and the client’s perspective changed?

• What insights have you gained about the ways in which people integrate and make meaning of their life experiences?

Part V. Oral Presentations Oral presentations will be done in class; the format will be up to the individual instructor. The presentation will include a short overview of the individual you interviewed, highlighting the developmental points of interest and milestones. Students should speak about their personal experience with conducting the interview. Writing and Mechanics Throughout the paper, provide conceptual and empirical evidence to support your arguments, referencing a minimum of 14 scholarly works, at least 4 of which must be outside sources (i.e., not on any SOWK syllabus). Non-scholarly publications and/or websites will not count towards the reference count. The paper should be 14-15 pages in length (not counting references or title page), double-spaced, 12 point font with 1-inch margins on all sides. The evaluation of the paper will be based on whether you addressed all aspects of the assignment, the appropriate use of the theoretical concepts you have chosen, the strength of your analysis, the quality of your written work (organization, flow, clarity, grammar, spelling), and the correct application of APA style. Do not use bullet points or list interview questions and answers in your paper. Avoid lengthy quotes and write in your own words to demonstrate your understanding of the material. Students must work independently and your words must be your own. Correct use of quotations, paraphrasing and in-text citing is required. Refer to the university guidelines on academic integrity and plagiarism: http://www.usc.edu/student- affairs/student-conduct/grad_ai.htm If you have any questions about APA style, please refer to our library libguides and the writing tutorials from our writing center. The rubric for this assignment is attached.

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You must upload the assignment in WORD to the VAC by 11:59 PST, Monday August 17 2015. Assignments will be docked 4 points per day that they are late, and will NOT be accepted if they are more than 7 days late.

SOWK 505 SPRING 2015--Final Paper Grading Rubric PART I. Case description (3 pages, 15 points) See final paper instructions for complete assignment expectations.

Exceeds expectations, demonstrates mastery 15-14 points

Meets expectations, demonstrates competency

13-12 points

Does not meet expectations 11 & below

Earned Points