Order Description
Assessment Essay
Assessment 2 Information
Type: Assignment – Written Assignment – Essay
Weight: 40%
Length: 1,500 words
Description: Choose ONE of the following social problems: unemployment, binge drinking, homelessness. Choose ONE of the three key sociological perspectives discussed in weeks 2-4 to explain the phenomenon. In your answer, you will need to demonstrate an understanding of the nature and extent of the problem before applying your chosen sociological theory.
Suggested combinations of theory and social problems:
Unemployment AND conflict theory
Binge drinking AND symbolic interactionism
Homelessness AND functionalism
Assessment Details
Recommended combinations:
Unemployment AND conflict theory
How do those with wealth and power control the employment of the lower classes?
Binge drinking AND symbolic interactionism
How would interactions with others influence drinking?
Homelessness AND functionalism
What social institutions might break down to cause homelessness?
In your answer, you will need to demonstrate an understanding of the nature (who does it affect?) and extent (how many people?) of the problem before applying your chosen sociological theory.
Suggested Word Counts (and Structure)
Introduction 150 words
Provide an overview of essay in first paragraph
Social problem 300-350 words
Discuss the nature and extent of the problem
Theory description 400-500 words
Give a general overview of the entire theory
Then explain each concept
Theory application 400-500 words
As soon as you explain each concept it, apply it
Think about how the concepts apply to your social problem and look for research to support that OR
Start with research and think about how the concepts explain the findings
Conclusion :150 words
Summarise essay
3 Sections to Marking Criteria
Content
Structure
Writing and Referencing
Each of these will now be explained in detail
Start with three key steps:
First, you need to select one of the three suggested social problems (focus on Australia). You will then search for the appropriate sources (authoritative sources) which will help you describe and frame the selected problem (nature and extent). The more information you have on your selected social problem, the easier it will be to select the theory
Are there dysfunctions in social institutions leading to problem (func)?
Is there evidence of power and wealth playing a role (conf)?
Are peoples interactions with others influencing their behaviours (SI)?
Second, select one of the three sociological theories covered in this course, properly explain it before applying it (give a general overview of the theory use references). Then focus on theoretical concepts provide a proper explanation of these in order to demonstrate your understanding (use academic sources to support).
Third, you need to now link the theoretical concepts and social problem (brainstorm!). The links need to be properly supported with empirical evidence, which means here you need to use research in order to demonstrate how theory helps explain how social problem occurs.
Need to outline how the problem came about rather than talking about it after its already happened
Content Persuasive/Argumentative Essay
Need a main argument(s) – point out at very start of your essay.
Need to continuously relate information back to this argument throughout the rest of your essay.
Argument needs to be grounded in the application of the theory how does your selected theory explain how your selected social problem occurred.
Persuasive essay – need to properly persuade reader of your argument.
First, persuade reader selected social problem actually is a problem (extent and nature of problem);
Second, persuade reader of your theoretical understanding by properly explaining selected theory;
Third, through your application, you need to persuade the reader of your argument that the theory can explain the occurrence of the problem.
Tips:
Provide general definition of a social problem, then link to your social problem (how is your selected social problem considered a social problem based on the established definition);
Properly frame selected social problem in Australian context here you need to provide statistical information on the extent (how many people does it affect?), nature (what kinds of people does it affect?) impact, etc. in order to demonstrate (according to the definition) that this problem is actually a social problem;
Properly describe selected social problem definition and negative impacts on individuals and society.
Use at least 10 authoritative sources – research widely and begin search with the set readings. Selected because directly relevant to the course content, so do not neglect them.
Two main sources of information you need to use for essay are:
Online journals: Gold standard Griffith library (www.griffith.edu.au/library) gives you access to extensive collection of journals.
Recognised institutions: Most government departments and research bodies (e.g. Australian Bureau of Statistics) put their publications on the web.
For this essay avoid:
The open web: You will find information on almost anything by simply googling it – very poor source of information
Lecture slides: All based on weekly readings – use those sources instead
Structure
Introduction
Good intro crucial. To navigate through an unfamiliar essay, reader needs a map or instructions that highlight the points of interest and guides them safely to the end. Your introduction is a brief summary of your essay. It must do the following:
Set out the problem to be addressed;
Highlight the main arguments to be made (e.g., the theory can be used to explain the origins of the social problem);
Provide an explicit plan of the essay (the order in which you will present information);
Provide a direct answer to the question (or instructions).
Discussion
Give serious thought to order in which you present your information. There needs to be logic to it you cannot just present information in a random order.
Outline social problem (inc. nature and extent), then theory, then as each concept is defined, apply it to explain origins of social problem
A discussion needs to be well structured and the structure should be obvious to the reader. Keep telling your reader what you are up to
Set out a clear plan in intro and then follow that structure in your discussion.
Use signposts to emphasis that you are following the plan (e.g. The second argument is)
Do not write too short or too long paragraphs (about 5 sentences, no longer than half a page).
Each paragraph should have a topic sentence and should only discuss one idea make sure your paragraphs are not too long
Conclusion
Brief summary of essay
DONT copy and paste intro
Do not introduce any new information
Do not leave your answer to the question (or instructions) until the conclusion
You need to avoid the use of quotes here
Writing and Referencing
Referencing
American Psychological Association 6th edition (APA 6) referencing style.
Robert Perrin\’s Pocket Guide to APA Style
Red Book: Quinn, A. J., & Phillips, M. (2014). Writing for psychology: An introductory guide: https://sites.google.com/a/griffith.edu.au/redbook/referencing.
Griffith Referencing tool is also available at: https://app.secure.griffith.edu.au/reference_tool/index-core.php
Assignment formatting guidelines:
12 point font (usually Times New Roman font)
2.5 – 3cm margin (use standard margins in Word)
Double or one and a half line spacing (single line spacing is used for quotes when these are separated and indented)
Each page needs to be numbered.
Title page, which should include the following:
Student name and number
Unit name and number
Due date
Assignment item number and type
Coordinator name
Tutor name
Word count
Marking Criteria
Introduction summarises answer to the question
outlines the issue/briefly overviews the topic
highlights the main arguments and conclusions
provides a well thought-out essay plan
Discussion is well organised
follows the essay plan
logically groups and orders ideas
uses signposts and transition sentences to provide explicit directions to the reader
uses previews and summaries strategically
is written in paragraphs that have a topic sentences and develop a single idea
effectively integrates information from different sources
paragraphs are properly structured with one idea only
Conclusion provides a summary of the essay
reviews the key points and arguments
reiterates a direct answer to the question
avoids irrelevant information and new information
Not applying concepts to explain how the problem came about
Define concept, then think about how that concept explains the social problem – use research to support your explanation
DONT discuss how to solve the problem or how the problem causes other problems
Purpose of the essay is to describe how the social problem came about
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