Reference no: EM132818389
SOC1160 Introduction to Sociology - Term Paper Assignment
OVERVIEW
Purpose:
This term assignment is intended to help students become better researchers and essay writers with the ability to identify appropriate Academic (Peer reviewed Journal articles suitable to use as sources in their college/university research papers. Upon completion of this Academic (Peer Reviewed) Journal Article Review assignment, students will have demonstrated their practical understanding of how Social Science researchers acquire knowledge and will possess a deeper set of knowledge, skills and abilities to assess whether an academic article is a good source to use in their own research.
Research Questions
1. Deviance
a) Does ‘Getting Tough on Crime' by severely punishing criminal behaviour actually deter crime and result in safer communities? (Explain your answer from a sociological perspective).
b) What are the underlying social causes of crime that society should address as opposed to punishing these criminal behaviours? (Explain your answer from a sociological perspective).
2. Class and Status Inequality
a) In spite of being a relatively wealthy country, there are still many Canadian living in poverty. Is this simply because made bad choices, or are there other social factors involved that lead to poverty?
b) Canada is considered a Social Democratic country straddling both socialism and capitalism. Are some Canadians poor simply because their values do not align with the Capitalist values of getting rich?
3. Gender and Sexuality
a) What are the possible social implications if Canada were to legalize prostitution? (i.e., Would that be a good thing or a bad thing for the Canadian society?)
b) Is discrimination based on sex, gender, or gender identification still a significant social problem in Canada? (Focus only on one or two issues)
4. Ethnicity and Race Relations
a) Are the increasing levels of immigration helpful or harmful to the Canadian society? (i.e., What are the social implications of increased immigration quotas in Canada?)
b) What are the challenges facing many of the new immigrants/refugees arriving in Canada?
5. Family and Health Issues
a) With the growing diversity of the Canadian family, are some non-traditional family models just as effective (or more effective) at raising healthy, stable children as the traditional biological mom/dad? (e.g., common-law relationship, single-parent families, same-sex marriage, polygamy, etc.).
b) There are a number of diverse healthcare models across the world that reflect regional values and priorities, each with its' ‘Pros & Cons'. Are there any aspects of these diverse healthcare models the Canadian healthcare system would benefit from?
Assignment Instructions
After choosing a topic (from the list of ten (10) topic questions found on page two) of this document, students will prepare an Academic (Peer Reviewed) Journal Article Review guided by the following instructions.
• Once the topic is chosen/assigned, students will conduct research to find an Academic (Peer Reviewed) Journal Article that closely addresses the topical question.
• This article must be no more than 10-years-old and no less than five (5) pages in length, not including the Title page and the author's References.
Students will prepare an extensive written analysis of this Academic (Peer Reviewed) Journal Article utilizing the following outline:
A. Article Summary: (Worth 4-points total) (Approximately one (1) full page or more to answer effectively these questions).
This section has four (4) sections students must address:
Students must summarize the journal article in their own words - using in-text citations.
1) Why did the researcher(s) write and publish this Journal Article (i.e., what did the author want to share and why); (1-points)
2) What question(s) did the researcher(s) set out to ask and answer; (1-points)
3) What existing or previous research did the researcher(s) discuss in his Literature Review (1- points); and,
4) What are the main points and the conclusions the researcher(s) made in their paper? (1-points)
B. Critical Analysis of Journal Article: (Worth 8-points total) (Approximately one (1) full page or more to answer effectively these questions).
This section has four (4) sections students must address:
1) Evidence:
a) Discuss whether the author used scientific or non-scientific evidence; (Be sure to explain the difference between scientific or non-scientific evidence;
b) What was the nature of the evidence presented? Was the evidence empirical; and,
c) What is their level of analysis did the author employ (e.g. macro/micro);
2) Point of View/Theoretical Perspective/Biases (2-points)
All researcher(s) have a point of view, a theoretical perspective and personal biases as they approach their study. These may be stated explicitly (i.e., directly) or they may state quite implicitly (i.e., indirectly) through their argument(s).
a) What was the authors' personal point of view (i.e., what general impression did the author try to convey to his readers about was happening that motivated their research);
b) What theoretical approach did the author appear to take (e.g. Conflict Theory, Functionalism, Symbolic Interactionism, Feminism, Post-modernism, etc.); and,
c) Did the author show any person biases? (Authors will sometime unknowingly show us their shortcomings by drawing out attention to certain aspects while failing to recognize other sides of an issue).
3) Academic Strengths & Weaknesses
(Approximately one and a half (1½) full pages (or more) to answer effectively these questions.)
Discuss the strengths (i.e., what makes it academically strong / of significant value) and limitations (i.e., what makes it academically weak with limited application) of the research paper published in the academic journal.
a) What methodology did the author use and was it appropriate for this body of research;
b) Did the author (and team) collect their own evidence, or did other social scientists collect it in previous studies? (Discuss the source of the evidence used);
c) Was the evidence sufficient to support the author's conclusions? (e.g., was the sample size sufficient or too small; were the author's arguments and assumptions reasonable; did the author's personal biases dominate the discussion, or did the author present their evidence fairly and objectively); and,
d) Do you think the researcher(s) succeeded in effectively explaining the purpose and value of their research to further the current body of knowledge (i.e., did the author adequately explain the research question; and, did the author explain how this research fit into the existing body of knowledge)?
4) Personal Reflection
Students may now discuss whether they agree or disagree with the author's research approach and their conclusions. (Explain you did or did not agree with the author).
a) This is your opportunity to express your perspective on the research.
b) What is your own point of view on this topic and your reasons for that position?
C. Application of Sociological Theory and Current Social Media Article: (Worth 8-points total)
Approximately, one (1) full page to discuss effectively the application of this theory. This section has two (2) sections students must address:
1) Applying a Sociological Theory
Students should research their course textbook (i.e., look in the specific textbook chapter dealing with this topic) for one or two theories that can help explain or say something about this topic.
a) Name and fully define the theory in your own words with an in-text citation to source your information; and,
b) Discuss how this theory can explain or helps the reader something about nature of your topic question and the related Journal Article.
2) Current Social Media Article:
Students will search social media (e.g., Google News search) look for a news media article/editorial/report, which discusses a current event within Canada (or the global community) that aligns with your research topic question.
a) Provide a summary of the social media article and identify the key points they are endeavoring to make paraphrase the ; and,
b) Discuss how this theory can explain or helps the reader something about nature of your topic question and the related Journal Article.
E. APA Style Title Page and Reference Page (Worth 2-marks Total)
Students must provide an APA Manuscript Title Page and a Reference page as prescribed in the APA Publication Manual (7th Ed).
F. Academic (Peer Reviewed) Journal Article Requirements (Worth 3-marks total)
1) The article from a reputable Academic (Peer Reviewed) Journal Article or other sociological source,
• This article answered or was relevant to the research question.
2) The Academic (Peer Reviewed) Journal Article less than ten (10) years old and at least five (5) or more pages.
• Students cannot use a simple "Google search" or "Wikipedia' for this assignment!
3) The current Social Media Article submitted was less than 3-months old.
Attachment:- Introduction to Sociology.rar