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SOC 320 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric Overview The final project for this course is the creation of a position paper to illustrate the position of a social advocacy group on a gender-related issue

Sociology

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SOC 320 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric

Overview

The final project for this course is the creation of a position paper to illustrate the position of a social advocacy group on a gender-related issue. You will assume the role of a researcher for a social advocacy group that focuses on issues related to gender. You will assume that your manager has tasked you with writing a position paper that clearly articulates the group’s stance on a given gender-related issue in an attempt to justify the ultimate goal of the social advocacy group. You will select an issue from the options provided or submit your own issue for instructor approval. You will then analyze the issue through the incorporation of evidence and the application of sociological theory.

You are encouraged to choose your own topic to address in the position paper and will be guided through this process in the early modules of the course. Some gender-related issues to you might consider focusing on in this project include the following:

? Fraternity hazing

? Equal pay for women

? Allowing children to transition to their self-identified gender

? Adoption rights for same-sex couples

? Gender-neutral bathrooms in the workplace

The project is divided into two milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to provide you opportunities to conduct research and work on elements of your paper. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three and Five. The final product will be submitted in Module Seven.

In the position paper, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

? Analyze views of gender from a historical perspective for their impact on today’s societies and individuals

? Challenge current stereotypes of various gender expressions using evidence from observations and other resources

? Determine how reactions to expressions of gender and gender identity have evolved over time supported by sociological theory

? Communicate results of analyses on gender issues adhering to ethical requirements and other best practices regarding sociological research

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 Prompt

For your position paper, you will represent the position of your social advocacy group on a specific issue related to gender and support that position through the application of sociological theory and evidence. Your position will challenge preconceived notions around this issue by investigating its history and how it has evolved over time. The goal of this paper is to promote awareness around your chosen issue and encourage support for your social advocacy group.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

I. Introduction: In this section, you will introduce your audience to the gender issue you have chosen. You will develop a statement that establishes your position on your chosen issue. Be sure to employ appropriate ethical considerations and best practices when communicating your introduction.

A. Provide a brief overview of your chosen gender issue. Explain the impact of the issue related to social roles within social institutions.

B. Based on your chosen issue, discuss the focus of this position paper in terms of how it aligns with the ultimate goal of the social advocacy group.

In other words, what are you trying to accomplish by exploring this gender issue?

C. Briefly discuss the evidence that you will use in the analysis of the issue.

D. Briefly introduce the theory that you will use in the analysis of the issue.

E. Develop a statement that communicates your social advocacy group’s position on the issue.

II. Analysis: Now that you have identified a gender issue, analyze evidence and apply sociological theory to communicate and support your position. Be sure to employ appropriate ethical considerations and best practices when constructing your analysis.

A. Articulate in detail your social advocacy group’s position regarding the issue. Your description should be written in a way that leads into your evidence and theory application.

B. Evaluate prevalent stereotypes regarding the issue. Be sure to address the validity, effects, and persistence of these stereotypes.

C. Describe recent social change regarding the issue and support your response with examples.

D. Analyze historical interpretations of the issue within relevant social structures (i.e., social institutions and culture) and support your analysis with

evidence.

E. Analyze modern interpretations of the issue within relevant social structures (i.e., social institutions and culture) and support your analysis with

evidence.

F. Apply appropriate sociological theory to historical and modern interpretations of the issue to support your overall analysis.

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 III. Conclusion: In this section of the position paper, you will summarize the key points of your analysis while adhering to appropriate ethical standards and best practices.

A. Describe the ethical challenges in analyzing the issue, supporting your response with examples.

B. Review the key points of your analysis and make a universal statement about your position regarding the issue. Consider summarizing insights

and perspectives that were gained through the incorporation of evidence.

C. Determine possible solutions that would be effective in lessening the negative impact of the issue on society.

D. Communicate your final position on this issue, supported by the findings of your analysis.

Milestones

Milestone One: Mapping the Issue Worksheet

In Module Three, you will submit a worksheet that includes the gender-related issue you selected for the project, a brief description of the social advocacy group, three or four research sources that you will use to present sociological evidence, and the theoretical lenses you may apply to your analysis. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.

Milestone Two: Detailed Outline

In Module Five, you will create a detailed outline for your final paper, synthesizing all of your work in the course to date. This includes the following:

? Your position statement on the issue

? Identification of stereotypes that may need to be challenged in order for others to accept your position

? A list of historical events from the last decade that have affected perceptions on this issue (historical interpretations)

? Identification of the social changes these historic events have caused

? Explanation of current perceptions related to this issue (modern interpretations) within the family, the media, educational institutions, and organized

religion

? Description of the theoretical lenses that you will use to support the analysis of the historical and modern interpretations

This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.

Final Submission: Position Paper

In Module Seven, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.

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 Final Project Rubric

Guidelines for Submission: Your position paper should be 6 to 8 pages in length (plus a cover page and references) and written in APA format. Use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Include at least three references cited in APA format.