marriage and family
Purpose: This is a time when students can actually apply the material they have read in the book and we have discussed in class to their everyday world. This is a constructive learning tool because it not only allows students to develop their writing, but it also empowers students to voice their theories and opinions. However, it should not be used as a time to mock or condemn other cultures or others’ beliefs. I would encourage students to constructively criticize an issue with respect and not attack in an uneducated manner.
Guidelines:
Select a social issue that you feel is greatly affecting either marriage, the family, or both. I want you to take the time to research this issue further and develop your argument for why you feel it is either affecting marriage and/or the family negatively or positively.
The big thing in this paper is that I want students to research this topic using your textbook and other academic materials including at least 3 academic journal articles. I would encourage students use CTC library journal database and go beyond the Internet searches. I will NOT accept wiki sites, as they can be unreliable and not academic.
Questions I would like you to address when writing your paper. (These are a starting point. Please feel free, and I encourage you to, go above and beyond these questions. Also, if all of these questions do not fit your paper, then expand past them.)
What is the sociological issue that you are addressing?
Why did you pick this subject to write on?
How is this issue affecting marriage, the family, or both? Explain and provide examples/supporting evidence.
Why is it important to study the issue? Bring in theory to support what you have to say.
Why is it important to address the issue to the general public (outside of academia)?
What would be some of the potential positive consequences of addressing the issue?
What would be some of the negative consequences of addressing this issue?
Format: The assignment is to write a paper of at least 5 pages and no more than 7 pages. The majority of the paper should be your original thought with academic material supporting what you have to say, not direct quotations throughout the whole paper. The paper should be typed, double-spaced, one-inch margins, Headers should not exceed .5 inches from the top, size 12 Times New Roman font, and STAPLED. Any references to books, other than your textbook, you should cite this book with an internal citation and a bibliography page. (Guidance on how to cite can be located at http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html.)
