SYB 115
STUDIES IN SOCIAL PROBLEMS
FALL 2007
SOCIAL PROBLEMS PROJECT--RESEARCH OPTION
Stage
III -- Social Policy
Your objective in this section of the project will be to analyze important aspects of potential solutions to the problem that you have studied in the first two stages of this project. The social policy section of your research should answer the following questions:
1. What attempts is society making to solve
the problem? What (if any) social movements are advocating
changes? What solutions do they
propose? What social policies have been
developed (or proposed) to remedy the problem? Using library or Internet
resources, find two (or more) policies or programs that attempt to address the
problem. Provide a brief description of the major policy initiatives
(note: you can look at both government and private attempts to address the
problem). If you have been studying a broad social problem (e.g., AIDS),
you may want to narrow the focus of this paper (e.g., focus on AIDS prevention
programs, or programs to make AIDS treatment more affordable, or policies to
protect the civil rights of persons with HIV/AIDS).
2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of
competing attempts to solve/address the problem? Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the
various policies developed to address the problems. What has
worked? What has failed? Why? Who has benefited (or could
benefit) from possible solutions (does the political economy approach apply
here?)? Do you see any value conflicts or conflicts of interest which
hinder attempts to solve the problem? You should try to link your
analysis to class discussion of social policies and social change.
3. Conclusion. Which approaches do you believe have been/will be most effective in attempting to solve the problem? Be certain that you provide the reasons for your decision. Can you offer any suggestions to improve or replace existing policies?
Presentation of Findings:
The presentation of this stage of your research project should be in the form of a 5-6 page (typed, double-spaced) report. Your report should be organized to follow the three issue areas outlined above (description of policies; analysis of strengths/weaknesses; conclusion).
References:
Be sure to keep track of your sources because you will need to cite them in
your report (all ideas, words, and facts which are not your own MUST be
referenced). Information on the proper format for references is available
through the course web page at: <uhaweb.hartford.edu/doane/references.htm>
and will be attached to the in-class handout.
Be sure that your paper is free from plagiarism (see the discussion of
plagiarism and the example on the course website at <http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/doane/plagiarism.htm>)
Assistance:
Unlike the first two stages of the project, you will not have an opportunity to revise and resubmit Stage III. Consequently, I strongly encourage you to meet with me to discuss an outline of your paper.
Evaluation:
Evaluation (i.e., your grade) will be based upon the clarity of your presentation (i.e., organization, readability, and correct grammar), your use of resources, and the quality (depth, insightfulness, relevance to the course) of your analysis and discussion. Be sure to follow the above guidelines in planning your paper! Please be sure to devote adequate time and space to this assignment. Papers that fall short of the recommended minimum length WILL receive lower grades. Proofread your paper! Spelling and grammar will affect your grade.
Due Date/Late Papers/Extensions:
This assignment is due at 1 PM on Tuesday,
December 18! Time extensions will be allowed only in extreme
circumstances (severe illness or family emergency) and will result in your
receiving an “incomplete” for the course.