Archive for year: 2024

SOCI 4395 Health & Illness in the US

Reaction Paper Guidelines (25 points each)

Write two reaction papers based on TWO of the documentaries listed below:

“The New Asylums” (based on Ch. 4) Due Sunday, February 16 before 11:59 p.m.

“The Weight of the Nation: Part 1” (based on

Ch. 6)

Due Sunday, March 15 before 11:59 p.m.

“Project VoiceScape: Musical Warrior” (2011)

(based on Ch. 7)

Due Sunday, March 22 before 11:59 p.m.

You must upload an electronic copy of your paper on the Blackboard on the day it is due.

Required Format:

 Paper has to be 2-3 double-spaced pages. DO NOT exceed 3 pages.

 11 or 12-point font size must be used, preferably Arial or Times New Roman.

 Use 1” margins on the top and bottom and at least 1” margins on the left and right.

Style and Structure:

 The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate that you understand the documentary you have watched—and the material/chapter you have read— and that you have thought

about are enough to be able to make an original response to it.

 Please note that response papers are not exercises in simply summarizing the assigned readings. Instead, you must critically respond to the ideas being presented by answering

the questions stated below.

 Support your argument by drawing on the lecture PowerPoints and readings.

 You do not need a bibliography, but acknowledge other sources directly in the text (e.g., “As Dr. Amin described in the PowerPoint…”, “In the textbook…”,

“According to Durkheim…”)

 I strongly recommend writing in the first person.

 The layout of your paper should be like that of your average English essay with an introduction, a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

 Remember that this is a formal paper. Keep your language formal and avoid contractions.

Below are some guidelines to help you in preparing a clear and thoughtful reaction paper:

First, give details of the documentary (Introduction)

What is the Title of the documentary?

Who are the Intended audience?

SOCI 4395 Health & Illness in the US

Second, summarize the documentary (1-2 paragraphs)

What is the subject of the documentary? / What is the documentary about?

Third, critically evaluate and extend the main theoretical arguments (1-2 paragraphs)

What is/are the purpose/ main ideas of the documentary?

What is the main message the director wants to get across to the audience?

Do you agree or disagree with these ideas?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the documentary?

Fourth, state your prior knowledge of the subject (1-2 paragraphs)

In this step, you need to synthesize the assigned chapter with the documentary.

Was the documentary related to the assigned chapter?, How?

Try to synthesize the main purpose/s of the documentary with the main idea/s discussed

in the assigned chapter?

Finally, give personal comments and recommendation (1-2 paragraphs)

In this final step, you need to provide a summary of your personal feedback on the

documentary.

Did you like the documentary?

Which part of the documentary do you like most? and Why?

What have you learned from it?

What impact did this documentary have on you?

Was there anything that surprised you?

What are the drawbacks of the documentary?

Best of Luck!

SOCI 4395 Health & Illness in the US

The following grading rubric will be used to evaluate the students’ work:

Criteria Points

A coherent paper (Intro, body paragraphs, and a conclusion)

Grammar, punctuation, and spelling

_____ /2.5 pts

A clear summary of the documentary: the main

arguments/approaches/ideas & Summary of the documentary

_____ /7.5 pts

Synthesize the documentary with the assigned chapter from the

textbook

_____ /7.5 pts

Strength of your critique/criticism: addressing the strengths and

weaknesses of the documentary, stating your opinion

(agree/disagree and why), etc

_____ /5 pts

Clarity and precision: is it clear to the reader (me) what you are

trying to say? Is your wording precise?

_____ /2.5 pts

Total

_____ /25 pts

Term Paper – Position Paper

In this activity, you will research all sides of a controversial environmental issue (e.g. The

Keystone Pipeline, The use/ban of DDT, The Dakota Access Pipeline, Global Climate

Change, The US withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, Human population growth

and food security, energy use and environmental implications, Hydraulic fracking,

location of landfills etc.) to gain a better understanding of the environmental issue and

articulate a position based on the evidence Learning you have collected.

ves ObjectiAdd ressed by this Activity

 Be prepared to apply critical and reflective thinking in environmental

science.

 Articulate a position on an environmental issue.

 Provide evidence that supports a position on an environmental issue.

Required Time

The completed paper is due before midnight on Saturday May 9th, 2020 and MUST be submitted through the final paper turnitin link in Canvas. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Papers should NOT be sent through my email

Description

You will prepare a 3-pages position paper that includes your opinions, viewpoints,

feelings, and the evidence that supports them. The 3-page limit does not include the

reference list and figures/data tables. Figures and tables if included, should not take up

more than one third of a page. All figures and or data tables should have a title.

The main reason for this activity is for you to use your critical thinking skills to analyze the

different arguments of an issue and then articulate your own position on the issue

(supported by evidence).

Assessment

A description of the evaluation criteria is included in the guidelines following.

Paper Guidelines

Position paper Due date

is 05/09/2020 A position paper differs from a traditional term paper in that it includes your

opinions, viewpoints, feelings, and the evidence that supports them. The main

reason for this activity is to understand an issue better by researching all sides of

the issue thoroughly. Choose an environmental topic that interests you (you can

select from the list above or choose a topic of your own). Research the different

sides of the issue and think about your position on the issue. Write a position paper

based on the guidelines outlined below. The paper should be 3 pages long (12 pts

font, 1 ½ spaced). If your paper is longer than 3 pages, I will grade the first 3

pages. Use at least 5 sources for the paper and make sure you use the proper

format (APA) for your paper and reference list. The following books, available at

the HCCs bookstore will help you explore different environmental issues:

 Taking sides. Clashing views on controversial environmental issues / selected,

edited, and with introductions by Theodore D. Goldfarb

 Taking sides. Clashing views on controversial environmental issues / selected,

edited, and with introductions by Thomas A. Easton

Evaluation Criteria and Guidelines: Point Values

Paper: Please turn in the cover sheet I provided

15 possible points

15 possible points

15 possible points

15 possible points

10 possible points

15 possible points

5 possible points

I. Introduction: Statement of the issue to be discussed. II. Description of more than one side of the issue supported by

relevant and multiple sources of information (use references).

III. Clear concise statements of your position on the issue. IV. Discussion of your position supported by relevant and

multiple sources of information. V. Questions that have arisen as you researched the issues and

information you need to understand the issue better.

VI. Concise summary statement restating the issue, your position, and the essential evidence that supports your position.

VII.Literature Cited (APA) Appropriate number (minimum of 5) Appropriate type (not only opinions)

Proper format (see below for examples)

Overall Important Communication Factors 10 possible points

Spelling and grammar

Neatness

Clarity and consistency of focus

Subtitles for each section heading in your paper

(required) Total Possible Points 100 possible points

Example of proper format for references IN TEXT:

Book or Journal Article: The wild boar has caused extensive damage to the wildlife reserve.

(Smith, 1993).

Personal Communication: J.W. Jones explained that the Smoky Mountains are used

quite extensively during the summer months (personal communication, August 24,

2000).

The Smoky Mountains are used quite extensively during the summer months (J.W.

Jones, personal communication, August 24, 2000).

Note: Personal communications should be referred only in text. Provide initials and as

exact a date as possible. Explain who the person is and why their input is important.

Examples of proper APA (American Psychological Association) format for LITERATURE

CITED:

Journal Article: Adelgid, B. W. (1999). Killing fraser firs in the Smoky Mountains. Journal of

Exotics and Introduced Species. 1 (15), 13-15.

Book: Boar, E. W. (1993). Upsetting the balance of the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. (3 rd

ed.). London:

Island Press.

On-Line Sources: Mussel, Z., Loosestrife, P. (September 23, 1999). Gaining a foothold in a new

environment [On-Line]. Available: http://www.eliminatingnativespecies.com/

A brief listing of some suggestions that should be implemented in your position paper to

ensure the highest quality:

Make sure your ‘voice’ is apparent in the paper – don’t overuse quotes. Use

the writing lab as a resource.

Have others proofread your paper for spelling, grammar, and organizational

problems. Have at least one literate, logical friend read through your paper

carefully to check for “flow of logic” mistakes, ambiguous statements, etc.

Make sure you write a position paper and NOT a traditional term paper. There is a

difference! If you are unsure about the difference reread the guidelines and talk with

me.

Reread these notes again before you turn in the paper.