This paper is the major writing assignment for this course. Each student will arrange to interview, observe and interact with two subjects (separately). The subjects cannot be a relative of the student, and RELATIVE IS DEFINED AS ANY PERSON RELATED BY BLOOD, MARRIAGE, OR CO-HABITATION, but can be someone they already know or someone they are meeting for the first time to do this assignment.) You need to make up a fictional name for the person in your paper and state that you are not using their correct name. Ideally, one subject should be a young adult between the ages of 25 and 34. The other subject should be a late adult between the ages of 65 and 85 (or older). After interviewing each subject, you will write narrative essay describing what you were told by each subject about their life. You must use the material discussed in class as well as other material to help you explain each subjects’ life story. For instance, were these subjects similar to the material or case studies we studied, and were there things about the subjects that appeared to be different from the material we studied? You should approach writing the paper from a life course perspective, looking at developmental issues and transitions that commonly occur during young adulthood or late adulthood, respectively. At the beginning of each section, be sure you give the person’s age and a description of the environment in which you did the interview and interactions (were you in the person’s home? at school? eating in a restaurant? etc.). What would theorists we have studied, such as Erikson and Piaget, say about this person’s development? You should divide the paper into two sections, one of each subject. Papers must be typed and double-spaced and must use APA format. In addition to the textbook, you will need to use a minimum of five outside sources, all of which must be peer-reviewed. Your paper should be at least 8 pages in length (not counting the cover page, references or any other additional material.)
