OBJECTIVES: This project provides students with the opportunity to analyze current real-world issues through a life
course perspective. Students will apply their skills in critical thinking, original analysis, and concise and professional
writing. Students will strengthen their understanding of key course concepts through an original post, and ongoing
discussion with other students.
Basic Requirements (Length): 500 to 750 words.
Summary of Expectations:
For this assignment, you will analysis and discuss an event, issue, policy, or debate that connect with the major themes or
topics of our course. You will apply a life-course perspective to your analysis and use at least three concepts from the
course in your written post.
Choice of Topic:
Students have a wide range of possible topics for this assignment. You should choose a specific debate or issue within a
broader topic.
(For example, instead of choosing “parenting styles” as your topic, you’d want to choose something more specific like “What is
helicopter parenting and why is it becoming increasingly popular?” Remember, your analysis will be a concise written post, not an
essay!)
A strong topic typically meets all of the following criteria:
1. You are interested in learning or thinking more about this issue.
2. The issue is current (if you want to choose something more than 2 years old, just check with the professor first)
3. It will lead to an interesting discussion with your classmates
4. It is connected to the course in a meaningful way.
5. Background information can be easily shared (through a link to a website, video, article etc) for readers to learn
more.
Some examples of broad topics that have been popular with past students include: the significance of birth order and
personality; trends in family violence; media representations of children; the impact of online dating; mandatory
retirement policies; immigration policies; popular parenting styles, use of social media for different populations.
