SERVICE-LEARNING PAPER:
This is your opportunity to reflect on your “real world” service
experience using the sociological perspective and sociological concepts,
theories, and principles. This analysis helps you apply the sociology concepts
and principles to new and different situations and to develop higher
levels of understanding of the concepts and theories. You will post it
in the assignment section.
The paper (3.5 pages minimum) should analyze (not just describe) your
experience. I suggest the following format/parts for the paper.
However, don’t put I., II., etc. Write an APA Paper; I will post more
info on Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab for help.
I. Describe your service- learning experience (approximately half a
page). The first part is a rich description of an incident or event
which the student has observed or experienced.
II. Place your experience in a broader context (approx. 3 pages).
The second part is a sociological analysis of the incident making
specific references to concepts or theories taken from the text,
readings or class discussions. You can discuss the course concepts you
saw in action, the course concepts that help you to understand/explain
your experience, and/or things you experienced that ran counter to
course concepts.
You don’t have to discuss every course concept, just the ones most
relevant to your experience. In fact, I prefer a few concepts and
theories developed well (defined, illustrated with examples, and
explained in terms of how your experience illustrates the concept) to a
lot of concepts superficially treated. You need to include a
minimum of three concepts and one major theoretical approach. I will
post a video breaking down functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic
interactionism, because I noticed in many of the family research papers,
not everyone fully understands these theories. Your objective
is to demonstrate your comprehension of course material. Be sure to
cite course material you use with appropriate documentation/formatting
style. A works cited page in a format consistent with your parenthetical
references should be included.
EVALUATION OF THE SERVICE EXPERIENCE
Students must complete the experience to receive a passing grade in the course.
The entire project will comprise 120 points of the course grade. The
proposal and paper/presentation will be evaluated according to the
following criteria and weighted as outlined:
