Social problems are often viewed as individually based and the responsibility of the individual or group facing the problem. But sociologists take a broader view. They examine the complex set of variables that cause these problems using three theoretical perspectives: structural functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interaction.
As these problems surface in individual lives, the workplace, and communities, a sociological perspective is valuable for providing a framework for more comprehensive investigation of how variables affect the social problem. A well-defined theoretical basis for analysis also limits personal biases when analyzing problems.
In this project, you will play the part of a sociologist who has been requested by your community to craft a letter of intent to the potential funder, the Department of Health and Human Services. The project will be divided into two parts. In the first part, you will prepare to write the letter of intent by conducting research on the social problem and thinking about how to limit your personal biases.
In the second part of the project, the letter of intent, you will analyze the problem from a sociological perspective, outlining the influential variables and the local and global impacts of the problem. Your goal is to suggest a potential solution. By completing this assignment you demonstrate the following skills employers in the field may be looking for:
Cultural awareness when interacting with others
Research and synthesis of information
Data analysis
Written communication
Critical thinking
Problem analysis and problem solving
Work independently
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Analyze contemporary social problems on local and global scales by applying key theoretical perspectives
Analyze social variables and determinants for their influence in the development of contemporary social problems on a local and global scale
Suggest potential solutions that are aligned with best practices for addressing the negative impacts of social issues
Summarize how to limit personal biases in analyzing social problems
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
Prompt
Introduction: In this section, you will summarize your proposal. Explain the contemporary social problem that you selected and discuss the relevance for today’s society on a local level. How does the issue present itself in the United States or in your local community?
Problem Description: Determine the most influential social variables and determinants leading to the social problem. Justify your selections with research.
Explain how the social variables and determinants influence the development of the social problem on a local level. Support your explanations with resources.
Explain how the social variables and determinants influence the development of the social problem on a global level. Support your explanations with resources.
Describe the differences and similarities between local and global influences of these social variables and determinants. Provide specific examples.
Approach: In this section, you will sift through your personal biases, with the aim of limiting such biases in your later analysis.
Describe how people talk about this social problem and how stereotypes, biases, and assumptions can confuse the issue. Support your description with resources.
Identify and reflect on your own biases and assumptions around the issue and how these may affect your analysis of the issue. Everyone has certain preconceived notions about social issues. What are yours, and how might they influence your analysis and interpretation?
Explain how you will use sociological theory to limit biases when you analyze the social problem. How can the theory help you limit your biases? Provide a specific example.
Global Impact: So that the funder can understand the significance of the social problem, you will explain the local and global impacts using a sociological perspective.
Provide an example of how the social problem manifests itself on a local as well as global scale. In what other country or countries does this problem present itself and how?
Compare and contrast the existence of the problem locally versus globally. How is the way the problem exists locally similar to or different from the way it exists globally?
Based on your comparison of the local and global manifestations of the social issue, what conclusions can you draw about the influence of globalization on this specific social issue? How similar or different are the social issues and their repercussions, and what does that mean in relation to the impact of globalization?
Select a key sociological theoretical perspective that best explains why there are similarities and differences in how the social issue presents on a local and global scale, justifying your selection. Base your analysis on one of the three key sociological perspectives covered in Module Two’s journal assignment.
Apply your selected theoretical perspective to explain why there are similarities and differences in how the social issue presents on a local and global scale.
Potential Solution
Compare at least one successful attempted solution with at least one attempted unsuccessful solution to the problem. From your comparison, why did the successful solution succeed, and why did the unsuccessful solution fail? Support your findings with resources from the text or your own research.
Based on your previous research, what suggestion do you have for responding to the identified social issue? Specifically, what do you suggest as an action in responding to the social issue?
Explain why your suggestion is likely to be successful, substantiating with research. Explain how the suggestion takes into account your previous research of attempted solutions and identified best practices.
Milestones
Milestone One: Department of Health and Human Services: Identifying the Problem
In Module Three, you will submit your first milestone in which you will submit a draft of the first three critical elements. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Department of Health and Human Services: Suggesting a Solution
