This paper must be double-spaced 3-4 pages in length.
For this assignment, you will be studying one social problem that exists in the Third World country, Niger
I) Finding Information. 10 pts.
Do a library search (use electronic databases such as Nexis Uni, Web of Science, etc.) to find three articles about a singlesocial problem in the country you selected that relates to one of the following: social inequality/poverty, gender inequality, racial/ethnic inequality, crime, environmental destruction, population growth, education, health, hunger, war, or other (see me or email me to get approval for a topic that is not listed). Remember, you must find three articles about the same problem and not three articles that talk about three different problems. You must use reputable sources of information such as studies reported in academic journals or articles written by experts, journalists and reported in major newspapers. You can also use information reported by government agencies and NGOs or INGOs (personal blogs are not reputable sources of information) and your articles must be relevant to the problem you are describing for you to receive full credit. You will not receive credit from using online encyclopedias (Wikipedia, etc.).
2) Describing the Problem. 20 pts.
Provide the following information about this problem:
a) What is it? b) Who is affected by it? c) How bad is it (extent, severity or magnitude)?
For this part, you should use information such as examples and statistical information. You can include information from the first paper assignment if it is relevant.
3) Analyzing the Problem. 30 pts.
Based on the information presented in the readings explain the possible causes (or contributing factors) of this problem. Briefly explain why the problem is getting better, stays the same, or getting worse. Based on the information contained in the readings, what are the implications for the future? You can include information and use terminology from class lectures and/or the assigned readings and information obtained through your own research. Always remember to support your arguments with relevant evidence (facts). For example, if you argue that the problem is getting better, you must document it using relevant statistics and/or testimonies from experts or the people affected that show the change in the problem over time.
4) Applying Theoretical Concepts. 30 pts.
Employ the concepts of global citizens and global social movements to discuss the role that international organizations and individuals (like yourself) can play to solve this specific problem (or to make it less severe). To receive full credit you must find at least one INGO that is already working on this problem in this country.
5) Communication, Organization, Bibliography, Grammar, 10 pts.
To receive credit you must acknowledge all sources of information you have used for this paper (for example, quotes or statistics from the PowerPoint lectures, textbook, newspapers) in the body of your paper as well as in the bibliographysection at the end of your paper. Since it is a very short paper, I don’t expect you to use many (if any) quotes (they should be less than 20 percent of your paper). Any form of plagiarism will be penalized by a score of zero. You must use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation in your paper to receive full credit. Make sure to use paragraphs to organize the content into logical units.
You will not receive credit for using online encyclopedias (Wikipedia, etc.) and personal blogs as your source(s) of information.
You will be graded based on the basis of your describing the problem (using pertinent information), understanding of the concepts, ability to properly apply concepts and theories to real life examples, paper organization, as well as effective communication of ideas, proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
