Socl 3150 The Family: Final paper Instructions Due Date: Friday July 15 by 5:00pm. You will turn it in on Blackboard. Go to the course Blackboard menu item “Final Paper Assignment” and click on “Submit Final Paper”. You will upload the paper from your computer to Blackboard. Description: You will write a 3-page paper on one of the topics below: Option #1Students will analyze one film or one TV program dealing with relationships, marriage or family issues. You are to discuss the way individuals, families and/or plot lines are portrayed in regard to course material. How does the film relate to classroom readings and discussions? You should focus on one area of course content. For example, you may examine how the show The Simpsons portrays gender roles and division of household labor. Perhaps, you want to examine the film Finding Dori and how the film defines family and the functions of family and how that mirrors (or does not mirror) course materials.The paper should not be a plot summary or description of the film. Discuss the plot or characters only in relation to how they compare to course materials. Do not plagiarize. There are a lot of websites that summarize and critique movie/TV plots. You will receive a minimum of a zero grade on the assignment if I catch you using wording/ideas from a website. Use your own ideas and keep in mind that this paper is about demonstrating course material – so focus on course material. Option #2: Find an article from a newspaper, magazine, or website (NOT academic journal articles) that gives relationship advice (romantic relationships or other family relationships). You might consider a “Dear Abby” column or parenting blog. Discuss the advice in terms of the information we learned this semester. Does the advice reflect common norms about relationships/parenting? Does it stigmatize socially unwanted behavior? Does the advice reflect course concepts such as definitions of the family, gender roles, discrimination faced by impoverished or minority families, etc. Relate the advice to any part of course material. Do not make the paper merely a description of the advice. Discuss how the advice demonstrates (or does not demonstrate) course material. Option #3: You will apply course materials to your observations and/or experiences of family, parenting or intimate relationships on a social media. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tubmblr and/or Snapchat are all good options. Apply some specific aspect of family (in other words don’t try to apply everything you learned) to one social media (do not try to apply course material to more than one). Some examples could include examining how people construct their family (how its define, family roles and responsibilities, etc.) through their facebook photos and posting. You might look how gender roles and sexuality are portrayed and maintained on snap chat. If you want to interview people who have used these social media, you may add that (although it is not required). You will be graded on how well you relate what you see on the social media to course material. Paper Content and Structure (it should contain the following sections in order): 1. Introduction (1-2 paragraphs) a. Describe the topic your paper is exploring b. Tell the reader very briefly what type of course material you ended up applying/discussing. c. Give a thesis statement. Ultimately, your paper should say something about the applicability of course material. Did course material apply or not? How much and in what way? 2. Background (1 paragraph) Give a brief description of the film/TV show, advice/blog, or your social media. This should only take up a paragraph or two. Use your own words. Also describe why you chose this option/film/show/media/etc. 3. Body of paper (2 pages) Detail how the course materials applies to your social media/film/TV show/advice column. Describe the course material (assume your audience knows nothing about the course) and give specific examples of how it does or does not reflect course material. 4. Conclusion (1-2 paragraphs) Reflect back on your thesis – summarizing how it did or did not reflect course materials and in what way. In this section you can give your final thoughts or opinions about your findings. Do you like the film/TV show’s portrayal? Do you now think differently about your own family? Would you change anything? Format: • Typed • Double-spaced • 1 inch margins • 12-point font • Name, course title, date on top right corner • No cover page • Approximately 3 pages in length
