1. Select a contemporary social issue (a topic for your paper) to research and to view from the perspective of a sociological paradigm. *Examples of topics below
2. Papers must be 3-4 pages, 12 pt. double-spaced.
3. Papers must include one paradigm, use only one of the 3 main theories to apply to your topic (conflict theory, functionalism, or interactionism). Discuss it directly and apply it thoroughly!
4. Paper structure: Introduction, Body of Paper (where you discuss your research findings and apply your theory), and Conclusion. Be sure to use sociological terms from this course to discuss your topic!
5. Papers must include at least 5 resources from: books, academic articles, or sociological journals
6. Papers must include MLA or APA in-text citations and a Works Cited list (alphabetized!).

There are many topics you can consider for your paper. You may find that your topic is very general and you will then need to narrow it down. Some topics could include:

Gun control, media perceptions, cyber bullying, sexual harassment, the death penalty, undocumented workers, New Jim Crow, gender exploitation, social media, police corruption, gambling in athletics, cheating in academic settings, relationships, homelessness, crossing borders, white privilege, driving while Black/Brown, juvenile delinquency, environmental racism, LGBTQ+ rights, whistle blowers, unnecessary surgery (medical sociology)

Instructions: Consider the different views of happiness discussed in Chapter 12, including Hedonism, Epicureanism, Stoicism, and Buddhism. Which of these views of happiness seems most life-denying? Which seems most life-affirming? Explain your reasoning in each case.

Review “Strategies for Dealing with Death” (Chapter 14) and “Hedonism,” “Epicureanism,” “Stoicism,” and “Buddhism” (Chapter 12).

Writing Requirements:

• Length must meet at minimum three (3) pages.
  • Please note: The full length of written content MUST be three pages long, not including any author information (such as written in the upper right by MLA style)
• Provide three (3) sources for your entry minimum.
  • Wikipedia and other non-academic websites will not be accepted for this criteria.
  • Acceptable sources may be located from the following:
    • their textbook
    • Academic and scholarly journals
    • smarthistory.org
    • Museum websites – such as those linked on this page: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/museums-us.html
  • The sources above are merely suggestions of where credible sources could be found, and should not be mistaken as always acceptable. Please use proper academic discretion to determine if your source is appropriate. If you have any questions regarding this, please review this website: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/553/01/ (Links to an external site.) or speak with your local librarian.
• Cite academic articles, books, or other research at sources of your conclusions.
  • Citations may be written in APA or MLA style. Refer to the Ivy Tech Writing Guide for examples of citations commonly used.
  • In-text citations and a full resource(s) citation must be included.
  • See the citation resources in “Resources” area for information specific to art citations.
• Thoroughly address all aspects of the prompt.
• Use proper terminology as presented in the textbook.

Plagiarism: Please review the syllabus statement regarding academic honesty and plagiarism.

The information you provided in your PowerPoint presentation on Threats to the Global Environment has led to productive debates at the United Nations General Assembly! Hence, they are now asking you to create an additional analysis report to respond to the issues raised in these debates.

Your fourth project as a consultant for the United Nations is to develop a report that addresses the issues raised by some of the member states of the United Nations.

Step I. Consider the Issues

In Assignment 3a, you were asked to create a PowerPoint identifying the four most critical threats out of eight threats provided in the table below.

There are four remaining threats that you did not discuss in your PowerPoint. This assignment will focus on those four. Here are the specific tasks you will complete:

• Review the remaining four threats that you did not use in Assignment 3a.
• Pick two of the four to focus on in Assignment 3b.
• Identify the reasons why you think these two threats are less critical than the four threats you chose for your PowerPoint presentation.

This week, as the first step of your Course Project, you select and analyze a social issue. The main goals of your analysis are to develop a problem statement, address the “heart” or “root” of the issue, describe the situation as it looks today, and explain why this social issue is important to investigate.

There are numerous social issues that prompt attention today and that directly or indirectly impact both small and large populations. These include issues as diverse as animal rights, euthanasia, the gender wage gap, intimate partner violence, access to health care, disability rights, detention of unaccompanied migrant children, and veterans rights, to name but a few.

As you consider a social issue on which to focus, keep in mind that you will be researching and writing about the social issue throughout the remainder of the course. An objective of this project is to build a well-researched foundation on which you might pursue further involvement. For that reason, you are encouraged to select an issue about which you have genuine concern and interest. Is there a social issue that has impacted you or a family member personally? Are there inequities that impact your life or the lives of others in your community? Are there global concerns that resonate strongly with you? Personal passion and connection to an issue often fuels the kind of committed action that attracts participants and achieves objectives. For this project, select an issue that you genuinely care about.