Analyzing a Social Issue Paper(CSWE Core Competency 2,3,6,7,8,9)
This is the culminating assignment for this semester. In this assignment, students use multiple theoretical frameworks to analyze a complex social issue. This assignment provides students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge as well as cognitive and affective processes as they pertain to the following course objectives:
Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge to facilitate engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation of practice with clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. (CSWE Competency 6,7,8,9)
Social workers understand how diversity and difference characterize and shape the human experience and are critical to the formation of identity. (CSWE Competency 2)
Social workers understand the global interconnections of oppression and human rights violations and are knowledgeable about theories of human need and social justice and strategies to promote social and economic justice and human rights. (CSWE Competency 3)
Students will compose a 5-8 (maximum) page paper showing an ability to apply the multidimensional approach (person, environment, and time dimensions) and two theoretical perspectives to a specific social issue. Note that the page limit does not include the cover and reference page. APA guidelines for formatting (e.g., title page, headers, etc.), citations, and references should be followed. Paper must reference the Hutchinson text and include at least five sources; however, two must be scholarly (peer-reviewed or research) journal articles. Content from class lectures and/or readings included in the paper should be appropriately cited and referenced.
-Introduction-
A clear introduction in which the paper’s purpose is presented.
Overview of the social issue.
Discuss how the social issue affects groups and communities. Include potential disparities among the populations.
Apply dimensions of person, environment and time when discussing the social issue.
-Application of Theoretical Perspectives-
Apply two theoretical perspectives to the social issue.
Discuss the major ideas inherent in the selected theoretical perspectives.
Discuss how each perspective may facilitate engagement and intervention of practice with groups, communities, and organizations. *Tip: Reference Hutchison Chapter 2 in this section.
-Critical Evaluation of Theoretical Perspectives-
Critical analysis of the relative strengths and weaknesses of each of the selected theoretical perspectives as it pertains to engagement and intervention of practice with groups, communities, and organizations. *Tip: Reference Hutchison Chapter 2 in this section.
Critical analysis of the relative strengths and weaknesses of each of the selected theoretical perspectives as it pertains to informing social work practice strategies that promote social and economic justice and human rights. *Tip: Reference Hutchison Chapter 2 in this section.
-Critical Self-Reflection and Conclusion-
What was learned from this exercise? Through this analysis, what insight did you gain into this social issue?
Conclusions
-References- A total of 5, I have provided 3
-1. Prina, F., & Schatz-Stevens, J. N. (2020). Sexism and Rape Myth Acceptance: The Impact of Culture, Education, and Religiosity. Psychological Reports, 123(3).
1. summary- The article by Prina and Schatz-Stevens (2020) explores the relationship between sexism, rape myth acceptance, and factors such as culture, education, and religiosity. It highlights how cultural attitudes and levels of education influence individuals’ acceptance of rape myths, while religiosity also plays a significant role in shaping these beliefs. Overall, the study suggests that interventions should consider cultural and educational contexts to effectively challenge and change harmful beliefs surrounding rape.
-2. Powell, A., & Webster, K. (2018). Cultures of gendered violence: An integrative review of measures of attitudinal support for violence against women. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology (Sage Publications Ltd.), 51(1).
2.summary- In this article various cultural factors that contribute to gendered violence and analyze how different measurement tools capture societal attitudes toward this issue are explored. The authors highlight the significance of understanding these attitudes in the context of prevention and intervention strategies. They call for the development of more comprehensive and culturally sensitive measures to better address and combat violence against women in various societal contexts.
-Hutchison, E. D. and Charlesworth, L.W. (2024). Dimensions of Human Behavior: Person and Environment (7th Edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.