Part One: Critical Thinking Paper In a five-page paper, apply critical thinking to a selected socia ...
Part One: Critical Thinking Paper In a five-page paper, apply critical thinking to a selected social issue (Child Poverty). While students will be divided by topic, this is NOT a group assignment. You are free to discuss your topic with the classmates also assigned to your topic (not required) but each student will submit an individual, 5-page paper. In this paper, you will demonstrate effective written in analyzing a social problem and the policies designed to address it. You should follow the critical thinking approach discussed in class and in the Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking. Written Argument Your paper should provide a well-evidenced critical argument following this outline: Define the social problem: document the magnitude (number affected) and scope (who is affected) of the issue to explain why your chosen issue is a “social problem”. Historical Ideologies: explain how two historical ideologies from this list (U.S. exceptionalism, Individualism, Independence, Protestant Work Ethic, self-reliance, upward mobility, and equal opportunity) described in Jimenez, Chapter 3 (available on Blackboard) Current Social Policies: describe two current social policies designed to address the issue. Policy Recommendations: If we are to fulfill social work’s social justice mission, what sort of social policy approach (i.e., laws, programs, budgetary allocations) is needed to address this social problem? Provide your best policy recommendation to address your social problem. influenced the extent to which America has treated your selected social issue as a social problem. Sources Your paper must include a minimum of 5 outside sources. Additionally, you should cite the course textbook, the NASW Code of Ethics, the Jimenez textbook, and possibly other Blackboard readings. However, these required texts do not count towards the five outside sources. Formatting and Style The paper should include a title and reference page, as well as headings and sub-headings (as indicated in the phrases in bold in the Written Argument section) and be written in 3rd person. Follow APA 7th edition for formatting and style. Your paper should demonstrate your ability to distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including research-based knowledge, and practice wisdom, as you lay out your critical thinking argument. Part Two: Oral Argument Overview After completing your paper, summarize your arguments into an oral presentation. Imagine you are providing expert testimony to a legislative committee at the state or federal level about your social problem. Your presentation should highlight the impact of the social problem and discuss both the strengths and limitations of policy alternatives. Content Requirements Research Summary: Briefly summarize key findings from your research, including the magnitude and scope of the problem and current programs addressing it. Policy Recommendation: Conclude with a clear statement advocating for specific policy action. Social Justice Alignment: Explain why and how your policy approach aligns with the pursuit of social justice. Presentation Guidelines Organization and Delivery: Your argument should be well-organized, convincing, and confidently delivered. Duration: Aim for a 3-5 minute presentation. Visibility: You must be visible in your video. Failure to do so will result in an automatic deduction of one point. Preparation: Think through potential questions and address possible counterarguments. Notes: You may use paper notes, a computer, or a tablet, but do not read directly from them. Use them as prompts to highlight important information. Peer Interaction Watch and Comment: You are required to watch and comment on at least 6 classmates' videos. Suggested Questions for Comments: What are the strengths of your classmate's argument? Are there any areas where you think the argument could be improved or clarified? How well did your classmate address counterarguments? Did your classmate provide clear and compelling evidence for their conclusions? How effectively did your classmate connect their policy recommendation to the pursuit of social justice? Assessment Criteria Refer to the rubric for specific grading criteria.
