Use at least 3 developmental/ecological theories from the semester (Erikson; Bronfenbrenner; at least one other) to analyze the life-history of a role model of your choosing. Extrapolate from what you have learned from this role model's life-history, to suggest at least one strategy that might be broadly implemented, either to address or to prevent problems, in other people's lives.
1. Identify a person you regard as a role model, in a way that is consonant with your understanding of social justice. Confirm that this person is willing and able to participate in this project on an appropriate timetable. Conduct a series of in-depth, life-cycle interviews with this person. Tape/digitally record and transcribe the interview. (I will provide a sample Informed Consent from and Interview Guide, and will discuss organization of and preparation for interviewing and transcribing.)
2. Analyze the data and write the paper in sections as follows:
a. Introduce your role model to the reader. Briefly sketch the contours of his/her life cycle, describe what makes him/her a role model for you, and how his/her "role model-hood" is related to social justice.
b. Identify three aspects (theories) of course material as a basis for analyzing and understanding your role model (Erikson; Bronfenbrenner; one other). Demonstrate mastery of the course material (of each theory) in its own terms. Identify either Erikson's life-cycle theory of psychosocial development or Bronfenbrenner's theory of ecological development as your primary basis for understanding your chosen problem. Demonstrate mastery of this theory's principles and premises. Describe the theory in your own words, showing the instructor that you understand what it says, what it attempts to explain, what its central elements are (as discussed in class and in assigned readings), and what it tells us about human behavior and the social environment).
c. In detail, discuss your role model's life-history in terms of each of the three theories you've chosen.
d. Use each of your theories to explain both how your role model lives the life, now, that makes him/her a role model in your view, and also how he/she became such a role model.
e. Suggest a simple, development-based or ecology-based intervention or strategy that could, if implemented, enable others to move toward "role model-hood" as connected to social justice, as this individual has done.
1. Discuss, in writing, the process of doing this project. This section should include discussion of project progress over the course of intermediate assignments. Include in your process discussion a description of the technologies (both high and low) you used, and the strengths and weaknesses, for you, of these technologies. Also include in your own strengths and weaknesses in writing this paper.
2. Role model life-histories MUST incorporate appropriate biographical disguises, to protect the privacy of all respondents. (E.g., names must be changed; placed, dates, occupation, and other life detains must be changed if they are likely to enable classmates to identify individual respondents.)