Defining real-life social problems
When it comes to many of the problems you struggle with on a daily basis (such as car repairs, paying bills, or shopping on a budget) you might not think of the larger social forces at hand that contribute to these problems.
What do you think most people think about when it comes to the problems they are constantly struggling with?
Do they see these as personal problems or socially constructed issues?
How should you go about this assignment?
To complete this project you will:
Interview any two people of your choice on what issue they see as a social problem.
In the interview ask your participants for ideas on how to solve a social problem
Compare and contrast your interviews ideas
Explain how your interviewees' responses could be shaped by American cultural attitudes and behaviors (for example, individualism, personal liberties, and consumerism) as well different social institutions (for example, politics, economics, religion, gender, the family)?
Use at least three term concepts from the reading to support your analysis. Compile your findings in a 500-750 word essay and submit in the Dropbox.
What should you ask your participants?
Feel free to ask whatever questions you like in your interviews that address the topic. But here are some sample questions to get you started:
What do you think is one of the biggest problems facing society today?
Is this social problem harmful to society? If so how?
How did this issue become a social problem?
How do you think we can fix this social problem?
What should you include in your written assignment?
In your 500-750 word essay please include:
A complete introduction that provides details of persons interviewed and fully identifies a social problem
The body fully addresses and includes:
Description of what issue the participants see as a social problem
Direct quotations from the interview respondents
Solutions to the social problem
Compares and contrasts interviews' ideas
Three term concepts from the reading
A conclusion that fully explains how participants responses could be shaped by American cultural attitudes and behaviors and social institutions
Sample Questions:
What do you think is one of the biggest problems facing society today?
Is this social problem harmful to society? If so how?
How did this issue become a social problem?
How do you think we can fix this social problem?