drug abuse

Paper instructions:
This project is designed to help students apply the ideas from Joel Best’s book, Social Problems, to a social Issue/problem of interest. You will be tracking one problem (of your choice) through the multi-stage social problems process discussed in your text and here diagrammed by Best.

FIG11.1_SP2E_CH11.jpgThis diagram will serve as a guide to the development of your paper. The finished project will be organized with the following sections: an Introduction, Claims, Media Coverage, Public Reactions, Policymaking, Social Problems Work, Policy Outcomes, a Conclusion, and a Bibliography of works cited. Each section should be at least 2-3 pages (with the exception of the Conclusion and Bibliography both of which may be shorter). Your paper is to be documented with the APA format.

I realize this seems a daunting task at the beginning of the course, however it should “fall into place” and hopefully you will gain/learn a great deal.

To begin, choose a troubling social condition/issue which interests you. Your selection must be sufficiently well established that you can find ample discussions and writings in different settings. For example, you should be able to find some scientific research, media coverage and some political debate relating to your chosen condition.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS TOPIC

These questions will help guide you in your research and ultimately your final paper.

1. What individuals, groups, categories, or classes are claiming the condition is a problem? What beliefs, values, goals, or interests are motivating these claims?

2. What individuals, groups, categories, or classes are opposing such claims? What beliefs, values, goals, or interests motivate this opposition?

3. Where on the political spectrum do the individuals, groups, categories, or classes claiming a social problem exists fall? Are they liberal, conservative, or somewhere in between? What about those who oppose their claim?

4. What are the major claims and arguments made by the groups seeking to have the condition defined as social problem? What about those who oppose them? What facts do they present? How do they seek to motivate people to take action? What actions are they seeking? What rhetorical and propaganda techniques do they use? Overall, do their arguments seem valid?

5. What tactics and techniques do the groups involved employ? How do they get their message out? How do they make use of the mass media? What resources do they have at their disposal to help in getting their message out?

6. What were the outcomes or what are the likely outcomes? Who won? What, if anything, changed? What are the likely long-term consequences of this social and/or political event?

This project is due 18 Dec 2013 by 11:59 PM. However, I have also scheduled deadlines for optional “rough drafts” of the parts of your project. You are not required to send me drafts, but if you do I will make suggestions, if needed, to improve your work.

I would start compiling an annotated bibliography that lists sources of information on your topic. You should consider media sources, databases, government web pages, political web pages, etc. Just be sure to find different perspectives on the condition. Your goal is to get a sense of what is “out there.”

As we move through the semester, you will add and subtract from this bibliography. Be sure to keep an electronic copy of your list of sources since you will be making modifications throughout the semester.

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