What is the social problem?

POLICY RESEARCH PAPER:
Students will be required to write a 6-8 page persuasive research paper that expands on a historical content area of the 13th amendment and relates the historical struggle to current events. The paper should be in APA format, and checked for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax.. Assignment meets Core Competencies: 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 9.2, 9.3

Your policy research paper should include all of the following numbered/bolded questions (you do not need, and may not be able, to answer all the sub-points listed under each of the main sections – use them as a guide):

1) What is your thesis statement what is your argument and what do you want your reader to understand when they are done reading the paper?

2) What is the social problem?
How did the problem become recognized or legitimized?
Who was affected by the problem and how?
Which groups defined or controlled the definition of the problem? Did this change over time?
Whose values and interests seemed to be significant?
What was the role of economics in the social problem?
How widespread was the problem?
What were the causes of the problem?
How important was this problem historically?

3) What was the policy / social response / social movement that affected the social problem?
When and how did the policy/social response/social movement originate (e.g., law, court decision, executive order, etc.).
Who advocated for, supported, the policy / social response / social movement?
Who opposed the policy / social response / social movement?
Why was the policy / social response / social movement created?
How was the policy / social response / social movement intended to work?
Who was covered by the policy / social response / social movement and what were the inclusion criteria?
What were the intended short and long-term goals and outcomes of the policy / social response / social movement?
Were there hidden agendas?
Did the policy / social response / social movement threaten fundamental social values?
Was the policy / social response / social movement compatible with the social/political/economic climate of the time?
What was the general public opinion toward the policy / social response / social movement?
Who benefited from the policy / social response / social movement?
Who (if anyone or any group) was hurt by the policy / social response / social movement?
Did the policy / social response / social movement accomplish its goals?
Were there any negative consequences related to the policy / social response / social movement?
Were there alternative policy / social response / social movement that would have been preferable?
What role did social work play in the development of the policy / social response / social movement?

4) What is the current state of this historical social problem?
Does this social problem still exist?
What is different about the social problem today?
Is the population impacted by the social problem different?
What values underlie the social problem today? Are they different from the values of the past?
What are the current policy / social responses / social movements that are related to this social problem?

FORMAT FOR OUTLINE:

* Introduction (thesis statement in bold)
* Historical background
* Talking point #1 Value and Stakeholders
* Talking point #2 Political Discourse
* Conclusion

Introductory paragraph: First impressions are so important. How many times have you heard that? It is true that the first impression whether its a first meeting with a person or the first sentence of a paper sets the stage for a lasting opinion. The introductory paragraph of any paper, long or short, should start with a sentence that piques the interest of your readers. In a well-constructed first paragraph, that first sentence will lead into three or four sentences that provide details about the subject or your process you will address in the body of your paper. These sentences should also set the stage for your thesis statement, which is generally the last sentence of your introductory paragraph.

In summary, your introductory paragraph should contain the following:
* An attention-grabbing first sentence
* Informative sentences that build to your thesis statement
* The thesis statement, which makes a claim or states a view that you will support or build upon

Thesis statement: Some points for a good thesis statement are: (i) A good thesis statement should be specificit should cover only what will be discussed in a paper and should be supported with specific evidence, (ii) The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper, and (iii) A thesis statement should be revised once a paper is written to reflect exactly what was discussed within.
Example of an analytical thesis statement:
An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds.

The paper that follows should:
* Explain the analysis of the college admission process
* Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

BIBLIOGRAPHY REQUIREMENTS:

* Literature to be used – minimum of 6 references (2 books, 3 scholarly articles, and 1 research- worthy website (a website associated with a university, professional association, or research institute). Note: For each reference utilized, students should provide an annotation of their source
* NO WIKIPEDIA SOURCES
* References must be approved before being utilized in your paper
* All internet sources MUST be pre-approved before incorporation into final paper (ANY
SOURCES NOT PRE-APPROVED WILL NOT COUNT TOWARDS THE REQUIRED
REFERENCES
* Do not use popular magazines, newspaper articles, encyclopedias, or the course textbook as references. Please rely strictly on academic journals and resources for references.
* Outline of talking points

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