Each student will submit a 5-6 page research paper on a controversial topic/issue. You may choose your own topic (with instructor approval) or choose a sample topic from the list below. It will likely be a more impactful experience if you pick a topic you are interested in learning more about. Your paper should reflect your understanding of multiple perspectives of the issue and should conclude with a statement that reflects your understanding of how our society attempts to intervene to resolve the areas of conflict.
1. Begin with a historical overview of your selected topic/issue.
2. Provide a description of who is affected by the issue (individuals, groups, communities) and how they are affected
3. Describe what stereotypes, attitudes, and potential misunderstandings contribute to the issue. How do these affect implicit bias and institutional discrimination? Is the problem of social construction? If so, what factors contribute to its construction? How might biases contributing to the issue be deconstructed? Be sure to discuss underlying assumptions: whose problem is it? (e.g., the view of poverty has varied throughout history from a moral to a social problem)
4. Discuss multiple perspectives on the issue. Why is their debate surrounding the issue? How might the issue be looked at from functional and conflict perspectives? How do you feel about the issue?
5. Conclude with a summary of the factors contributing to the issue and ways they are currently being addressed. You should explore some potential modified or new solutions and identify areas recommended for further research
6. A reference list that includes at least 5 journal articles from peer-reviewed social work journals (you can use some from your group project list). This list and your references in the text to these articles must be in APA style. You may also use web sites and other sources of information.