Learning Objectives
Students will identify sociological concepts, principles, and theoretical perspectives by reading, remembering, and understanding information presented regarding the issue of poverty.
Students will apply their understanding of the issues of poverty by explaining, analyzing, and comparing and contrasting the various points of view presented.
Students will evaluate each side of the argument and will critique and evaluate each position.
Students will create strategies for alleviating the effects of poverty in our society through the use of their sociological imagination.
Assignment:
There are very distinct views regarding the “blame” for poverty in the United States. After reading pages 2175-407 in your text, summarize in your own words the views of poverty that are presented. Some people feel that the poor themselves are to “blame” for their situation. Others believe that society itself contributes to a “culture” of poverty.
Evaluate both of these points of view.
State the key positions taken by each perspective.
Explain the ways in which these views differ, and use specific examples to substantiate each position.
Compare and contrast the main positions taken by each side.
What evidence suggests that the poor are responsible for poverty? Identify and evaluate at least three specific examples of the ways in which the poor are blamed for their situation.
What evidence suggests that society as a whole is responsible for poverty? Identify and evaluate at least three specific examples of ways in which society is blamed for poverty in the U.S.
Which side of the debate do you find more convincing? As you analyze each position, which of the two is most likely to explain the responsibility for poverty? Justify your position.
Use specific examples to support your position.
Develop a strategy to alleviate poverty in the United States based on which side of the argument explains why you believe where responsibility lies. Create at least three different plans for reducing the rate of poverty in our society.
This paper is due by 11:59 pm on Thursday, October 24, 2013.
Grading Rubric Poverty Paper
To earn an A:
Paper is DS, 12 font
Paper is stapled
Key positions for each side of the argument are clearly articulated
At least three examples of each position are included
Comparison and contrast of the positions are clearly indicated using at least three examples
Evidence supporting “society is to blame” position includes at least three examples
Evidence supporting “the poor are to blame” position includes at least three examples
Your position is clearly defined with at least three examples cited for support
Strategy for alleviating poverty is clearly defined with at least three strong recommendations cited
Works cited page is included
One or two minor spelling or grammatical errors present
To earn a C:
Paper is DS, 12 font
Paper is not stapled
Key positions for each side of the argument are present but not clearly articulated
Two or three examples of each position are included
Comparison and contrast of the positions are clearly indicated using at only two or three examples
Evidence supporting “society is to blame” position includes at only two or three examples; examples weak
Evidence supporting “the poor are to blame” position includes two or three examples; examples weak
Your position is not as clearly defined with two or three examples cited for support that are not strongly articulated
Strategy for alleviating poverty is not clearly defined with only two or three recommendations cited; recommendations may be weak
Works cited page is included
Three or four minor spelling or grammatical errors present
To earn a D/F
Paper is either/or not typed, stapled, or 12 font
Key positions for each side of the argument are not present ; examples missing; comparison and contrast missing
Evidence supporting “society is to blame” position includes at only one or two or examples; examples weak or missing
Evidence supporting “the poor are to blame” position includes only one two examples; examples weak or missing
Your position is not as clearly defined or only one or two examples cited for support that are not strongly articulated or missing
Strategy for alleviating poverty is not clearly defined with only one or two recommendations cited; recommendations may be weak or missing
Works cited page is not included
More than four minor spelling or grammatical errors present
More than four spelling or grammatical errors
