SOC 1167 WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT (Journal Article/Critical Analysis) Worth 25% of your Final Grade
This assignment requires each student to answer one of the following research questions through:
1. Summarizing and critiquing an academic sociological journal article.
2. Discussing sociological concepts, theories, and social trends.
List of 6 Research Questions: Students must select one of the following research questions:
1. Health Care and/or Housing (Chapter 7 & Chapter 11): From a cross-cultural perspective compare Canada’s health care (or housing) policies/outcomes to those of another country and make recommendations for improving the health care/housing of Canadian seniors. OR From a subculture perspective examine the health care (or housing) needs of seniors from a particular Canadian subculture and make recommendations for improving the health care/housing of this subgroup of Canadian seniors.
2. Finances and Economics (Chapter 8): From a cross-cultural perspective compare Canada’s pension policies/outcomes to those of another country and make recommendations for improving the income security of Canadian seniors. OR From a subculture perspective examine the financial needs of seniors from a particular Canadian subculture and make recommendations for improving the financial status of this subgroup of Canadian seniors.
3. Retirement and Work (Chapter 9): From a cross-cultural perspective compare Canada’s retirement/work policies/outcomes to those of another country and make recommendations for improving the retirement/work options of Canadian seniors. OR From a subculture perspective examine the retirement/work needs of seniors from a particular Canadian subculture and make recommendations for improving the retirement/work options of this subgroup of Canadian seniors.
4. Leisure and Recreation (Chapter 10): From a cross-cultural perspective compare Canada’s leisure/recreation policies/outcomes to those of another country and make recommendations for improving the leisure/recreation options of Canadian seniors. OR From a subculture perspective examine the leisure/recreation needs of seniors from a particular Canadian subculture and make recommendations for improving the leisure/recreation options of this subgroup of Canadian seniors.
5. Family Life &/or Social Support (Chapter 12 & 13): From a cross-cultural perspective compare Canada’s family support policies/outcomes to those of another country and make recommendations for improving the social support of Canadian seniors. OR From a subculture perspective examine the family support needs of seniors from a particular Canadian subculture and make recommendations for improving the social support of this subgroup of Canadian seniors.
6. Death and Dying (Chapter 14): From a cross-cultural perspective compare Canada’s death/ dying policies/practices to those of another country and make recommendations for improving this practice for Canadian seniors. OR From a subculture perspective examine the death/dying traditions of a particular Canadian subculture and make recommendations for improving the practices of this subgroup of Canadian seniors.
Written Assignment: Required Sources
Sources:
You are expected to make use of 3 different sources:
1. One sociological journal article from a reputable academic source published in the last 10 years and a minimum of 3 pages in length. This article should serve as the primary basis for your paper.
2. Your course textbook, which will provide you with the sociological concepts and theories that you will need to use when answering your research question.
3. A current article from popular media (newspaper, magazine, or the internet) published within the last year that discusses current sociological trends relevant to your research question.
**The sociological journal article and current article from popular media must be accessible through a working link or URL**
Note that you may not find the perfect article that addresses all points of your research question, such as a cross-cultural comparison of your topic. However, by combining your textbook and the popular media together with your article, may provide you with the necessary information for a cross-cultural comparison.

Assignment Guidelines:
The expected page length for your paper is 4-5 pages (double-spaced and not including title page and references). In those pages you must do the following:
1. Summarize the sociological journal article (1-2 pages or 275-550 words)
• Using your academic, peer reviewed journal article, which addresses your research question, begin your summary with a brief introduction. Then, address the following questions in your own words: What was the purpose of the article? How does the author situate their research in the context of others who have written about this topic? What is the author arguing? What are the main points of the author’s argument? This may involve going beyond the stated facts and seeing the whole picture or thesis. For example, Durkheim’s study on suicide is not just about comparing suicide rates between Catholics and Protestants, but it is on how one’s social context influences individual behavior.
2. Critically Analyze the sociological journal article (1-2 pages or 275-500 words) Address the following sections:
• Evidence. Analyzing an article involves looking at the nature of the evidence. The evidence used may be scientific/scholarly (refer to your textbook or notes for guidance here) or non-scientific/anecdotal (refer to your textbook or notes). Make sure that you clearly state and describe the evidence being used to make the author’s argument.
• Point of View/Perspective. All social scientists have a point of view or perspective. It may be stated explicitly, or it may be implied by their argument. One way to identify their point of view or perspective is to consider the following: What is their level of analysis (e.g. macro/micro)? What theoretical approach has the author taken (e.g. social conflict, structural-functionalist, symbolic-interactionist)? Keep in mind that a point of view/perspective is not the same as a hypothesis or a thesis. Nor is it the same as a bias, which implies looking at an event solely from one point of view. All perspectives have their shortcomings; they allow us to ‘see’ certain aspects of social life whilst being ‘blind’ to others.
• Strengths and Weaknesses. Consider the research methodology used and its inherent strengths and weaknesses. Was any empirical evidence presented; was it collected by the author or other social scientists; did it adequately support the author’s conclusions? Consider the author’s assumptions, was it reasonable? Consider the author’s bias, point of view, or theoretical perspective; was it fair and reasonably objective; did it adequately explain the research question? Be sure to clearly describe both the strengths and weaknesses of your article. Did the article succeed in achieving its overall purpose or add to the body of knowledge for this particular issue?
• Do you agree or disagree with the author? Why or why not? Here is your chance to give your perspective on the research. Be sure to clearly describe your point of view and your reasons for that position.

3. Sociological Theory & Social Issues/Trends (1-2 pages, or 275-550 words)
• You are expected to demonstrate your understanding of the broader issues represented by your research question and article. You will begin this by:
a. Applying a sociological theory (the one that best fits in explaining your journal article and the social issue being considered) to your research.
b. Discuss social trends and current events within Canada or the global community that apply to your research question. Here you will integrate the current article from popular media (be sure to provide enough content here by summarizing the article and explaining how it ties into your journal article and broader social issue).
Numbers 1, 2 and 3 should appear as subheadings in your paper. You may or may not include and introduction and conclusion. I recommend doing so for the sake of practice, but it is not mandatory.
* See the student sample assignment(s) on Canvas for a better idea of the length & format of the written assignment
Submission Guidelines:
• Your written work must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 4, 2022.
• Please submit your assignment in Canvas using the drop box located under the “Major Assignment Information” module.
• Be aware that once you have uploaded your written work to Canvas it will automatically be submitted to Turnitin.com to check for plagiarism

List of Possible Errors for Sociology 1167
Below is a list of possible errors that can significantly affect your grade on the written assignment. If you have carefully read the assignment guidelines, these errors can easily be avoided.
• Do not let this list intimidate you; instead, use the checklist on page two to ensure your written assignment does not contain any of the deplorable errors.
• If you have left your assignment to the last minute, this list will clarify the consequences of taking shortcuts.
Error Consequence
Malicious Plagiarism (cheating) Automatic failure (0%)
No in-text citations Automatic failure (0%)
No references page Automatic failure (0%)
No valid (peer reviewed) journal article Automatic failure (0%)
Accidental plagiarism Loss of grades (varies, can be significant)
Not addressing the various sections of the assignment (including the specific questions laid out in the assignment guidelines) Loss of grades (varies, can be significant)
Ignorance of APA style Loss of grades (varies, can be significant)
Lack of proper paragraph structure Loss of grades (varies, can be significant)
Under required word count Loss of grades (% under)

Grading Rubric:

Excellent (5 pts) Proficient (4 pts) Satisfactory (3 pts) Below Expectation
(0-2 pt)
Summary of the academic peer reviewed journal
article Identifies the author’s argument, situates the argument in the context of larger questions/issues, and summarizes the main points Identifies the author’s argument and summarizes most of the relevant points Identifies the author’s argument and summarizes some of the relevant points Summary is missing most of the relevant points or is unclear
Critical Analysis of the academic peer reviewed journal
article Identifies the type(s) of evidence used, the main theoretical approach (and if possible, the specific theory), the strengths and weaknesses of the article, and states their own, reasoned, point of view Fairly good attempt at addressing the foregoing Minimal analysis in all four areas, or an in-depth response to one or two areas only Weak or no analysis
Sociological Theory
& Social
Issues/Trends Does a great job of integrating sociological theory, relating the research question to current social issues/trends in Canada and (if applicable) globally Does a fairly good job of the foregoing Makes a minimal effort to integrate sociological theory and relate the research to current social issues/trends Weak or no effort to complete this section
Requirements and
Formatting Fulfills all requirements for the paper along with proper use of APA formatting guidelines Fulfills all requirements for the paper and APA formatting guidelines are mostly adhered to Some stated article requirements are missing and APA formatting guidelines are mostly ignored Stated article requirements are almost entirely unfulfilled and APA formatting guidelines are largely ignored
Organization and
Writing Style The paper is written in clear, formal language, and the argument flows logically The paper is written in fairly clear, formal language, and the argument flows fairly well The writing is unclear and/or informal with little flow The writing is very unclear with very little logical structure
Grade ___/25