Essay on Social Change

The third, and last, part of the course examines social change from the perspectives of class, race and ethnicity, and gender. Please prepare a 3 to 5 page essay that indicates how you might incorporate the values and perspectives of Social Issues into your future.

Write a short essay that explores how you might become --- or perhaps have already become --- a change-maker. That is, explore how your career and life-style choices might incorporate the service implied by the material of our course. Try to be specific as to a situation or problem that you might take on, how you might approach the problem, what goals you might set for yourself, and what personal skills and capacities you might develop to facilitate this change.

As you reflect on your own values and future, use the readings for insights and examples. Incorporate at least three references from any of the readings, perhaps as examples or even to pose differences or contrasts. Explain in your essay how the course has made you think about your own life-style aspirations and civic responsibility.

Please hand in the essay on social change by 6 P.M. on Monday, May 20. I will be in my office, G-231, before that time. I will be at our class room at 6:00 P.M. to collect the essay and any other material.

Your third essay counts as 15% of your final grade and will be assessed on these criteria.

Depth: The richness of understanding conveyed.
Content: The substance contained, including the referencing of readings

We will discuss this assignment in class on April 30 and May 7. Good luck.