Social Issue Essay (Teen Based)

I would prefer the topic to be teen based because I am a dual enrollment high school / college student. This paper is for my college sociology class. (You are free to choose the topic. Could be something such as gun violence or mental health in teens etc.) Please see below details for the paper requirements and attached rubric.

Sociological research is required to understand and address social issues, problems and controversies. By conducting sociological research, we seek to understand the social forces, structures, and processes that impact individuals and groups within the social system. In a 5-7 page essay, you are to write an academic research paper which MUST be organized around answering the following themes:

1.) Identify and explain an important social issue facing our society. Why is the issue problematic, interesting, or controversial? What are the relevant facts? Provide data.

2.) Using sociological concepts, identify the primary features of the social issue that provide context to the social issue you chose to examine. What sociological concepts and themes provide us the most explanatory power (e.g. class, ethnicity, deviance, social control, gender, in group- out group conflict, etc.) in understanding the complexity of the social issue? In short, in your judgment, what are we required to consider to harness a good understanding of the social issue required for potential solutions? Explain the issue through the concepts and themes as you use them, be specific.

3.) Examine the social issue through the interpretive lens of TWO sociological theories (functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interaction, feminist theory). How do these two theories of sociology enlighten us regarding the causes and substance of the social issue you are considering in this paper? Explain the similarities and differences in these theoretical interpretations. Which theory best explains the causes, effects and substance of the social issue?

4. Conclude by providing an assessment of your research: Are we as a society effectively aware of and able to deal with the social issue? As a researcher, what would you recommend us to consider to effectively address the social issue?

These four key points must be addressed in the essay. This essay is expected to be double-spaced, written in a 12-point font, and utilize appropriate margins. Its length must be at least five full pages but no more than seven full pages. Each essay must follow an acceptable academic format containing an introductory paragraph with thesis statement, coherently organized body paragraphs providing evidence supporting your thesis, and a concluding paragraph that summarizes your reasoning provided in the essay. The essay is also to have a proper APA citation format utilized for referencing source materials. Good essays show your ability to creatively utilize independent intellectual skill in applying course material to original academic work.

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