SOC 202Q
From WolfWikis
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Research Project - Sexual Assault on College Campuses
Student Learning Outcomes :Students will develop their sociological perceptive and sociological critical thinking by using qualitative and quantitative evidence to answer empirical questions.
Task Assignment :Students will prepare a wiki and professional presentation in which they use relevant literature and their data analysis modules as evidence to suggest recommendations for changes in the NCSU sexual assault policy or education/prevention programs.
Part I – Policy or Education/Prevention Program Recommendations
In the wikki, your group will either make recommendations for changes in the NCSU sexual assault policy or suggest campus education/prevention programs. This is due by 1:00 p.m. on December 18, 2007. A policy or program recommendation is usually prepared for a group that has the authority to make decisions about a public issue. In this case, your projected audience would be a board of NCSU faculty and staff representatives. Your campus recommendation will provide an in-depth analysis of the issue and justification for a policy or education/prevention recommendation.
Structure for Recommendations using Wikkis
- Introduction: The issue is introduced followed by a very brief description and benefits gained from your recommendation. This introduction should include a clear thesis statement (what you are recommending).
- Analysis: The body your wikki should explain why this issue is important. In this section, your wikki should provide relevant background information, an analysis of options, and the complete details that were considered in arriving at your group’s recommendation. What is the recommendation and why do you propose this as a solution?
- Conclusion: This section should emphasize the benefits of your recommendation and urge the reader or audience to action. It should be encouraging, confident, and assertive in tone.
- References or Works Cited: References should be cited throughout the essay and in alphabetical order in a reference or works cited section.
In general...
Think of this as a problem-solving process – analyzing a situation and recommending a course of action that helps others make a decision. You should convince or persuade the audience that your recommendation would be the best choice. You should write in a clear, concise, and complete (accurate) manner that is easy to read. Your wikki should answer questions about WHAT you are proposing and HOW you plan to do it.
- Identify and clarify the issue
- Research relevant background and context (incorporate Data Analysis Modules and other course readings)
- What has been used in the past? What are the alternatives?
- Select the best recommendation and describe how it would be carried out.
Getting Started
Some questions to ask or consider when you begin organizing your wikki.
I. Introduction
- Introduce issue (sexual assault on college campuses)
- What is your recommendation? (Brief statement)
- What are the benefits of your recommendation? (Brief statement)
II. Analysis
- Why is this issue (sexual assault) important? (Think about the issue in general and then consider the context of college campuses)
- Relevant background information
- What are some of the other options? (What else has been done?)
- What is your recommendation? (Be specific)
- Why and how did you choose your recommendation?
III. Conclusion
- Reemphasize the benefits of your recommendation.
IV. References or Works Cited
Grading Rubric for Recommendations using Wikkis
- Exceptional Mastery (36-40 points): The wiki is complete and synthesizes appropriate material and evidence. The wiki is structured such that an introduction, body, and conclusion can be identified. The topic is clearly stated with relevant background information about sexual assault on college campuses. Overall, the structure is complete, clear, and easy to follow. The recommendation in the wiki demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the sociological imagination. The ideas extend the class materials and include an evaluation of arguments. The wiki is thought provoking, insightful, and supported with specific evidence. The wiki is written in complete sentences and with proper grammar.
- Excellent (32-35 points): The wiki is mostly complete and synthesizes the literature. The wiki has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. The topic is clearly stated with adequate information about sexual assault on college campuses. Overall, the structure is complete, clear, and easy to follow. The recommendation made in the wiki demonstrates the ability to use a sociological imagination; however, the reasoning relies heavily on ideas spelled out in class. The wiki is written in complete sentences and with proper grammar.
- Average (28-31 points): The wiki is partially supported by evidence, or mixes vague with specific evidence. The wiki makes empirical assertions about sexual assault on college campuses that are unsupported. The recommendation in the wiki is sociological in nature, but does not demonstrate a full understanding of the sociological imagination. The structure is complete, but may be hard to follow. Some writing errors are present.
- Poor (24-27 points): The wiki is incomplete or lacks a sociological focus. Poor writing makes if difficult to understand the argument. The argument is not logical or has contradictory logic. The recommendation made in the wiki is based on vague evidence that mostly incorporates non-sociological arguments (personal experience, biological arguments, psychological explanations, or common perceptions of the social world).
- Inadequate (0-23 points): The wiki is incomprehensible. The wiki is not sociological and relies on popular ideas of the social world, biological, or psychological explanations. The recommendation made in the wiki does not demonstrate a sociological imagination. The wiki is based on opinion without any empirical evidence.
NOTE: Students will complete peer evaluations of their group member’s participation which will be figured into each student’s grade.
Part II - Group Presentations of your Recomendations
In lieu of a final exam for this course, you will be giving a presentation with your research group on December 18 (1:00-4:00). Each group will present their campus recommendations for changes in NCSU sexual assault policy or suggestions for education/prevention programs. In your group presentations, you should demonstrate a sociological perspective and sociological critical thinking.
Guidelines for Presentations
Do not feel constrained by traditional presentation methods (i.e. PowerPoint slides). Students can put together short videos, create game shows, and use other non-lecture style formats – so be creative. Each presentation should be roughly 10-15 minutes in length. Your presentations will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Clear articulation of the issue (brief overview of why this issue is important)
- Participation of group members (i.e. each member should speak)
- Relevance of the recommendation (Your presentation should focus primarily on your recommendation and how it would be carried out).
We strongly suggest that each group meet with one of us to discuss your group presentation. We are both available during office hours, by appointment, and over email. Also, please let us know if you need any assistance in terms of copying handouts, technological equipment, etc. Remember, if you are not present for the group presentation you will be deducted one letter grade.
Grading Rubric for Group Presentations
Articulation and Clarification of Issue (5 points)
- Excellent: Has a clear introduction and conclusion to the presentation. Gives a brief overview of the background/historical context about the issue.
- Adequate: Simply states the topic and lists facts/statistics
- Poor: The topic is unclear and out of context.
Participation of Group Members (5 points)
- Excellent: All group members speak and contribute unique information to the presentation. Group members interact with each other throughout the presentation and/or involve members of the audience in the presentation.
- Adequate: All group members speak
- Poor: Not all members of the group speak. A clear leader emerges during the presentation.
Relevance of Recommendation (10 points)
- Excellent: The recommendation explicitly addresses sexual assault on college campuses. The presentation addresses what has been used in the past and the benefits of the proposed recommendation. The presentation addresses what you are proposing and how you plan to do it.
- Adequate: Does not consider what has been used in the past. The presentation does address what you are proposing and, in most part, how you plan to carry it out.
- Poor: Does not address what has been used in the past or how you plan to carry out your own recommendation.