Project Goal:
You will create a 7-10 page research paper on a chosen topic relating to the family. Your paper will also include an Annotated Bibliography (not included in the 7-10 pages).
Requirements:
You will need to:
● Identify an appropriate Sociological topic that interests you.
● Apply any of the major Sociological perspectives that we have learned in class to your topic and create a thesis statement based on your chosen topic that:
○ Interests you
○ You know you can support with academic research
■ This means you are to take a firm position on something (you are not simply summarizing or explaining a particular issue or topic). Your chosen perspective must be clearly woven throughout your research and presentation.
● Submit your thesis statement to the instructor by the end of Module 2. Your thesis statement should only be 1-2 sentences in length. Click on “Thesis Statement Proposal” in Module 2 and either copy/paste your thesis statement, or upload a document with your thesis statement.
○ NOTE: Please explore Rowan’s Library Database early on, to ensure that there is an adequate amount of research on your topic. You will want to ensure you have enough sources to support your thesis statement, especially since this is a research paper (not a reaction/opinion piece).
● Complete background research of your topic and compose a 7-10 page research paper that supports your thesis statement. Each paper should have an annotated bibliography with at least four (4) academic, peer-reviewed sources. Annotations must be a minimum of 3-4 sentences each.
Possible Topics: (you are not limited to these)
● Dating, Hookup Culture, and Courtship
● Effects of Technology (e.g. smartphones, tablets, social network sites, apps, etc.) on Family Life
● Modern Parenting
● Marital Infidelity (Adultery)
● Domestic Abuse and/or Sexual Assault
● Teenage Pregnancies
● Divorce (e.g. effects, causes)
● Arranged Marriages
● Single Parenthood (Mothers and Fathers)
● Interracial Couples and their Treatment in Society
● Social Class and Family Outcomes
● Plural Marriage/Polyamory/Polygamy
● Kinship and Extended Family
● Native and Aboriginal Families
● Stay at Home Dads
● Effects of Race/Ethnicity on Family Outcomes
● Gender Roles in the Family
● LGBTQ families
● Transgender Lived Experiences
● Mail-Order Brides
● Reproductive Methods and Technologies – IVF, Surrogacy, Family Planning
● Family and Parental Leave Policies
● Military Families
Research Paper Guidelines:
Synopsis: Apply any of the major sociological perspectives discussed in Chapter 2 and create a thesis statement based on a topic of your choice. Your topic can involve:
● Delving into more depth about something we’ve already touched upon
● Exploring one of the many topic related to the family that we have not covered
● A current issue or social phenomenon happening in our society today to which you apply a sociological analysis
Whatever topic you choose, your paper must have a clear thesis statement. Do not summarize or simply “talk about” your topic. Create an “I believe” statement.