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SOC 495: Sociology Senior Capstone (Professor Angélica Ruiz)

SOC 495 Research Assignments

For full assignment guidelines, please consult Canvas.

Annotated Bibliography

By this time, you have narrowed down your research topic and advocacy position. A library orientation will show you how to start locating 12 or 18 research studies in sociology and related disciplines that pertain to your advocacy area. Option 1 students are required to compile 12 sources and Option 2 students are required to compile 20 sources.

INSTRUCTIONS

From your finalized list of peer-reviewed scholarly articles (NOT magazines, or policy papers), you will identify and select between 8 to 14 sources to annotate. You will identify the most compelling and most relevant sources to your academic field and research inquiry (your investigation into your topic, issue/problem and ideas). The number of scholarly sources you are required to annotate depends on your course pathway; Option 1 or Option 2.

The Annotated Bibliography will be based on three key points that will guide your reading and evaluation of the articles you’ve chosen. You will cite the article, provide a link to it, and then succinctly respond to the three points below. There is a 150-word count minimum for each entry and this does not include the article citations or links.

GUIDE

You will follow this guide for your annotations: A summary, an evaluation of the text, and a reflection on its applicability to his/her/their own research, respectively.

  • Thesis argument: include a brief summary of the key issues and arguments that the author/s is/are presenting?
  • Analyze one or two research findings and explain what you find interesting and compelling.
  • Evaluate its applicability. What is the potential of the findings in engaging your advocacy position in a new direction to fill any of the “knowledge gaps” that you're wondering about?

Take notice of the gaps in understanding between the scholarship and the area of advocacy you care about. Even the best research study you find can be made better! Also note that not all sources will help or enhance your thesis and advocacy position as you might have hoped, and that's okay. This process is to help you evaluate and analyze the existing academic literature on your research inquiry. Even when you realize that a source is not applicable, this process of examination helps you further strengthen your critical analysis, perspective and advocacy position.

For full assignment guidelines, please consult Canvas.

Option 1 - Internship

STRUCTURE OF THE FINAL PAPER

I. Introduction

A clear thesis statement to orient the reader as to the focus of your paper. This will include your stakes (personal, academic, and/or career), advocacy position, argumentation pattern, and thematic organization. [Suggested length: 1.5 -2 page]

II. Literature Review and Analysis

You will locate, identify and write about scholarship related issues and themes that emerged in your internship experience. The result should be a detailed consideration of what the scholarly literature tells you to help explain your patterns or address (or partially address) the questions that you want to examine based on your experiences. [Suggested length: 4 pages]

III. Internship Overview

Reflect on your 30-50 hours of internship experience – what your work was, highlights, and challenges. Describe patterns of observations or questions that emerged for you at your internship site. You will use qualitative data from your notes and observations in this section. Focus on your role in the field and be reflexive about your experience. You must consider the role of intersectionality. It is recommended that you use at least 3 scholarly sources to help bring depth to this reflection. [Suggested length: 5 pages]

IV. Conclusion | Future Directions

You’ll address the following:

  • As you consider your role is as a public sociologist or public criminologist you’ll reflect on your individual intellectual growth.
  • You’ll showcase your vision and “outside the box” thinking as a future college graduate in your field!
  • You’ll share what you learned by being in the field (internship) and connecting your work to academic scholarship?
  • You’ll state recommendations that could be used at your internship site and are based on scholarly research and experiences at the site?

[Suggested length: 1-2 pages]

V. References (minimum 6 scholarly sources)

Use the American Sociological Association (ASA) or American Psychological Association citation styles (APA). Professor Ruiz has provided resources in Canvas to help you cite your sources. Remember that there is a style for citing in the body of the paper as well

For full assignment guidelines, please consult Canvas.

STRUCTURE OF THE FINAL PAPER | Outline

Introduction

This includes your stakes (personal, academic, and/or career), advocacy position, argumentation pattern, and thematic organization. ALL of these components must be included. [Suggested length: 1 -2 page]

Argumentation/ Literature Review

At least three themes/ aspects that highlight your argumentation (or reasoning) based on your annotated notes of 15 scholarly sources that you analyzed in-depth. Explain your reasoning for your advocacy position, drawing from the structure of your annotated notes and any life experiences or observations thoughtfully edited to support your argumentation. Here’s where your skills at writing to convey an argument should shine! [Suggested length: 7-8 pages]

Significance Section

Explain why further study and research into your advocacy position may be essential to expanding academic research in related areas. Propose new research ideas - in Sociology or in other disciplines and fields - and how they could be carried out in better ways, informed by your thoughtful review of published scholarly research...AND gut feelings! Aim for at least three. [Suggested length: 1 page]

Implications Section

On any practical actions that you would recommend in everyday life - and explain why. Propose actions at varying levels – individual, interpersonal, organizational/ institutional/ systemic, policy recommendations – all informed by your thoughtful review of published scholarly research... AND gut feelings. Again, aim for at least three. [Suggested length: 1 page]

Conclusion/Future Directions

On the advocacy position, your individual intellectual growth, and any “knowledge gaps” beyond the scope of your focus. Showcase your vision and “outside the box” thinking as a future college graduate in your field! [Suggested length: 1 page]

References (10-12 scholarly sources)

Use the American Sociological Association (ASA) or American Psychological Association citation styles (APA). Resources in Canvas will be provided to help you cite your sources. Remember that there is a style for citing in the body of the paper as well!