How the social problem manifests itself on a global scale

The field of sociology presents a unique perspective to viewing the world’s social problems. Social problems tend to be viewed solely as individual constructs and responsibilities, but sociologists take a deeper dive into the complex set of variables driving the development of these problems using various theoretical perspectives. As these problems surface in individual lives, the workplace, and communities, a sociological perspective is valuable for providing a framework for deeper investigation of variables and limiting personal biases when analyzing problems.

In this project, you will play the part of a sociologist who has been requested by your national community to craft a letter of intent to the potential funder, the Department of Health and Human Services. The project will be divided into two parts. In the first part, you will prepare to write the letter of intent by conducting research on the social problem and thinking about how to limit your personal biases when later analyzing the social issue. In the second part of the project, the letter of intent, you will analyze the problem from a sociological perspective, outlining the influential variables and the local and global impacts of the problem, and finally suggest a potential solution.

The final submission for Part II will occur in Module Seven.

In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

 Analyze contemporary social problems on local and global scales by applying key theoretical perspectives  Analyze social variables and determinants for their influence in the development of contemporary social problems on a local and global scale  Suggest potential solutions that are aligned with best practices for addressing the negative impacts of social issues  Illustrate how the use of sociological theory limits personal and societal biases in analyzing social problems

Part II You have completed your background research and thought about how you will limit your biases in the analysis of the social issue. Now you are ready to write your letter of intent. The potential funder will want to know the local and global impact of the social problem, the variables causing the problem to occur, and your potential solution with justification for why the solution will be successful.

Specifically the following critical elements must be addressed:

I. Introduction: In this section, you will set the stage for the rest of your letter. Explain the contemporary social problem that you selected and discuss the relevance for today’s society on a local scale. How does the issue present itself in the United States or in your local community?

II. Problem Description: Based on the variables and determinants you previously identified when preparing for this letter, determine the most influential social variables and determinants leading to the social problem and justify your selections with research you previously conducted in preparing to write this letter.

III. Global Impact: So that the funder can understand the significance of the social problem, you will explain the local and global impacts using a sociological perspective.

A. Provide an example of how the social problem manifests itself on a global scale. In what other country or countries does this problem present itself and how?

B. Compare and contrast the existence of the problem locally versus globally. How is the way the problem exists locally similar to or different from the way it exists globally?

C. Based on your comparison of the local and global manifestations of the social issue, what conclusions can you draw about the influence of globalization on this specific social issue? How similar or different are the social issues and their repercussions, and what does that mean in relation to the impact of globalization?

D. Select a key sociological theoretical perspective that best explains why there are similarities and differences in how the social issue presents on a local and global scale, justifying your selection.

E. Apply your selected theoretical perspective to explain why there are similarities and differences in how the social issue presents on a local and global scale.

IV. Potential Solution A. Based on your previous research, what suggestion do you have for responding to the identified social issue? Specifically what do you suggest as

an action in responding to the social issue? B. Explain why your suggestion is likely to be successful, substantiating with research. Explain how the suggestion takes into account your previous

research of attempted solutions and identified best practices.

Deliverable Final Submission: Letter of Intent In Module Seven, you will submit your final letter of intent. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product, listed above (I–IV). It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. Your final submission will be graded using the Final Product Part II Rubric.

Final Product Part II Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Your Letter of Intent must be 2–3 pages in length and use APA formatting. Use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins in Microsoft Word. Include at least three scholarly sources cited in APA format.

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value Introduction Meets “Proficient” criteria, and

response provides a strong foundation for the rest of the letter

Explains the social problem and discusses the relevance for today’s society on a local level

Explains the social problem and discusses the relevance for today’s society on a local level, but response has gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not explain the social problem and does not discuss the relevance for today’s society on a local level

16

Problem Description Meets “Proficient” criteria, and determination demonstrates keen insight into influential variables and determinants

Determines the most influential social variables and determinants leading to the social problem and justifies the selections with research

Determines the most influential social variables and determinants leading to the social problem and justifies selections, but variables and determinants are inappropriate, or response is weakly justified

Does not determine the most influential social variables and determinants leading to the social problem

16

Global Impact: Global Scale

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and example provides keen insight into how the problem manifests itself on a global scale

Provides an example of how the social problem manifests itself on a global scale

Provides an example of how the social problem manifests itself on a global scale, but example is irrelevant or inaccurate

Does not provide an example of how the social problem manifests itself on a global scale

6.4

Global Impact: Compare and Contrast

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and comparison demonstrates keen insight into the variances of how social problems manifest themselves globally

Compares and contrasts the existence of the problem locally and globally

Compares and contrasts the existence of the problem locally and globally, but comparison has gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not compare and contrast the existence of the problem locally and globally

6.4

Global Impact: Globalization

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and conclusions demonstrate keen insight into the influence of globalization on the social issue

Draws conclusions about the influence of globalization on the specific social issue based on previous comparison

Draws conclusions about the influence of globalization on the specific social issue, but conclusions are not based on previous comparison, or conclusions are inappropriate or irrelevant

Does not draw conclusions about the influence of globalization on the specific social issue

6.4

Global Impact: Theoretical Perspectives

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and selection of theoretical perspective demonstrates keen insight into appropriate application

Selects a key sociological theoretical perspective that best explains why there are similarities and differences in how the social issue presents itself on a local and global scale, justifying the selection

Selects a key sociological theoretical perspective that explains why there are similarities and differences in how the social issue presents itself on a local and global scale and justifies the selection, but selection or justification is inappropriate or irrelevant

Does not select a key sociological theoretical perspective that best explains why there are similarities and differences in how the social issue presents itself on a local and global scale

6.4

Global Impact: Apply Perspective

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and explanation demonstrates keen insight into the application of the theoretical perspective

Applies selected theoretical perspective to explain why there are similarities and differences in how the social issue presents itself on a local and global scale

Applies selected theoretical perspective to explain why there are similarities and differences in how the social issue presents itself on a local and global scale, but with gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not apply selected theoretical perspective to explain why there are similarities and differences in how the social issue presents itself on a local and global scale

6.4

Potential Solution: Suggestion

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and response is particularly well aligned to previous research

Suggests response to the identified social issue based on previous research

Suggests response to the identified social issue, but response is not based on previous research

Does not suggest a response to the identified social issue

16

Potential Solution: Successful

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and explanation is particularly well aligned with research

Explains why the suggestion is likely to be successful, substantiating with research

Explains why the suggestion is likely to be successful, and substantiates with research, but response is cursory, illogical, or weakly substantiated

Does not explain why the proposed solution is likely to be successful

16

Articulation of Response

Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to- read format

Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization

Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas

Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas

4

Total 100%