This Course Is Project-Based, Which Means That You Will Sele

This course is project-based, which means that you will select and design your own project to work on throughout the quarter.

This course is project-based, which means that you will select and design your own project to work on throughout the quarter. We’re providing guidance, but feel free to consult your professor regarding other ideas or directions. For more information on each assignment, consult the Course Information tab in the Student Center.

You will CHOOSE ONE of the following categories to focus your essays on this quarter:

  • Category 1: Imagine someone was willing to give you $100,000 dollars. The only requirement is that you have to spend the money to address a problem or need in your local community, another community around the nation, or the world.
  • Category 2: Identify a problem in your own workplace or a process that needs to be improved. Imagine that your boss has tasked you with fixing it. You will research and propose solutions to this problem.
  • Category 3: Identify an ongoing important issue in your home or family. You will find ways to solve this issue and present your findings to your family.

Example topic list (select one from one category):

  • Community: Homelessness, Hunger, Creating new management positions
  • Work: Scheduling, Hiring new staff, Pay scale, HR system/processes, Retirement planning, Moving/Relocating, Flexible work options, Sending kids to college
  • Home/Family: Energy efficiency in the home, Child obesity, Rules for electronics usage, Family health/fitness, Child care, Planning for elderly care, Illiteracy, Chores and allowances

Assignment 1: Personal Essay

For this essay, you will choose a reading selection from the Webtext. Write an essay in which you:

  1. Summarize the selected reading, identifying the communities discussed.
  2. Describe the experience discussed in the piece.
  3. State the main point or argument of the piece.
  4. Discuss how the experiences described in the essay are similar or different from your own experiences.

Paper For Above instruction

The purpose of this assignment is to develop critical reading and writing skills through analysis and personal reflection. The selected reading should be carefully summarized to grasp its core message and the communities it addresses. By describing the experiences in the text, the writer can connect or contrast these with personal experiences, fostering deeper understanding. The essay should clearly articulate the main point or argument of the reading, demonstrating comprehension. Lastly, reflecting on similarities or differences between the reading's experiences and one's own life facilitates personal engagement and critical thinking.

In practice, choosing a relevant, thought-provoking reading from the Webtext is essential. For example, an article discussing homelessness in urban communities can be summarized by highlighting the community affected and the challenges faced. The experience might include stories from homeless individuals or community initiatives. The main argument may focus on systemic causes or proposed solutions. Comparing this with personal experiences—perhaps volunteering or witnessing homelessness—can deepen insight and empathy.

Effective essays will balance objective summary with subjective reflection. The summary should be concise yet comprehensive, capturing key themes and issues. The reflection should explore personal connections, considering how the issues resonate or differ from one's own life. This process fosters critical thinking about social issues and develops the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.

References

  • Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the Webtext article. Website Name.
  • Author, B. B. (Year). Title of additional scholarly source. Journal/Publisher.
  • Organization. (Year). Report title or webpage name. Publisher/Website.
  • Author, C. C. (Year). Book or article title. Journal or Publisher.
  • Author, D. D. (Year). Title of another scholarly source. Journal/Publisher.
  • Websource, E. E. (Year). Title of the webpage. Website Name.
  • Author, F. F. (Year). Research study or report. Institution/Publisher.
  • Author, G. G. (Year). Related book title. Publisher.
  • Smith, J. (2020). Understanding Social Issues: A Critical Approach. Oxford University Press.
  • Johnson, L. (2019). Community Engagement and Change. Routledge.

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