Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to analyze a social problem that social workers address in their everyday work. Your analysis will introduce the social problem and its relevance to the profession, discuss the historical perspective of the problem and its social construction and identify micro, mezzo and macro interventions to address the problem.
Assignment Details
The intent of the social problem paper is to present an understanding and analysis of a social problem that social workers address in their everyday work. Students will write a minimum 5-page and maximum 10-page double spaced paper that includes the six headings below. Following APA 7th Edition Style, papers should be written using 12-point font and double spaced.
Using the same articles that you used for Annotated Bibliography, continue your research on the social problem and use a total of at least 5 sources from peer-reviewed journals that describe this social problem and describe the social work response. At least 2 of these sources need to be social work journals. Your articles should provide understanding and examples of social work interventions at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. A quality paper will include a strong critical analysis throughout the paper including appropriate APA citations throughout, and should avoid relying primarily only on one or two of the articles.
The following 6 headings must be included:
- Introduction: Brief introduction to the problem including brief discussion of relevance to social work. Discuss what questions or ideas will be explored.
- Historical Analysis: Use your research to integrate a historical understanding of the development of the social problem from a critical perspective. How have views changed over time?
- Problem Identification: Name the social problem and discuss the context of the problem. Highlight the assumed causes of the problem and what consequences are known or could be predicted to occur if the problem is not addressed. How have those with power framed this problem? Discuss the prevalence of the problem using current data from your references. Consider the social construction of the problem. What individuals or groups are impacted by this problem?
- Application to Social Work Values: Using the six NASW core social work values (with a focus on social justice), why is it important for social workers to address the problem? What is the ideal? What is the gap between the actual and the ideal? Are there any ethical issues involved?
- Advocacy steps at the micro, mezzo and macro levels: Outline the advocacy steps at these three levels for social work to be able to address this issue. The recommendations should consider evidence of existing practices and research or new ideas from successful grass roots efforts. The advocacy steps or recommendations synthesize material presented in the paper and make a clear connection between the needs and the responses.
- Summary: This section recites the key points made (including sources) and wraps up the paper with a clear conclusion, names any significant limitations of the paper and makes recommendations for future research and advocacy.
*The minimum of 5 peer-reviewed sources should not be the “goal” for the paper. In reality, most students will need more than 5 sources to adequately support the truth claims that are made in their paper. Make sure that you understand the importance of supporting every aspect of your argument using citations to the existing literature and scholarship. Depending on the topic of the paper, some students may also need to use reputable community sources (such as statistics and information from local and state governmental sources, reports from non-profits working in the topical area, etc.). If you have questions about the issue of supporting your arguments using existing scholarship, please have a discussion with your instructor and/or schedule time to meet with a writing tutor at the DU Writing Center.
Quality writing: Quality and understandable, clear writing is a minimal expectation in graduate school and in the social work profession, so make sure to proofread your paper before submitting it. The paper should be well organized and logical. Points will be deducted for misspellings, typos, poor grammar, incorrect punctuation, and illogical sentences. (Access the DU writing center hereLinks to an external site..) APA publication rules and guidelines should be followed for citations and references. Sources are cited and referenced according to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition. (Online APA guide)Links to an external site.
Critical Analysis: Throughout the paper, the discussion of the problem and the role of social work is grounded in the literature and analysis rather than in emotional appeal. Critical thinking skills are utilized throughout the paper as the literature is integrated into the content and to note gaps in research. Cite at least 5 peer reviewed journals, with at least 2 being from a social work perspective (i.e., written by a social worker, social work organization, or from a social work journal)