Learning Objectives
Students will identify sociological concepts, principles, and theoretical perspectives by reading, remembering, and understanding information presented regarding the issue of poverty.

Students will apply their understanding of the issues of poverty by explaining, analyzing, and comparing and contrasting the various points of view presented.

Students will evaluate each side of the argument and will critique and evaluate each position.

Students will create strategies for alleviating the effects of poverty in our society through the use of their sociological imagination.

Assignment:
There are very distinct views regarding the “blame” for poverty in the United States.  After reading pages 2175-407 in your text, summarize in your own words the views of poverty that are presented.  Some people feel that  the poor themselves are to “blame” for  their situation.  Others believe that society itself contributes to a “culture” of poverty.

Evaluate both of these points of view.

State the key positions taken by each perspective.

Explain the ways in which these views differ, and use specific examples to substantiate each position.  

Compare and contrast the main positions taken by each side.

What evidence suggests that the poor are responsible for poverty?  Identify and evaluate at least three specific examples of the ways in which the poor are blamed for their situation.

What evidence suggests that society as a whole is responsible for poverty?  Identify and evaluate at least three specific examples of ways in which society is blamed for poverty in the U.S.

Which side of the debate do you find more convincing?  As you analyze each position, which of the two is most likely to explain the responsibility for poverty?  Justify your position.

Use specific examples to support your position.
Develop a strategy to alleviate poverty in the United States based on which side of  the argument explains why  you believe where  responsibility lies.  Create at least three different plans for reducing the rate of poverty in our society.
This paper is due by 11:59 pm on Thursday, October 24, 2013.
Grading Rubric Poverty Paper


To earn an A:
Paper is DS, 12 font

Paper is stapled

Key positions for each side of the argument are clearly articulated

At least three examples of each position are included

Comparison and contrast of the positions are clearly indicated using at least three examples

Evidence supporting “society is to blame” position includes at least three examples

Evidence supporting “the poor are to blame” position includes at least three examples

Your position is clearly defined with at least three examples cited for support

Strategy for alleviating poverty is clearly defined with at least three strong recommendations cited

Works cited page is included

One or two minor spelling or grammatical errors present

To earn a C:
Paper is DS, 12 font

Paper is not stapled

Key positions for each side of the argument are present but not clearly articulated

Two or three examples of each position are included

Comparison and contrast of the positions are clearly indicated using at only two or three examples

Evidence supporting “society is to blame” position includes at only two or  three examples; examples weak

Evidence supporting “the poor are to blame” position includes two or three examples; examples weak

Your position is not as clearly defined with  two or three examples cited for support that are not strongly articulated

Strategy for alleviating poverty is not clearly defined with only two or three recommendations cited; recommendations may be weak

Works cited page is included

Three or four minor spelling or grammatical errors present




To earn a D/F

Paper is either/or not typed, stapled,  or 12 font

Key positions for each side of the argument are not present ; examples missing; comparison and contrast missing

Evidence supporting “society is to blame” position includes at only one or two or  examples; examples weak or missing

Evidence supporting “the poor are to blame” position includes only one two examples; examples weak or missing

Your position is not as clearly defined or  only one or two  examples cited for support that are not strongly articulated or missing

Strategy for alleviating poverty is not clearly defined with only one or two recommendations cited; recommendations may be weak or missing

Works cited page is not included

More than four minor spelling or grammatical errors present




More than four spelling or grammatical errors