Final Paper Preparation

To prepare for your Final Paper (due in Week Five), complete the following assignment and submit it to your instructor for feedback.

Problem Statement: Describe the social problem you have selected for your paper.

Overview: Using the Final Paper instructions in Week Five as a guide, provide an overview of the topics you will discuss in your Final Paper. Your overview, just like your Final Paper, is expected to include a problem statement or description of the social problem you have selected, a discussion of the scope and consequences of the problem, and a discussion of society’s responses to the problem, including at least one alternative solution to the problem.

Academic Research Reminder: Academic research papers must meet university level standards of quality recognized by the academic community. What constitutes quality, academic research?

1. Primary (original) sources written by experts in the field of study.
2. Secondary sources supported by research in primary sources.
3. Credible sources (experts in the field; well-known theorists; sources which use primary and secondary sources to support claims).
4. Relevant research (materials are pertinent to the area of study).
5. In graduate work, the use of peer-reviewed journal articles (journal articles reviewed by recognized experts in the relevant field of study) is required.
6. Educational and government websites (those ending with a web URL suffix of .edu or .gov) may be appropriate in some cases but should be evaluated carefully.

The overview of your Final Paper must be two to three double-spaced pages in length (not including the title page and reference page) and formatted according to the APA style guide. You must use a minimum of three scholarly sources (at least one of which must be found in the Ashford University Library) other than the textbook to support your claims and subclaims. Cite your sources in the text of your paper and on the reference page.

Final Paper

Your Final Paper should include a problem statement or description of the social problem you have selected, a discussion of the scope and consequences of the problem, and an assessment of society’s responses to the problem (including public policies and other less formal responses). Papers should also present a clearly reasoned alternative that is supported by scholarly research.

While the following example can be modified to suit your needs, using this outline as a guide will likely result in a high quality final paper:

1. Title
2. Describe the social problem.
3. Explain why this problem qualifies as a social problem.
4. Indicate the sociological theory or theories that may explain this social problem.
5. Discuss the individual and social implications of this problem. Your discussion of implications should be supported by accurate research data.
6. Summarize what social science experts have to say about this social problem. Are their conclusions methodologically sound?
7. Explain what we, as a society, have done about this problem, considering public policies and other less formal responses.
8. Explain how well societal efforts to solve the social problem are working.
9. Describe an alternative.
10. Discuss why the alternative is, or can be, an effective response to the problem. Remember to consider negative consequences of the alternative response.
11. Conclude with reflections and thoughts about your chosen social problem.
12. References

Academic Research Reminder: Academic research papers must meet university level standards of quality recognized by the academic community. What constitutes quality, academic research?

1. Primary (original) sources written by experts in the field of study.
2. Secondary sources supported by research in primary sources.
3. Credible sources (experts in the field; well-known theorists; sources which use primary and secondary sources to support claims).
4. Relevant research (materials are pertinent to the area of study).
5. In graduate work, the use of peer-reviewed journal articles (journal articles reviewed by recognized experts in the relevant field of study) is required.
6. Educational and government websites (those ending with a web URL suffix of .edu or .gov) may be appropriate in some cases but should be evaluated carefully.

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

1. Must be five to seven double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
2. Must include a title page with the following:
   1. Title of paper
   2. Student’s name
   3. Course name and number
   4. Instructor’s name
   5. Date submitted
3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6. Must use at least five scholarly resources, including a minimum of three from the Ashford Online Library.
7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Carefully review the 
Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.

Your text uses Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model to explain how children’s development is affected by different groups within their world. Using this theory, we can understand how children are socialized both intentionally and unintentionally. You must understand how this theory applies to your own upbringing as well as a young child’s upbringing in order to truly comprehend the concept. After reading the text and the “Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory” article, use your understanding of this theory to respond to the questions below.  

Using Bronbenbrenner’s ecological model, respond to the following questions:

1. How did the microsystem that you grew up in differ from your parents’ or grandparents’ microsystems? Do you think this is a detrimental or an affirmative change to society as a whole?  
2. How do you think technology, specifically social media, influences a child’s mesosystems?  

Guided Response:

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. 

Case Study—TSA

Writing Assignment

Read the Case: Can the TSA Secure Top Flight Performance in chapter 1 of your text book  and do the following:

• Summarize the case in 1-2 paragraphs.
• Explain which of the HR practices described in the case you think contribute to greater efficiency and effectiveness of TSA employees. Why? Recommend at least two other practices which could be employed to increase efficiency and effectiveness of TSA employees. Justify your response.
• Explain which of the HR practices described in the case you think can contribute to ethical behavior by TSA employees. Why? Recommend at least two other practices which could be employed to encourage ethical behavior of TSA employees. Justify your response.
•  Explain at least 3 practices you would recommend to ensure TSA follows equal employment guidelines. Justify your response.

Write a 2- to 3-page paper in Word format. Apply current APA standards for writing style to your work.

CASE: CAN THE TSA SECURE TOP-FLIGHT PERFORMANCE?

If you’ve flown in the United States recently, you’ve passed through security checkpoints staffed by the Transportation Security Administration, a federal agency created in November 2001 to protect all modes of transportation. TSA agents are best known for scanning baggage and screening persons headed for gates in the nation’s airports. Most travelers appreciate the concern for safety following the 2001 terrorist attacks, but many also grumble about times they have encountered a TSA employee who was unpleasant or seemed capricious in enforcing rules.

For its part, TSA management has been challenged to maintain a workforce that is knowledgeable, well qualified, ethical, and vigilant about identifying risky persons and behavior. Occasional news reports have identified lapses such as items stolen from luggage (perhaps when TSA agents are inspecting checked bags) and claims that security screeners have cheated on tests of their ability to spot smuggled weapons.

In a recent year, TSA received an average of 1,443 claims for lost, stolen, or damaged items, affecting a small share of the 65 million passengers who travel each month. Geoff Rabinowitz, a business traveler whose laptop computer disappeared from one of his bags, worries that theft by TSA or airline employees could signal a huge security risk: “If they can get away with taking something out of bags, what can they put in bags without getting caught?” Lauren Suhre lost jewelry and sees theft as a sign of poor management: “I can’t imagine working for them.” TSA responds to such complaints by noting that it has a zero-tolerance policy for employees caught stealing and investigates charges aggressively.

Cheating on security tests is another problem that raises ethics questions. One report said agents at airports in San Francisco and Jackson, Mississippi, allegedly were tipped off about undercover tests to be conducted. According to the allegations, TSA employees described to screeners the undercover agents, the type of weapons they would attempt to smuggle through checkpoints, and the way the weapons would be hidden.

What is the TSA doing to improve the professionalism of its employees? Many of the efforts involve human resource management. One practice involves the design of jobs. TSA wants employees to see themselves not just as “screeners” who sit in airports but as part of a larger law enforcement effort. So that job title was eliminated and replaced with the term security officers, and career paths were developed. The agency also improved its training in job tasks such as interpreting X rays and searching property. It added performance-based pay to its compensation plan, so high-performing employees are rewarded in a practical way. Such changes have helped reduce employee turnover substantially. A survey also found greater job satisfaction among TSA workers.

These improvements are no small achievement, considering that government agencies have tended to lag behind many businesses in creating a focus on high performance. In a government agency, which is not ruled by sales and profits, it can be difficult to develop measurable performance outcomes—measuring what individuals and groups actually achieve, rather than merely tracking their day-to-day activities. As a result, employees may not always see how their individual efforts can help the agency achieve broader goals. Without this vision, they have less incentive to excel.

TSA, part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has tried to become an exception, a performance-oriented government agency. Marta Perez, chief human capital officer of DHS, says TSA defined its overall objective as “to deploy layers of security to protect the traveling public and the nation’s transportation system.” To achieve that objective, the agency set specific goals for individual airports, including goals to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of airport screening, as well as safety targets. For example, one goal is that the wait time for 80 percent of the passengers going through airport security should be 10 minutes or less. Individuals at each airport have specific goals aimed at achieving the airport’s overall goals. According to Perez, the goals help employees and managers talk about what is expected and how they will be evaluated.

SOURCES: Mark Schoeff Jr., “TSA Sees Results from Revamped People Practices,” Workforce Management, December 11, 2006, p. 20; Bill Trahant, “Realizing a Performance Culture in Federal Agencies,” Public Manager, Fall 2007, pp. 45–50; Tom Belden, “Reports of Thefts from Luggage at PHL,” Philadelphia Inquirer, August 27, 2007, downloaded from General Reference Center Gold, http://find.galegroup.com; and Thomas Frank, “Investigation Looks at Airport-Screener Testing,” USA Today, October 5, 2007, http://find.galegroup.com.

• The philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke disagreed on the understanding of political authority, with Locke taking what is commonly called the “liberal” view. Choose a side (be brave perhaps; take a side you actually disagree with). Using the writings of each given in our class text or at the Websites below, make your case for the side you chose and against the other side. Identify one (1) modern situation in the world where these issues are significant.