SOC 326: Project Guidelines and Grading Guide
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of an 8- to 10-page double-spaced paper using Word format. The project involves analyzing an act that is currently
deviant and developing a justification for its reclassification as a non-deviant act, using theories and concepts from the class. The final product represents an
authentic demonstration competency, because it requires a synthesis of course material and allows students to activate their sociological imagination. The
project is divided in to four milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions.
These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, Five, and Seven.
Main Elements
Select a behavior that is currently considered deviant by the wider society. A list of suggested topics follows the instructions.
Part 1: Classification as Deviant
Identify an act that is currently deviant and explain how or why it is deviant. This can be a criminal act such as illicit drug use or a noncriminal act such as extreme
body modification. Describe the history of the behavior and the historical reactions to this act. What are the reactions or sanctions to this act that currently
exist? What are the arguments in favor of the behavior remaining deviant?
Part 2: Reclassification as Non-Deviant
Provide arguments for why the deviant behavior should be reclassified as non-deviant. What are the arguments in favor of the behavior no longer being
considered deviant? What are the manifest and latent functions (anticipated and unanticipated outcomes) that may occur socially or culturally?
For this project, students are required to use the course text, as well as at least five outside sources such as books, journals, newspapers, magazines, official
websites, and documentaries from reliable sources. Provide statistics and specific examples to support statements.
Citations: When using a resource, be sure to cite using APA format. The following website provides a formatting and style guide that you may find helpful:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/. Even if you paraphrase, credit needs to be given to the author or the work. It is important to distinguish for the reader those
words and ideas that are original and those that belong to another source. Failure to cite and duplication (the submission of the same or similar paper in more
than one course) may result in a failing grade.
Topic Ideas (Note, students are not limited to the following topics. These are merely suggestions.)
Body modification
Cage fighting
Card counting
Cosplay
Gypsy travelers
Eating habits that are viewed as deviant
Family bed or co-sleeping
Furries
Human cloning
Illegal drugs
Nudism
Obesity
Organ selling
Performance enhancing drugs and techniques
Physician assisted suicide
Polygamy
Promiscuity
Prostitution
Sex tourism
Sex work (nude dancing, phone sex, pornography, etc.)
Tanning (currently under fire, especially among teens)
Tobacco Use
Whaling
Format
Milestone One: Proposal for Reclassification of Deviance Project
In 2-3: Final Project: Milestone One: Proposal for Reclassification of Deviance Project, you will submit a one-page proposal that identifies the topic of study,
provides a working title, and contains a thesis statement.
The format should be a one-page, double-spaced paper, submitted in Module Two. Proposals will not be graded, but feedback will be provided.
Milestone Two: Annotated Bibliography
In 4-4 Final Project: Milestone Two: Annotated Bibliography, you will submit an annotated bibliography that includes a description and evaluation of relevant
sources. Briefly describe in a paragraph for each source why and how the source may be used in the paper. Students are required to use the course text, as well
as at least five outside sources such as books, journals, newspapers, magazines, official websites, and documentaries from reliable sources.
The format should be in APA and the work should be submitted in Module Four. The annotated bibliography will consist of 5% of the overall project grade.
Milestone Three: Rough Draft
In 5-2 Final Project: Milestone Three: Rough Draft, you will submit a rough draft of the final project. The format should be at least four pages, typed, doublespaced, and submitted in Module Five. Rough drafts will not be graded, but feedback will be provided. Submission of a rough draft is required in order for the
final draft to be graded.
Milestone Four: Final Product
In 7-3 Final Project: Milestone Four: Final Product, you will submit a final draft. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the main elements of
the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This milestone will be graded using the Final Product Rubric.
Deliverable Milestones
Milestone Deliverables Module Due Grading
1 Proposal Two Not graded separately
2 Annotated Bibliography Four Graded separately; Annotated Bibliography Rubric
3 Rough Draft of Final Product Five Not graded separately; Submission of rough draft is required in order for
final draft to be graded
4 Final Product Seven Graded separately; Final Product Rubric
Rubric
Requirements of submission: Written components of projects must follow these formatting guidelines when applicable: double spacing, 12-point Times New
Roman font, one-inch margins, and discipline-appropriate citations. Projects should consist of 8-10 pages not including cover page and resources.
Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Main Elements Includes almost all of the main
elements and requirements
and cites multiple examples to
illustrate each element
Includes most of the main
elements and requirements and
cites many examples to illustrate
each element
Includes some of the main
elements and requirements
Does not include any of the
main elements and
requirements
25
Inquiry and Analysis Explores multiple issues
through extensive collection
and in-depth analysis of
evidence to make informed
conclusions
Explores some issues through
collection and in-depth analysis
of evidence to make informed
conclusions
Explores minimal issues
through collection and
analysis of evidence to make
informed conclusions
Does not explore issues
through collection and
analysis of evidence and does
not make informed
conclusions
20
Integration and
Application
All of the course concepts are
correctly applied
Most of the course concepts are
correctly applied
Some of the course concepts
are correctly applied
Does not correctly apply any
of the course concepts
10
Critical Thinking Demonstrates comprehensive
exploration of issues and ideas
before accepting or forming an
opinion or conclusion
Demonstrates moderate
exploration of issues and ideas
before accepting or forming an
opinion or conclusion
Demonstrates minimal
exploration of issues and
ideas before accepting or
forming an opinion or
conclusion
Does not demonstrate
exploration of issues and
ideas before accepting or
forming an opinion or
conclusion
20
Research Incorporates many scholarly
resources effectively that
reflect depth and breadth of
research
Incorporates some scholarly
resources effectively that reflect
depth and breadth of research
Incorporates very few
scholarly resources that
reflect depth and breadth of
research
Does not incorporate
scholarly resources that
reflect depth and breadth of
research
15
Writing
(Mechanics/Citations)
No errors related to
organization, grammar and
style, and citations
Minor errors related to
organization, grammar and style,
and citations
Some errors related to
organization, grammar and
style, and citations
Major errors related to
organization, grammar and
style, and citations
10
Total 100%