Introduction to Sociology: 110 Multi Causal Model Term Instructor: Valerie Gunhus

Project

Note: Follow the Points for Parts Evaluation sheet at end of document.

Due Date Term Project:____will announce in class_____

Total Points (100 pts.)

Assignment Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to encourage you to develop the critical thinking skills that will enable
you to appreciate the relationship between experiences you have and or social behavior as it is related to
Society (social forces), Biology and Biography. In essence, you are to diagram these relationships using the
multi-causal model illustrated in class along with the sociological imagination.
The topic area for this project is of your own choosing. I will require that you broaden your knowledge
of the topic through research, before analyzing it. The research you do will help you to explore each of the
areas: Biology, Society, and Biography more thoroughly. You should obtain at least (8) resources having to do
with your topic : Researched sources from articles / books / newspapers either in hard copy or located through
database searches, that our library has subscribed to, are preferred versus doing “google / internet searches”.
You will need your student ID number to the access the online library. The textbook cannot not be used as one
of the counted sources. Generally any textbook is not considered a primary source of information, but may be
helpful in giving an overview of a subject or a list of resources to research further, but cannot be used as a
counted source. Generally the more research you have to draw from, the easier it is to be thorough in the
analysis portion of the project. Lastly, I will post an example paper in the folder marked Term Project. Any
example of either the entire project or the brainstorming are then topics that cannot be used by yourself for this
assignment.
Cite the Resources!!

You will be expected to cite your researched material in the body of the paper. If you do not know how to do
this, please request help from myself, a writing instructor or the learning/writing center. I’m sure the librarians
would be happy to assist you as well.
Generally you must cite your source for any quoted, paraphrased, and information that is not common
knowledge. Statistical information should always be cited with its source.

For example - In text citation: (last name, year: pg. #) is provided immediately after the presentation of the
idea / statistic/ etc.

In the Bibliography you will need to provide the entire information about the book or article etc. to include
author’s full name, title, source of article or publisher of book, year.
Please use APA style – style guides are available from your instructor if needed.
At the discretion of the instructor, any project may receive zero points if plagiarism is indicated.
Special Note: Match the in text citation with the bibliography source by numbering them identically.
If in Bibliography, 1. Gunhus, V. 2022. Social historical influences on behavior. Journal of …Vol.1.
Then make sure the in text citation matches the number and details. (1. Gunhus, 2022)
This is just for my ease of scrolling back n forth to match sources quickly. Thank you! My eyes appreciate it.
Required Format READ THESE PAGES – IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!
This format is required for the structure of your paper.
FORMAT of your Paper MUST INCLUDE the use of SUBHEADINGS, definitions, questions and numbered
distinct ideas. See Below.
Title Page – 1st sheet indicating your topic, the assignment, your name, class and instructor, date.
Introduction -
Where you will introduce your topic and define the sociological imagination. This can be initiated by
stating “the purpose of the project is to …..” You should also articulate why the sociological imagination is an
appropriate method to analyze you topic (ie. argue why we should consider this a social issue rather than merely
a personal issue) as well as a discussion of the value of a multi-causal approach to understanding human social
behavior. The use of statistics to show how widespread or how frequent the behavior is useful in arguing the
why the topic is a social issue.
Biology
 Use this subheading, followed by a definition from our class notes and a question that frames up the
definition as a question with your topic identified.
 For content in this section, number distinct ideas of relevant information supporting the connection
between your behavior and its biological causes.
Society
When we assess the effect or influence of Society upon behavior we look at : social and cultural norms,
social and cultural values, role expectations, social institutions (GREEF) and the overall historical development
of society.
 Use each subheading identified below, followed by a definition from our class notes and a question that
frames up the definition as a question with your topic identified.
 For content in each section, number distinct ideas of relevant information supporting the connection
between your behavior and its causes as they fall under norms, values, role expectations etc..
Cultural Norms
Cultural Values
Role Expectations
Historical development
Government
Religion
Economy
Education
Family
Biography -This part of the multi-causal model examines the connections between our unique personal
circumstances or experiences that have contributed to the behavior we are studying.
 Use this subheading, followed by a definition from our class notes and a question that frames up the
definition as a question with your topic identified.
 For content in this section, number distinct ideas of relevant information supporting the connection
between your behavior and its biographical causes.
Conclusion
Your conclusion should restate the purpose of this project and a brief review of the major ideas in the
body of your paper and any last thoughts you have.
Bibliography
Listing all sources used in the paper – organized by author’s last name alphabetically, year. Title. Source
or Publisher, Volume number etc. possibly also page numbers.
The bibliography MUST MATCH the sources that you cite in the text of your project. If they do not match, they
will not be counted toward the required number of sources. One of the first things I do is double check you
have the required number of sources and that I can clearly and easily find these sources cited in the text of the
paper. Please highlight your citations YELLOW within the paper.
________________________________________________________________________
As you collect your research and read it you will have to decide what main factor does this information support.
For example: is the article suggesting the importance of a genetic or biological issue - then you would
incorporate that information under your discussion of Biology in your analysis. If for example the article was
citing changes in the job market or wages - then you would fit it into your discussion of the economy under the
Society part of your analysis.

Here is a suggestion for how you could tackle this assignment.

1. Identify a topic area of interest to you - look through the text, read some of the chpts.
to get a feel for the variety of things you could investigate.
2. Work up the brainstorming we practiced with in class and BRAINSTORM how each area is
has a causal influence on your topic.
3. Obtain your research which can be cross referenced (Biology - topic) etc. on the
computer data base searches.
4. Read the articles and identify the information you can use in your analysis.
5. Diagram all your information and ideas under the appropriate areas in the multi-causal
model. Be organized enough to include the reference citation right then and there.
6. Write out the introduction and conclusion.
No problem! :)

Helpful tools:
See NICC library tab when you log into NICC. = access to databases of scholarly articles. Do targeted
searches by using an advanced search option to cross reference your topic with a specific factor in the model
like biology or economy.
NICC Writing Center 1-844-642-2338 ask for writing center.

Remember:
Your project will be automatically submitted to a plagiarism check upon submission. This procedure is
an integrated feature of our distance learning platform. Nothing is required of you other than to be sure
to cite your sources and not plagiarize.

Introduction to Sociology: 110 Name:_______________________

Do a self-review of your work to make sure it meets the criteria identified below. All criteria met? Yes or No?
Did I do my best work? Yes or no?
Term Project Requirements and Evaluation Sheet
_Required_1. Plagiarism check. This is an integrated feature of our distance learning platform. Once you submit your assignment, the
system will automatically forward your work to a plagiarism check.
If the percent similarity report indicates that very little of the project is shown to be your own work, your project
will not be accepted and receive a zero.
__5__ 2. Quality of the project: Paper should be:
 Typed and submitted in .doc, .docx .rtf, or .pdf file type within the Brightspace assignments area of our class.
 Format: 1 inch margins, 12 pt. font, Use of subheadings, definitions, and questions per assignment sheet.
 Minimal errors in spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.
 Title page. Including your name, date, class, title of the project.
 Followed directions of assignment.
__10__ 3. Introduction to the assigned project MUST include:
 Purpose of the project statement, ie. “factors influencing a behavior..”
 Overview of the multi-causal model, listing and discussing each of the three main factors
 Definition of sociological imagination and then repeated with your topic interjected.
 Discussion of the sociological imagination as an appropriate method of analysis for your topic by showing your
topic is a public rather than private issue. Include statistics to validate your behavior topic as a public widespread
behavior.
 Clearly state each of these by using these words. Length: ¾ to 1 ½ pages.
__10__ 4. Analysis of BIOLOGY component
 Subheading, Definition of biology per in class notes AND Question framing up your topic from a biological
perspective which you will answer in this section)
 3-5 DISTINCT / “different” ideas addressed. Each major idea should be numbered to easily indicate how
many supporting ideas you have. 3 ideas = minimal points. Cite research that validates one or more ideas.
__45__ 5. Analysis of SOCIETY component including:
 Norms,
 Values,
 Role expectations,
 Historical development,
 Government,
 Religion,
 Education,
 Economy,
 Family.
 EACH OF THESE should have a its own Subheading, Definition of each area per in class notes AND Question framing
up your topic from each of these areas which you will answer in each section – see question examples in the practice
assignment worksheet) (9 areas = 5 points each)
 3 - 5 distinct / different ideas addressed per section. Each major idea should be numbered to easily indicate how many
supporting points you have. 3 ideas = minimal points. Cite research that validates one or more ideas.
__10___ 6. Analysis of BIOGRAPHY component
 Subheading, Definition of biography per in class notes AND Question framing up your topic from a
biographical perspective which you will answer in this section.
 3-5 distinct / different ideas addressed. Each major idea should be numbered. 3 ideas = minimal points. Cite
research that validates one or more ideas.
__ 4___ 7. Conclusion: Length should be one long paragraph or more.
 Restates purpose; summarize what was learned about EACH (biology, society, biography) for influence on the
behavior you researched. In addition, you may offer your own reflection on the value of the project here.
__16__ 8. Bibliography sheet AND all research properly cited within body of project.
 Citations using at least 8 different sources must be in the text of the project and must match bibliography sources.
Researched and cited material should be in each of the three main factors (biology, society, and biography.)
 Number your sources in bibliography. Match and include that same number to the in-text citation.
8 Required, not including textbooks or class notes.
 APA bibliography format. (Example) 3. Gunhus, Valerie. 2018. “Title”. Source.
(Example) of in text citation matching with common number: (3. Gunhus, 2018)
 Citations within the body of project must be highlighted Yellow for quick visual identification.

_________ / __100____ Points possible for the project End.