SOC2276 MAJOR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
(Journal Article and Critical Analysis)
Worth 25% of your final grade
The purpose of this assignment requires each student to answer one of the following
research questions through:
1. Summarizing and critiquing an academic journal article.
2. Discussing sociological concepts, theories, and social trends.
Research Questions/Statements:
1. Gender (Module 6): Analyze different aspects of gender by comparing differences
between males and females from a cross-cultural perspective.
2. Sexual/Affectional Orientations and Diversity (Module 7): Analyze the life
experiences and challenges experienced by gays, lesbians and bisexuals.
3. Attraction, Intimacy, Love, and Sexual Communication (Module 8): Describe and
compare issues of attraction, intimacy, love, and sexual communication between men and
women.
4. Variations in Sexual Behavior (Module 9): Describe the diversity of sexual variations
from the perspective of the normal-abnormal continuum.
5. Sexual Assault and Harassment (Module 10): Analyze the different types of sexual
coercion including, causes, effects, and treatments.
6. Selling and Buying Sex (Module 11): Analyze the issues surrounding different types of
commercial sex including the characteristics of the consumers and providers.
7. Sexuality Health Education (Module 12): Describe the challenges of sexuality
education today including evidence of its effectiveness.
**Topics will be chosen on a first come, first served basis. The number of students per topic will
be restricted based upon the number of students in the class. Dates for each presentation are
scheduled in relation to course topics.**
Sources:
You are expected to use three different sources in completing this assignment.
1. One sociological journal article from a reputable academic source published within the
last 10 years should and a minimum of 3 pages should be selected as the basis of your
critical analysis. This article should be submitted with your paper and referenced in APA
format in your written work and reference page.
2. The text book (or another sociological source) should be applied and referenced to
support the sociological concepts or theories you apply to your research question.
3. A current article from the popular media (newspaper, magazine, or internet) published
within the last year that discusses current sociological trends should be applied and
referenced in support of your research question.
**The sociological journal article and current article from popular media must be accessible
through a working link or URL**
Note that you may not find the perfect article that addresses all points of your research question,
such as a cross-cultural comparison of your topic. However, by combining your text book and the
popular media together with your article, may provide you with the necessary information for a
cross-cultural comparison.
Guidelines for the Marking & Written Portion of the Assignment:
 Article Requirements and Format
It is important that your article originates from a reputable sociological source that supports
information that is empirical and based upon the expertise of social scientists. Recommended
sources for the research assignment include – Human Sexuality: A Contemporary Introduction 3e
Student Resources (www.oup.com/he/Pukall3e) which accompanies the textbook, SocINDEX
with Full Text, Academic Search Complete, or Academic One File from Buchanan Library’s
on-line database. You may wish to speak to a librarian to assist you with your research. Grades
will reflect your effort in finding an appropriate article that is relevant to your research question.
This is a formal written assignment that should be in APA format that includes: title page,
referencing of sources, reference page, appropriate font and spacing, and clear and concise
language. Lethbridge College’s APA Student Guide (7th Ed.)
1. Summary of the Academic Journal Article (about 1 page or 300-550 words)
NO Marks will be given for the Article Summary if you do not have an academic, peer reviewed
journal article. This section must be in your own words with no direct quotes or copying from
your article. Your summary should begin with an introduction. Address what question(s) or issues
the author is attempting to address; or what previous research prompted the authors to conduct
their study? In other words, what is the purpose of this article? Then summarize in your own
words what the author is saying by briefly stating their main points. This may involve going
beyond the stated facts and seeing the whole picture or thesis. For example, Durkheim’s study on
suicide is not just about comparing suicide rates between Catholics and Protestants, but it is on
how one’s social context influences individual behavior.
2. Critical Analysis of the Academic Journal Article (about 1 page or 300-550 words)
The analysis of your peer- reviewed article through the following questions should clearly explain
and support your points. It is not enough to simply say your article is scientific and objective;
explain your reasoning through demonstrating your understanding of sociology research
concepts.
o Evidence: Analyzing an article involves looking at the nature of the evidence. Evidence can
be scientific or non-scientific. Non-scientific evidence may be based upon opinion, anecdotal
examples, or logical reasoning. Scientific evidence is empirically based using one of the four
main research methods, including experiments, surveys, content analysis, or field research. If
you use a research-based article clearly state the nature of the evidence and the nature of the
study (if applicable). Keep in mind that not all articles are research based. Some may be
based upon opinion or anecdotal evidence. Be sure to clearly describe the nature of the
evidence.
o Point of view: All social scientists (and all people) have a point of view or bias. A point of
view may be reflective of one’s culture, gender, social class, or race/ethnicity. It may be
openly stated or hidden and relevant or irrelevant to what the author is saying. One’s point of
view may reflect a theoretical approach. For example, does the author’s perspective reflect a
social conflict, structural functional, symbolic interaction, or feminist theoretical perspective?
Sometimes the sponsoring organization or journal itself reflects a particular point of view. Be
clear that in this context, point of view does not mean the author’s hypothesis or thesis.
o Strengths and weaknesses of the article: Consider the research methodology used and its
inherent strengths and weaknesses. Is there any real evidence or does the evidence presented
adequately support the author’s conclusions? Consider the author’s assumptions, is it
reasonable? Consider the author’s bias, point of view, or theoretical perspective; is it fair and
reasonably objective; does it adequately explain the research question? Be sure to clearly
describe both the strengths and weakness of your article. Does the article succeed in
achieving its overall purpose?
o Do you agree or disagree with the author? Why or why not? Here is your chance to give
your point of view on this research question. Be sure to clearly describe your point of view
and your reasons for that position.
3. Sociological Concepts/Theory and Social Issues/Trends (about 1 page or 300-550 words)
You are expected to demonstrate your understanding of the broader issues represented by your
research question and article. Broader issues include sociology of sexuality concepts and theories
discussed in the text and throughout the course; social trends and current events within Canada or
the global community that apply to your topic.
Select one of the major sociology of sexuality theories that apply to your research question.
Clearly define, explain, and apply this theory to your article and the research question.
In examining the current social issues and trends that relate to your research question, find out
what is going on at local, provincial, national or international levels to see which best applies to
your issue. News sources through the popular press include: Lethbridge Herald, Globe and Mail,
CBC News, Maclean’s Magazine. You may also consider using the internet or College library
news database (Canadian Newstream). The links to these databases are found on Canvas. Be sure
to reference all sources in APA format.
 Organization and Writing Style
This assignment requires you to answer a research question through a summary and analysis of a
peer-reviewed article; and application of sociological concepts, theories, social issues or trends
supported by an article from the popular media. The organization of these points therefore must
therefore tie all sections together focused on answering the research question. For each of the
sections, it is important to be clear about the question to which you are responding. Headings
using the assignment questions will enhance your organization. As this is a formal assignment
your language must be formal, clear, and concise.
General Guidelines
 Due dates for your major assignment can be found on Canvas.
 Guidelines for Submission:
Submit your paper on-line to the Canvas Dropbox. From here it will be automatically
uploaded to Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com)
 Submitting to Canvas:
 In Canvas, click Modules (left tool bar), scroll down to the Assignment
Info folder and click on the Major Written Assignment icon, and click
Download Submission (top right).
ASSIGNMENT GRADING SHEET (25%)
Please note that this is the form that you need to use to complete this assignment.
Summary of the Academic Journal Article (5 marks)
 What is the purpose of this article?
 What questions/issues prompted this study?
 What is the author saying?
 What are the main points?
Critical Analysis of the Academic Journal Article (5 marks)
 What evidence does the author use (scientific or non-scientific)?
 What is the author’s point of view, theoretical perspective, or bias?
 What are the strengths and limitations of this article?
 Do you agree with the author’s conclusions? Why or why not?
Sociological Concepts and Issues (5 marks)
 How does your research question and article relate to relevant sociological concepts and
theories?
 How does your research question and article relate to relevant current social trends and
issues at the local, national, or international community found in the popular media?
The following points are for instructor grading only.
Article Requirements and Format (5 marks)
 Article from a reputable sociological source and relevant to the research question.
 APA format: title page, typed font, and spacing.
 APA format: referencing of sources and reference page.
Organization and Writing Style (5 marks)
 Continuity, flow, congruence between points, and focused on research question.
 Language is formal, clear, and concise.
Grade ____/25
Grading Rubric
Grade ____/25