School of Social Work Homework Help

University of Southern California                                                         School of Social Work

SOWK 505

Midterm Assignment
(100 points; 35% of course grade)
Guidelines
The purpose of the midterm assignment is to integrate course material from both SOWK 503 and SOWK 505 into one coherent paper.  You will be expected to write a comprehensive theoretical analysis of a fictional character from a bio-psycho-social, social work perspective, including a discussion of person-in-environment theoretical concepts as well as theories of personality and development.  Each paper will focus on the main character of the novel.  If your novel has several main characters, please confirm your selected character with your instructor.  You will be writing about one character throughout the entire paper.  Your paper should include the following sections:

1.    Section 1: Case Description:
Start the paper with a succinct, but adequate, case description. Your case write-up should describe the main character and contain the following subheadings:
•    Identifying information.   This section may include a general description and relevant information of the main character.
•    Current Situation.  This section may include the main character’s current environment, their community, family life, work, etc.
•    Family of Origin.  This section may include family history, relationships (either past or present) with family members, family dynamics, family life cycle, etc.
•    Biological Development and History.  This section may include medical history, past or current illnesses, developmental milestones, etc.
•    Social Development and History.  This section may include education, significant relationships, interests, social networks, and significant life events, etc.
•    Strengths.  This section should include an overview of the main character’s strengths.

This section should be approximately 2 pages in length.

2.    Section 2: Identity Formation in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood
One of the main psychological tasks of adolescence and young adulthood is the process of identity formation.  Discuss the process of the main character’s identity development in the context of their environmental, family, and peer influences, as well as their exploration and awareness of gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or culture, using examples from the book.

Present an in depth discussion on one theoretical model of identity formation (you may not use Erikson) that best explain the character’s construction of self.

This section should approximately be 2 pages in length.

3.    Section 3: Attachment and Relationships
Attachment relationships are central to emotional and social well being throughout the life cycle. Discuss the attachment system of your character during adulthood.  Include consideration of gender, culture, sexual orientation, etc.

This section should be approximately 2 pages in length.

4.    Section 4: Social Issues
Identify one social issue as portrayed in your novel (e.g.: slavery, oppression, housing, immigration, healthcare, etc.) and explore how this social issue uniquely affects your character during adulthood.

This section should be approximately 2 pages in length.

Throughout the paper, provide conceptual and empirical evidence to support your arguments, referencing a minimum of 12 scholarly works, at least 3 of which must be outside materials (i.e., not on any SOWK syllabus).  The paper should be 8-10 pages in length (not counting references or title page), double-spaced, with 1-inch margins on all sides.  Use citation and referencing styles as specified in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA style).

The evaluation of the paper will be based on whether you aIDressed all aspects of the assignment, the appropriate use of the theoretical concepts you have chosen and the strength of your analysis, the quality of your written work (organization, flow, clarity, grammar, spelling), and the correct application of APA style.

The deadline to submit the assignment by as discussed in class (Tuesday versus Thursday)

Papers not received by the deadline will lose half a grade for each day they are late.