Overview of Week
Now that you understand the importance of analyzing justice issues by looking at various disciplinary perspectives and can discern quantitative and qualitative research and methodology, the next step is to use this knowledge to find answers to your own social justice questions. This week, you will frame a precise social justice question—what do you think is an important social justice question of our day? You should choose a social justice issue that you have not considered in depth. Once you have framed a precise question, you will then consider which three liberal arts perspectives you will choose to respond to your research question. You will form a thesis, and then create topic sentences that connect your liberal arts perspectives to your social justice question. In other words, the purpose of this research essay is to analyze a social justice issue through the perspective of three liberal arts disciplines.
As we move along in the course, we will depend on each other to kindly challenge and offer support, as we research, write and present. The Discussion Board will become particularly important to our learning community as we move forward.
We will address the following course outcomes this week:
Introduction to Learning Video
Now that you understand the importance of analyzing justice issues by looking at various disciplinary perspectives and can discern quantitative and qualitative research and methodology, the next step is to use this knowledge to find answers to your own social justice questions. This week, you will frame a precise social justice question—what do you think is an important social justice question of our day? You should choose a social justice issue that you have not considered in depth. Once you have framed a precise question, you will then consider which three liberal arts perspectives you will choose to respond to your research question. You will form a thesis, and then create topic sentences that connect your liberal arts perspectives to your social justice question. In other words, the purpose of this research essay is to analyze a social justice issue through the perspective of three liberal arts disciplines.
As we move along in the course, we will depend on each other to kindly challenge and offer support, as we research, write and present. The Discussion Board will become particularly important to our learning community as we move forward.
We will address the following course outcomes this week:
- Apply an understanding of social justice, as an active member of the St. Catherine community of scholars, with a particular focus on dismantling systemic racism
- Apply knowledge and skills, using various perspectives from the liberal arts traditions, women-centered scholarly work and Catholic social teaching
- Apply excellent critical thinking, critical reading and scholarly writing skills (including excellence in sentence level fluency, organization, voice and audience)
Introduction to Learning Video
Critically Read, Watch and Annotate:
Critical Thinking Questions:
Research and Write:
2. Thesis (This sentence should respond to your social justice question and provide the big picture of your essay.)
3. Topic sentence #1 (Connect a liberal arts perspective to your research question in one complex/compound sentence.
4. Topic sentence #2 (Connect a second liberal arts perspective to your research question in one complex/compound sentence.)
5. Topic sentence #3 (Connect a third liberal arts perspective to your research question in one complex/compound sentence.)
6. Concluding sentence (Write your initial thoughts on your conclusion.)
7. Reference page (List your six sources in APA citation.)
Post:
1. In one document under Week 8 Assignments, your research question, your five-sentence outline, and your six references.
2. Your 6-10 sentence response to Critical Thinking Question #1 on the Discussion Board, and respond to 2-3 members of your learning community with 4-8 sentences.
- How to Frame a Precise Research Question
- How to Find Excellent Sources
- How to Write a Strong Thesis
- A Model Research Question and Sentence Outline
- A Model Research Question and Sentence Outline Presentation
- Online TRW Library Orientation
Critical Thinking Questions:
- The Sisters of St. Joseph work to meet the needs of the time. What are the most urgent needs of our time?
- What words can you choose in your research question to create the most precise question?
- Why are you interested in your research topic?
Research and Write:
- A precise research question. (Your research question should not be about physician-assisted suicide, clean water access, abortion, or the death penalty, as you will have research projects about these topics in other courses.) Choose a social justice issue that you have not previously considered in depth.
- Six strong sources from at least three different liberal arts perspectives to support your response to your research question. You should include at least three articles from scholarly journals as your sources, or one for each disciplinary perspective you write about. Refer to this chart for specific examples of liberal arts disciplines.
- A thesis, three topic sentences, and a concluding sentence responding to your social justice question, addressed from your three liberal arts perspectives. This is essentially a sentence outline for your research paper. This is the format of your writing for this week:
2. Thesis (This sentence should respond to your social justice question and provide the big picture of your essay.)
3. Topic sentence #1 (Connect a liberal arts perspective to your research question in one complex/compound sentence.
4. Topic sentence #2 (Connect a second liberal arts perspective to your research question in one complex/compound sentence.)
5. Topic sentence #3 (Connect a third liberal arts perspective to your research question in one complex/compound sentence.)
6. Concluding sentence (Write your initial thoughts on your conclusion.)
7. Reference page (List your six sources in APA citation.)
Post:
1. In one document under Week 8 Assignments, your research question, your five-sentence outline, and your six references.
2. Your 6-10 sentence response to Critical Thinking Question #1 on the Discussion Board, and respond to 2-3 members of your learning community with 4-8 sentences.