- Using research evidence from peer-reviewed literature and credible websites, provide a thorough description of the problem, how it is defined, and what impact it has on individuals, families, and communities in our society.
- Critically describe who is affected by the problem and other relevant demographic information about those affected. Pay particular attention to how social problems are differentially felt by distinct communities or by distinct demographic groups (e.g., race/ethnicity; immigrant/refugee communities; under-resourced communities; gender; developmental age group, etc.)
- Provide a thoughtful discussion about the perceived “winners and losers” in how this social problem is defined and/or manifested.
- Briefly name and identify the federal policy that addresses this social problem. Students do NOT need to describe the policy at length (1 paragraph is sufficient) because that will form the focus of the second part of this semester project. It is likely that the federal policy that aligns with this social problem will be (or has been) discussed in the course; it is fine to use policies discussed in the course, though students are also permitted to explore other germane federal policies that have not received as much (or any) focus in class. Please bear in mind that the federal policy must fit the social problem.