Choose ONE of the following questions:

1) To what extent are race and ethnicity socially constructed categories, versus something fundamentally real in society? Give an example incorporating historical evidence of the social construction of race that supports your points.

or

2) Explore the meaning of "minority" in discussing whether women can be considered as a minority group.

Course Objectives:

The Week Two forum will develop your ability to do the following:

Course Objective One

Identify specific social problems and their cause-effect patterns.

Course Objective Five

Illustrate how the sociological process enables us to identify various social concerns.

Course Objective Six

Explain the role of culture in identifying social issues as problems.

Course Objective Seven

Apply sociological theories to explain the occurrence and scope of these problems.

Instructions for all Forums:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week. This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world. Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.

To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week. All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills.

To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required. Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly. If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.

Points

Exemplary

Accomplished

Developing

Beginning

Not Participating

Comprehension of course materials

Initial post demonstrates rich comprehension of course materials. Detailed use of terminology or examples learned in class. If post includes opinion, it is supported with evaluated evidence.

Initial post demonstrates clear comprehension of course materials. Use of terminology or examples learned in class. If post includes opinion, it is supported with evaluated evidence.

Initial post demonstrates some comprehension of course materials. Specific terminology or examples learned in class may be incorrect or incomplete. Post may include some opinion without evaluated evidence.

Initial post does not demonstrate comprehension of course materials. Specific terminology or examples learned in class are not included. Post is opinion based without evaluated evidence.

No posting, post is off topic, post does not meet minimum criteria for demonstrating beginning level of comprehension. Post may be plagiarized, or use a high percentage of quotes that prevent demonstration of student's comprehension.

Real world application of knowledge

Initial post demonstrates that the learner can creatively and uniquely apply the concepts and examples learned in class to a personal or professional experience from their life or to a current event.

Initial post demonstrates that the learner can apply the concepts and examples learned in class to a personal or professional experience from their life or to a current event.

Initial post does not clearly demonstrate that the learner can apply the concepts and examples learned in class. Unclear link between the concepts and examples learned in class to personal or professional experience or to a current event.

Initial post does not demonstrate that the learner can apply the concepts and examples learned in class. No link to a personal or professional experience or to a current event is made in the post.

No posting, post is off topic, post does not meet minimum criteria for demonstrating beginning level of application. Post may be plagiarized, or use a high percentage of quotes that prevent demonstration of student's ability to apply comprehension.