How do social networks influence educational processes?

Description To complete a traditional research paper, start by choosing a specific current or historical social change topic that intrigues you from the list of core causes of social change identified in class: an invention, discovery, cultural diffusion, new idea, change in the economy or politics, an environmental issue, or a social movement. Then, ask a clear and focused research question about the cause or consequence of this social change. Remember that you only have 5 pages for your paper, so it is necessary to have a specific and narrow research question rather than choosing a broad topic. For example, “What is the impact of outsourcing on customer service jobs?” is much more focused than “How has industrialization changed society?”. A general format for your question could be: How has [the cause of social change] affected the way that the [name of institution] is organized? What is the relationship between [the cause of social change] and the ways in which people have changed their attitudes or behaviors? What is the impact of [the cause of social change] on how people engage with each other at the micro and/or macro level of society? Next, your task is to use your research question to help guide your review of appropriate and relevant academic sources on the causes and/or consequences of this specific social change. In addition to utilizing and referencing the applicable theories and concepts in the Croteau & Hoynes and Gladwell course books, you are required to include at least three reputable outside research sources. Peer-reviewed academic books or articles are preferred (see below for citation formats) and sites like Wikipedia or opinion blogs do not count, nor do simplistic sources like dictionaries. Your emphasis needs to be on your academic analyses of the relationship between the causes and consequences of this change, rather than simply a description or history review of the change. Remember to consider how the social context can add complexities to this issue or how different groups (class, race, sex, etc) might be influenced differently by this social change. PAPER GUIDELINES Both choices require a term paper. Your term paper should: A) Incorporate the following: 1) An introduction of the sociological focus of your project or research, noting the general social change topic and institution it connects to, plus your overall thesis of the cause of this social change; 2) A description of your research methodology and a review of the relevance and appropriateness of your sources; 3) A summary of the social context that created the sociological conditions for this social change to occur, integrating relevant data, concepts and theories from course materials; 4) An analysis of the significant causes and consequences of this social change with a comparison of the impacts on diverse groups of people, using as many applicable sociology concepts and theories as relevant to explain the relationship between the trends;