Develop a paper which addresses an issue of social justice which is relevant to the development and education of children and adolescents and their families (e.g. healthcare, minimum/living wage, immigration, violence/neglect, substance abuse / addiction, homelessness). You should select an outside reading book or a documentary to inform your paper. The film you select must be a documentary. A “docu-drama” or popular movie are NOT acceptable.
a. Identify a social justice topic of interest (your choice of an outside reading book should be related to this topic in some way).
b. In the first part of your paper you are expected to offer a critical analysis of the content of the book you read, adding personal experiences/reflections. It is very important that you do not summarize the content of the text, but that you respond to the theories, experiences and ideas relayed. The purpose of the assignment is to engage your critical analysis of ideas presented. In addition, you are asked to comment as the educational/societal relevance of the topic to the education of children. All of your thought need not be referenced. I am interested in your opinions and critique of the reading.
c. Address the socio-political challenges of the people depicted in your outside reading. Include in your discussion incidence rates a) nationally, b) in Washington DC, and c) the surrounding (DMV) area. You should also address the public policies (a. national, b. statewide and c. city-wide, that contribute (positively or negatively) to the issues involved and the possible remedies to these circumstances (on a societal level and a personal level of its citizens). In short, what can be done to remedy or alleviate the circumstances of the people you have met through this experience?