Written Assignment

(30% of total grade)

Due date: Weeks 6 & 14

Purpose: The main purpose of this assignment is to allow for students to research a topic of their
choice from the course learning and prepare a written paper.

Skills: The purpose of this assignment is to help you practice the following skills that are essential to
your success in this course / in school / in this field / in professional life beyond school:

• Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

• Locate, select, organize and document information using appropriate technology and
information systems.
• Analyze, evaluate and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.
• Provide holistic, client-centered, gender-based, culturally relevant assessments and
interventions to individuals, groups and families within social and cultural contexts across the
lifespan.

Task: Select a topic from the course outline and compose a written paper. Take a stance on the topic;
explaining why it is either a positive or negative. Please include the following criteria throughout:

1) Describe specific treatment approaches as indicated by your knowledge and research that are proven
effective for the chosen subject – explain how the treatment approach is holistic; it doesn't have to be
one single approach.

2) History and statistics related to the given subject

3) How does the chosen topic relate to other subjects that were covered during different weeks of the
semester?

4) Consider intersectionality & what role does stigma play in relation to the chosen topic?

5) What differences are there with how the topic is treated/viewed in the Western world vs. where you
were born & raised/where you went to school/where you practiced?

6) Were there any new discoveries through your research that led you to change your personal
perspective on the topic?

Criteria for Success:

• For essay assignments, please do not exceed 3 pages for this assignment (not including the
bibliography)
• Use APA citations where appropriate and ensure you have a works cited page at the end of all
your work
 • Try to use as much Canadian scholarly articles and sources of information as you can

Rubric
CONTENT & ANALYSIS ORGANIZATION LANGUAGE CITATION

5 Arguments and/or 5 Ideas are effectively 5 Minimal errors with 5 Sources are cited correctly
claims clearly organized with all grammar, and great use of a intext and on references
explained and required sections and variety of sentence page. Sources are
wellsupported. use a variety of linking structures. Good use of academically credible and
Demonstrates clear devices. Requires no highlevel vocabulary items. placed well. Clear attention to
examples of critical effort. Register consistently formatting is evident.
thinking and complex appropriate to the purpose
understanding of the and audience. Welldeveloped
topic. control of language.

4 Arguments and/or 4 Ideas clearly organized 4 Few problems with grammar, 4 Sources are mostly cited
claims are mostly with all the required and a good use of a variety correctly in-text and on
explained well but sections and use of sentence structures. Some references page. Sources are
with some confusion suitable linking devices. use of highlevel vocabulary mostly useful and placed
in places. Some claims Requires only a little items. Register overall well. Formatting was
lacking support. effort. appropriate to the purpose successful with minimal
Demonstrates some and audience. errors.
examples of critical
thinking.
3 Some arguments 3 Ideas adequately 3 Some problems with 3 Some problems with citing
and/or claims organized, with most of grammar, adequate use of a sources in-text and on
explained well but the required sections, variety of sentence references page. Some
confusion is apparent. and use simple linking structures and vocabulary. sources are not useful or
Demonstrates some devices. Requires some Reasonable, if not always placed well. Formatting still
examples of critical effort. successful attempt at needs focus and revision.
thinking. register and format.

2 Major problems with 2 Ideas are inadequately 2 Major problems with 2 Major problems with citation
the development of organized, with few grammar with several errors forms. Most sources are
ideas, arguments or clear sections, and that can be distracting. questionable and not useful
claims. There are few linking devices are rarely Simple sentence structures or placed well. Formatting
or no connections used. Requires are used too often, and more not attempted or has too
made between facts considerable effort. varied vocabulary items are many errors.
and ideas. Little or no needed. Unsuccessful
support given for attempts at appropriate
claims made. Critical register.
thinking is not shown
or claims not made.
1 Insufficient or no 1 Lack of organization 1 Significant problems with 1 Sources are not cited
development of ideas, with no clearly defined grammar with frequent correctly. Not enough
arguments or claims. sections and linking errors that obscure meaning. sources are used or
No connections are devices. Requires Simple sentence structures mentioned. No attention to
made between facts excessive effort. used frequently. Little or no formatting made.
and ideas. No awareness of appropriate
evidence of critical register.
thinking.
Comments:
Score:

Academic Integrity Policies

All plagiarized work will be marked "0" with no opportunities of resubmission.