1. Position Paper
75 points

2. Position Paper Overview
Debatable topic
Take a position/stand on ONE side
Given articles to read
Use research from the textbook
Grading rubric

3. Assignment Intro Marriage: provides structure provides meaning
social arrangement (American history)
provides structure
provides meaning
marks entry into adulthood:
gain economic independence from parents
leave the family home
engage in sexual activity
make their own families

4. Assignment Intro Continued
Traditional gender roles provide scripts:
Work (both inside and outside the home) divided between spouses
How children are raised
Over the last 60 years we have seen major shifts in marriage
What these changes will mean for the future of families:
Are those changes working against families?
Are they signs of increased diversity and a need to think more broadly about what family life means?

5. Assignment Topic
For this assignment you will need to reflect on these issues and take a stand on one side of the argument:
“Families” are becoming stronger
“Families” are weakening

6. Assignment Instructions
Read assigned articles (will be available electronically through BB)
After reading articles, determine which side of the debate you align yourself with.
Using textbook, find four or more additional pieces of research/information that further supports the position (beyond what is described in the articles themselves).

7. Paper Details Your position papers must be: APA Format***
Two to three pages in length
12-point font
Times New Roman font
Double-spaced lines
Standard one-inch margins on all sides
In-text citations MUST include information from:
All articles
4 textbook research/information that further supports the position

8. Paper Details Continued
Be sure to include the following (APA format):
Title page
Running head
Page numbers
In-text citations of fact-based information
Reference page

9. Assignment Points The full assignment is worth 75 total points:
65 points (paper)
10 points (in-class activity)

10. Grading Rubric Created by FMST Assessment Committee
You will submit paper assignment through Blackboard using SafeAssign
This will automatically happen when you submit
Let’s take a look….

11. Due Date
Thursday
March 14
11:00am