identify and explain one underlying ideology that justifies the absence of help for mothers

Soc. 111AC

Midterm 2 Grading Criteria

When grading your essays we will be looking for two things:  first, have you been able to identify and explain one underlying ideology that justifies the absence of help for mothers?  Second, can you show how this ideological principal is evident in the experiences of both middle-class and lower-income mothers?  We do not expect a comprehensive explanation of all the points given below, but we do expect you to provide evidence of learning in terms of your ability to explain and concisely cover the course content most relevant to your argument.

1. Title should capture an aspect of your major argument

1. Make sure you post the word count on the top left side of the first page.

III.  Introduction:  Is there a clear, identifiable ideological principle behind the

absence of laws/social policies to ease the challenges of  mothering (parenting)?

1. The writer has identified a major social ideology that leads to inadequate social policy protections for mothers (parents)
2. The writer has explained some of the underlying elements of this ideology
3. for example, if discussing the “ethos of individualism”, the writer would

explain how this viewpoint understands the relationship between

individuals and society and the relationship between individual behavior

(like a work ethic) and where one ends up in society

2. An excellent argument would be able to identify underlying ideologies that

shape the experience of motherhood for both middle-class and working-

class/poor mothers

1. By the end of the introduction, the reader has some idea of how the overarching

argument will guide the subsequent content of the essay

1. Body: Do the individual paragraphs provide evidence that support the overarching argument?
2. Brief description of challenges facing middle-class mothers;

for example, some issues you could address include:

1. What kinds of support do mothers need?
2. What are some barriers mothers in the professions face at work?
3. What are some of the consequence (economic, social, psychological) for not having social policies that protect working mothers?
4. Include some of the costs to stay-at home mothers
5. Brief description of challenges facing poor and working-class mothers
6. why poor mothers seek public assistance
7. welfare policies (TANF) as a response to poor mothers’ situations
8. working conditions/wages for low-income workers
9. childcare issues
10. Make sure it is clear that even though the particular problems facing middle-

class and working-class/poor mothers may differ, they are all the result of the

overarching ideology you have described in your intro

1. Your essay should have multiple references to the various scholars we have read

1. Conclusion
2. Offers a clearer understanding of the thesis put forth in the introduction
3. Helps us better understand the negative consequences arising from ideologies that denigrate the importance of raising children

Other notes:

Pay attention to clarity and writing style.  Short essays that must cover much material need to go through several drafts before you find the best way to explain your argument and supporting evidence.  Come to office hours, email copies of your thesis paragraph to Professor Kelsey, go to the drop-in hours with the writing tutor at the Student Learning Center.  Check your word count and post it on the top left side of the first page of your essay.

Some of you have expressed concerns about finding “creative voice.” “Creative voice” does not mean that we expect a highly unique or original argument—especially given that this is a short essay with a very specific prompt.   Rather, students who have truly understood the content of the course material should be able to write in a way that makes it clear that they are expressing ideas in their own words—not borrowing undigested words/phrases from the lectures or the prompt itself.

The essay should include many in-text references to the scholars we have read rather than to the lectures, (e.g., if the power points describe information from Flat Broke With Children, cite Hayes, not the power point lectures given by Prof. Kelsey).

The word limit on this letter is 1500 words.  You may go over the word limit by another 150 words (1650 total), but we will deduct points if essays exceed 1650 words.  Trust me on this:  your long essay will be stronger if you edit it to the recommended word length.

Note:  All essays submitted to b-course are reviewed by TURNITIN—an anti-plagiarism software system that compares your essay to all scholarly works as well as to work submitted by previous students in this class.  Make sure that you express your ideas in your own words.  Students who plagiarize a paper may be given an F on the assignment or an F for the entire class and be subject to further university discipline.