Due by end of day on Week 15
You will select a social problem, related to poverty, inequality, or discrimination, that is of particular interest to you and write a blog post or an Op-Ed (opinion) piece for a social work blog or online outlet. This post will describe the social problem and advocate for a particular policy position with regards to this social problem. The post should be clear and concise no more than two single-spaced pages (no more than 800 words) and should contain the following elements:
Definition and description of the social problem and the population whom it affects, including brief description of the scope of the problem
Use of data to describe social problem
Description of the proposed policy (or modification of an existing policy) and its potential to address the social problem and the affected population
Discussion of how the proposed policy (or modification of an existing policy) contributes to the advancement of human rights and racial, social, economic, and/or environmental justice and its potential to improve the well-being of the affected population
Use of examples from field placement, work, or personal life to humanize the problem and the potential policy solution
Explain why social workers should care about this issue.
Be well-written, with proper language, grammar, mechanics, and structure
Include citations to academic articles, newspapers, or other resources on a separate page (not included in the 800 words)
Sample outlets and sample pieces for this type of work:
The Medium
https://medium.com/@alandettlaff/affirming-the-call-for-social-work-to-fully-support-defunding-the-police-8a2e3b370e5 (Links to an external site.)
The New Socialworker: https://www.socialworker.com/ (Links to an external site.)
https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/practice/call-to-social-workers-act-against-racism-white-supremacy/ (Links to an external site.)
NJ Star Ledger – opinion section: https://www.nj.com/opinion/ (Links to an external site.)
https://www.nj.com/opinion/2020/10/put-people-over-profits-affordable-housing-needs-over-greed-opinion.html (Links to an external site.)
Scholars Strategy Network policy briefs (more academic and research-focused)
https://scholars.org/briefs (Links to an external site.)
Helpful instructions for writing these types of pieces:
The Op-Ed Project
https://www.theopedproject.org/oped-basics (Links to an external site.)
Harvard: how to write an oped
https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/hks-communications-program/files/new_seglin_how_to_write_an_oped_1_25_17_7.pdf (Links to an external site.)
Research to Action: How to plan,write, and communicate an effective policy brief: Three steps to success
https://www.researchtoaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/PBWeekLauraFCfinal.pdf (Links to an external site.)
Duke University Writing Effective Op-Eds
https://commskit.duke.edu/writing-media/writing-effective-op-eds/ (Links to an external site.)
The Learning Agency: Writing an Oped-The ABCs
https://www.the-learning-agency.com/insights/write-an-op-ed (Links to an external site.)
Smith College, Op-Ed Guidelines
https://www.smith.edu/about-smith/college-relations/news-office/op-ed-guidelines (Links to an external site.)
UNC: How to Write a Policy Brief
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/policy-briefs/ (Links to an external site.)
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