Final Project Instructions



Purpose of Final Project

The Final Project is a “big picture” assignment that give you an opportunity to synthesize multiple course concepts into an overall thesis.  You will look beyond the confines of our course, and see how the material you’ve learned fits into the broader discipline of psychology.

Overall Theme of Final Project:  Applying social psychological principles to society

Two Options

Choose one of these options for your paper:

1. Helping, altruism, and cooperative behaviors
This option may focus on any prosocial behavior and how it might be encouraged, based on social psychological principles.  Examples include:  reducing conflict among political factions, cooperation between business and charitable organizations, promoting understanding between different religious groups, increasing volunteerism in local communities, or equitable distribution of school tax revenue among low- and high-income communities. These are only examples – you are free to choose other subjects.
 

2. The costs of prejudice and discrimination
This option may focus on any of the societal costs of prejudice and discrimination.  Examples include:  real estate redlining, intergenerational wealth, unemployment and ageism, unemployment and racism, sexist design of social security benefits, unequal access to healthcare, etc.  These are only examples – you are free to choose other subjects.
     


Course Materials for Final Project

You may use any of the readings or other course materials for this project.  It is not limited to any particular textbook chapters or Lessons.  Also, you will use research from outside sources that you have located and selected to support your work. (Remember the Austin Community College guide for writing references in APA Style.)

 

How to Submit

Your Final Project will be submitted in Brightspace.  After Lesson 6, there is a Final Project module, with a link to the instructions and a place to submit your assignment.

If you write about another person, get his/her permission before revealing names or other identifying information.  Or you can refer to the person by initials (not name). 

Instructions for Final Project

Your Final Project should be a well-written and supported term paper.  Choose your option (from above) and then select a more specific subject.  Once you have selected a subject, begin researching material from our textbook and outside sources to describe and explain it.  You should include:

  • A beginning thesis paragraph which describes your subject and the theme of your paper.  In other words, what are you going to tell me about your subject?

  • Specific information from the textbook showing how people are affected by your subject.  Include at least five specific topics from the textbook.

  • Information from outside sources that further explains and supports the theme of your paper.  Include at least five outside reference sources (from books or the Internet).

  • Use your book and outside sources to gather information about legal, ethical, social, cultural or other considerations that might influence your subject.  Be creative – your paper may include other factors and issues, as long as they are related to your Project.  Also, feel free to incorporate more advanced concepts (from your research) that are relevant to your theme.

  • A closing paragraph, which summarizes the main points of your paper.

  • For full credit, your paper must be at least 2000 words long.

 
Grading Criteria (Full Credit = 100 points)

Your grade will be based on four types of grading criteria.  The complete description for each type is found in the Final Project grading rubric, which is attached to this assignment in Brightspace.  Before submitting your work, review the rubric to understand how points will be earned.  Here is a short version of the requirements for full credit:  

Criterion Type 1 – Assignment parameters
For full credit, your Final Project includes five textbook references, five outside sources, and is at least 2000 words long. Your five textbook topics are cited by page number (or section heading) in the paper.  Your five outside sources are cited in the paper, and listed in a correctly formatted APA or MLA bibliography.  

Criterion Type 2 – Selection of Subject and Sources
For full credit, your Final Project is based on a subject correctly selected from one (of the two) assignment options, including cross-over topics if appropriate.  Your textbook and outside references are directly relevant to your subject and support the theme of your paper. 

Criterion Type 3 – Application of Subject and Sources
For full credit, your Final Project makes substantial use of the textbook and outside reference sources.  Your paper demonstrates excellent understanding of the subject, textbook, and references.  Definitions and explanations are accurate and well-supported by your textbook and reference sources. You cite each textbook topic and outside source in specific spots in your paper, as appropriate, to support your theme.         

Criterion Type 4 – Formatting and style
For full credit, your paper is well-developed, with a beginning thesis paragraph and a final summary paragraph.  Your writing is smooth and error-free, with logical connections between thoughts and examples.  There are no spelling or grammar mistakes.  If you use an outside source that is not written in English, you have provided a translation.   

 

Plagiarism

Do not copy material from another source, unless you enclose the copied material in quotation marks and correctly identify the source.  You are allowed to quote short passages (50 words or less), but it is not required.  If you use quoted material, remember to identify the source in a bibliography at the end of your assignment.  You may use APA or MLA style for your bibliography.

Exception:  You may refer to our textbook simply by chapter and page number (or section heading).  Just put quotation marks around the passages you use, and explain that it comes from our book.  

Do not copy material from another student and submit it as your work.  Do not give your work to another student to be copied.

Do not use online “rewording” engines or purchased papers.

Do not use any form of AI to write your project.

If you engage in these behaviors, or any form of plagiarism, you will be subject to the penalties described in the course syllabus.