For this assignment, you will create a public-facing sociology piece designed for a real audience beyond the classroom.

Format:

• Op-Ed

Your work should draw on materials from the past several weeks, including your research, legislation exploration, pitch, and the original photos you gathered in Week 6.

Important Guidelines (Read First)

• This must be your own writing.
• Do NOT use AI to write, draft, or generate this assignment.
• AI may be used only to troubleshoot, organize, or clarify your thinking (see guidelines below).
• All photos must be taken by you. Do not use images taken by others.
• All photos must include captions explaining how they connect to your sociological issue.
• Use course materials (readings, legislation, news, prior assignments) to support your work.

AI Use: What Is and Is Not Allowed

You MAY use AI to:

• Help you organize ideas or outline sections
• Clarify the structure of an op-ed
• Troubleshoot questions like:
• Is my argument clear?
• Am I repeating myself?
• Does this flow logically?

Example allowed prompt:

I have written my own draft. Can you help me check whether my main argument is clear and suggest where I might reorganize sections? Do not rewrite anything.

You MAY NOT use AI to:

• Write paragraphs, sentences, or scripts for you
• Generate hooks, conclusions, or transitions
• Rewrite your work in a different tone or style

What you submit must reflect your voice, your structure, and your decisions.

Choose ONE Option Below

Option 1: Op-Ed

An op-ed is a short, persuasive piece written for a newspaper or public outlet.

Requirements

• 8001,000 words
• Written for a general public audience
• Takes a clear position or argument
• Uses evidence from course readings, legislation, and news
• Includes at least two original photos with captions

Submission

• Upload as a PDF or Word document
• At the top, indicate the outlet you are writing for
• Embed photos with captions

Example (for guidance only)

This op-ed argues that recent housing legislation in California overlooks the everyday consequences of enforcement policies. Drawing on state bills discussed earlier in the course and a photo of posted parking restrictions near a shelter, the piece connects policy language to lived realities. The photos help readers visualize how policy decisions shape public space.

File Upload Rules (Important)

• Submit one main file only
• Accepted formats:
• PDF
• Word (.doc or .docx)
• Video file (.mp4 preferred)
• All photos must be embedded in the document or video
• Do not submit external links instead of files

Citations & Attribution (Op-Ed and Blog Only)

• Formal APA citations are not required
• Use clear attribution through hyperlinks or in-text references
• Photos do not need citations (they are your own) but must have captions

Accessibility

If you need an alternative format or accommodation, contact me.

Final Note

This assignment is about public sociologyusing your voice, your perspective, and your evidence to communicate sociological ideas clearly to people outside the classroom. AI can help you think, but the work must be yours.

Assignment Five Rubric (50 Points Total)

Each category is worth 10 points.

This rubric emphasizes clarity, evidence, and public impact, not perfection. Strong public sociology communicates ideas clearly and responsibly to non-academic audiences.

1. Clarity & Focus of the Public Message (10 points)

• Excellent (10):
• The issue is clearly defined, focused, and easy for a general audience to understand; the central message is consistent throughout.
• Good (8):
• The issue is clear but could be more tightly focused or consistently framed.
• Satisfactory (6):
• The issue is identifiable, but the message is somewhat vague or uneven.
• Limited (4):
• The issue is unclear, unfocused, or shifts throughout the piece.
• Needs Improvement (2):
• No clear public-facing message or issue is presented.

2. Use of Evidence & Course Materials (10 points)

• Excellent (10):
• Effectively integrates materials from previous weeks (research, legislation, news, or course readings) to support claims.
• Good (8):
• Uses course materials appropriately, though connections could be stronger or more specific.
• Satisfactory (6):
• Mentions relevant materials but with limited explanation or integration.
• Limited (4):
• Minimal or unclear use of course materials.
• Needs Improvement (2):
• Little to no evidence or connection to course materials.

3. Visuals & Captions (Required for All Formats) (10 points)

• Excellent (10):
• Includes required original photos with clear, thoughtful captions that strengthen the public message.
• Good (8):
• Includes original photos with captions that are relevant but somewhat underdeveloped.
• Satisfactory (6):
• Photos and captions are present but mostly descriptive or loosely connected.
• Limited (4):
• Photos or captions are missing, unclear, or weakly connected to the topic.
• Needs Improvement (2):
• Photos or captions are missing or do not meet assignment requirements.

4. Public Sociology & Audience Awareness (10 points)

• Excellent (10):
• Writing or presentation is well suited for a public audience; tone, structure, and format match the chosen platform.
• Good (8):
• Audience awareness is clear, though tone or format could be better aligned.
• Satisfactory (6):
• Some attention to audience, but writing or presentation is uneven or partially academic.
• Limited (4):
• Limited consideration of audience or platform.
• Needs Improvement (2):
• No clear awareness of audience or public purpose.

5. Authorship, Integrity & Assignment Guidelines (10 points)

• Excellent (10):
• Work is clearly student-authored; AI used only for allowed troubleshooting/organization; all guidelines followed.
• Good (8):
• Mostly student-authored with minor guideline issues.
• Satisfactory (6):
• Authorship appears student-based, but AI use or guidelines are unclear.
• Limited (4):
• Concerns about over-reliance on AI or multiple guideline violations.
• Needs Improvement (2):
• Clear misuse of AI or failure to follow core assignment rules.

use the attached files to help with this assignment