human sexuality

Purpose: to critically analyze a human sexuality current event and how it can influence individuals, communities, and society.
•    See the background information and guidelines for a full description.
•    See the grading rubric below for a guide to how papers will be graded.

Formatting (5 pts; part of “organization/formatting”): Feel free to use the sample provided as it guides a student through the writing process and is APA formatted.
•    Minimum of 2 FULL, double-spaced pages of writing (See “Sample Formatted Paper”). Since you do not need a title page, only include 1 line at the top with your name and then the next line should be the title of your paper. Do not include the course name, date, faculty/instructor name, etc.
•    12-pt, New Times Roman font with 1” margins (this is APA formatting).
•    Word or PDF document (not .pages)
•    Proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation
•    APA citations and reference list (title page and abstract are not needed) – please use this resource to assure your citations and reference list are APA format.
•    NOTE: you should have 2-3 sources for your main points, at a minimum.(this is important, thank you)

Independent Paper

Background information: Your generation is living through a historical time. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on 2 major cases (United States vs. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry) regarding same-sex rights/benefits at a state (California) and federal level (DOMA). Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, which stems from Ohio and includes 3 additional cases (Tanco v. Haslam, Tennessee; DeBoer v. Snyder, Michigan; and Bourke v. Beshear, Kentucky). Arguments for Obergefell v. Hodges were presented on 28 April 2015 and a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court was announced in late June 2015.

Some compare the recent case to the Civil Rights (e.g., Brown v. Board of Education II, 1954; and Browder v. Gayle, 1956; etc.) and Women’s Rights (e.g., Griswold v. Connecticut, 1965; Reed v. Reed, 1971; Eisenstadt v. Baird, 1972; etc.) cases that have occurred in the past. All of these cases have affected individuals, communities, and society, in some way shape or form. For instance, if the Civil Rights cases were not upheld or the decision in the cases were against Civil Rights, then we would (hypothetically) still be living in a segregated society (e.g., on buses, in jobs, washrooms, restaurants, in school, etc.) – consider how that might affect you and your views about race currently. In addition, if the Griswold v. Connecticut decision were in favor of Connecticut, then the use of contraceptives would (hypothetically) still be unavailable to any person (whether married or unmarried) – consider how that might affect you; the communities we live in; and society (e.g., population growth, morality around sexuality/premarital sex, etc.). Since major cases like these have affected many people, communities, and our society, it is important to take a critical look at how this recent case could affect these entities as well.

Guidelines:

No matter what your views are on same-sex marriage/relationships, research the U.S. Supreme Court case of Obergefell v. Hodges that was ruled on in July (e.g., arguments for both sides). Through your research, past cases, and course material, use critical thinking to answer the following questions:

1.    Provide a brief introduction to the paper (less than a half a page). (2.5 points; part of “organization/formatting”)
2.    Discuss and critically analyze at least 1 way the ruling for Obergefell v. Hodgesmay influence individuals in the U.S. (e.g., you, your friends, heterosexuals, GLBTQA, children/adolescents, elderly, etc.)? (10 points)
3.    Discuss and critically analyze at least 1 way the ruling in Obergefell v. Hodgesmay influence communities in the U.S. (e.g., schools, community centers, PDA, schools, universities, etc.)? (10 points)
4.    Discuss at least 1 way a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges may influence U.S. society/Federal level (e.g., federal law, policies, taxes, etc.)? (10 points)
5.    Provide a conclusion on the above 3 points. (2.5 points; part of “organization/formatting”)

NOTE: I am providing you examples of what constitutes “individual,” “communities,” and “societal.” I do not want you to discuss each of these examples provided, rather research one of each and delve deeper. If you try to touch on each of the examples provided then you will not do well on this assignment as you will not be critically thinking about the topic.

NOTE: Grading rubric is on the next page.

Independent Paper Grading Rubric

10    8    6    4-0
INFLUENCE ON INDIVIDUALS

?    Reflects strong evidence of critical thinking related to the case outcome influencing individuals.    ?    Reflects evidence of critical thinking related to the case outcome influencing individuals.    ?    Reflects some evidence of critical thinking related to the case outcome influencing individuals.    ?    Reflects little evidence of critical thinking related to the case outcome influencing individuals

10    8    6    4-0
INFLUENCE ON COMMUNITITES    ?    Reflects strong evidence of critical thinking related to the case outcome influencing communities.     ?    Reflects evidence of critical thinking related to the case outcome influencing communities.    ?    Reflects some evidence of critical thinking related to the case outcome influencing communities.    ?    Reflects little evidence of critical thinking related to the case outcome influencing communities

10    8    6    4-0
INFLUENCE ON SOCITETY    •    Reflects strong evidence of critical thinking related to the case outcome influencing society.    •    Reflects evidence of critical thinking related to the case outcome influencing communities.    •    Reflects some evidence of critical thinking related to the case outcome influencing communities.    •    Reflects little evidence of critical thinking related to the case outcome influencing communities
10    8    6    4-0
ORGANIZATION (including intro and conclusion)/ FORMATTING    ?    Information is clearly focused in an organized and thoughtful manner, including clear introduction and summary closing paragraph.
?    No spelling, grammatical, punctuation or format errors; proper APA formatting for entire paper    ?    Information is mostly focused in an organized and thoughtful manner.
?    Less than 5 spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors
?    Slight APA errors     ?    Information is somewhat focused in an organized and thoughtful manner.
?    10 spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors
?    Consistent APA errors    ?    Information is haphazard and fragmented.
?    More than 10 spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors
?    Adherence to APA formatting was lacking or nonexistent