Assignment 1 Contrasting theories Summarising and critiquing two explanatory theories
In this assignment each student will summarise and critique critical theory with one of the other two explanatory theories that have been presented i.e., psychodynamic or ecosystems. The aim is to briefly compare the two chosen theories and then show how applying them together influences how you see a case scenario (chosen from the alternatives provided below).
SWP4APA Sociology essay-La Trobe University Australia.
The assignment that you hand in must be your own original work. That said, in class students will undertake a small group-based enquiry that will be of assistance in preparing the individual assignments. Further details will be provided. You can use case scenarios from any of the three weeks (see examples below).
Words: 1500 (10% allowance)
Criteria for marking this assessment:
1.Summary of two explanatory theories, nomination of key authors
2.Comparison of the two explanatory theories – highlighting similarities and differences
3.Evidence of ability to contrast the application of the two explanatory theories to one of the case scenarios.
4.Evidence of fluency in writing and proof reading.
Please select ONE of the following case scenarios for your first assessment.
Scenario 1: Kate
Kate who is 35 has just been made redundant from her job as a receptionist in a medical surgery.Her husband, George, while regretting the loss of income is hoping she will stay at home and look after their children who are now 8.6 and 4. He does earn significantly more and often compares their family life which does feel very busy for both of them to his family of origin where his mother stayed home, and everything seemed to run more smoothly. Kate has been feeling very depressed since losing her job and thinks this loss is her own fault relating to her lack of education. She left school as soon as she could, couldn’t see the point and now regrets it, feeling she doesn’t have much to offer in the workplace and won’t be much help to her children. Her own parents who are much older than George’s also want her to stay home so she can look after them; her father has the beginnings of dementia and her mother has significant arthritis. George comes from an Italian background and has very strong commitment to family; Kate would describe her family as much less connected and she sometimes finds George’s family restricting. She can also see if they have less income, she and George will never be able to do the things they have wanted to do and she will have to spend a lot of time doing things to save money. She is worried about how they will manage on one income. She felt so flat she talked to her GP who referred him to a mental health social worker.
SWP4APA Sociology essay-La Trobe University Australia.
Scenario 2: Fred
Fred (40) was widowed soon after his wife Marita gave birth to their daughter Suzanne. As an only Child himself, Fred thought it was normal for him and Suzanne (6) to spend a lot of time quietly at home together. His parents had died when he was in his twenties, so he had few relations, none living in the same state. Marita’s parents Josie and Ray thought he was strange, in their family, the extended family lived in the same neighbourhood and were in and out of each other’s houses. Her family lived on the other side of the state from Fred, so he only saw them, on average, once a year.Suzanne likes to be at home with Fred, though she is used to having to go somewhere else during the day while Fred is at work – was to childcare, now she goes to school as she is six. Fred and Suzanne don’t do anything else socially and say they are contented just being together, though Suzanne does sometimes play with her friend, Chris. A month ago, Chris’ mother, Sarah, who is divorced invited Fred and Suzanne to have lunch with them on Sunday. They went and enjoyed the lunch, but afterwards Suzanne told Fred that she thought it would be good if he married Sarah. Fred didn’t know how to handle this and so has come to see you.
SWP4APA Sociology essay-La Trobe University Australia.
Scenario 3: Mary
Mary (25) has three boys aged 2, 5 and 7 who all reside in in foster care who she sees weekly and a baby girl of 6 months. Their father Patrick is in prison for robbery. She has a history of mental illness and is currently trying new medication and mindfulness therapy. Mary’s parents died in a bush fire six years ago and she still misses their support. She feels very isolated, is angry with the system and Patrick. She is also struggling to keep up with her rent – she lives in a Ministry of Housing flat. The foster family who she gets on very well with live an hour and a half away on public transport and it’s stressful getting there with the baby. She feels she has to see you, a family support worker to have any chance of having her children return to her care. Mary feels anxious about taking public transport as she has experienced significant bullying on the school bus, she was younger. Her experienced bullying caused her to leave school at age 14, Mary is still embarrassed about this and has a strong desire to en roll in some sort of education.