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BSW3702 Assignment 2 Guidelines

This document provides instructions for Assignment 2, which contributes 40% to the final mark, requiring a critical analysis of Erving Goffman's framework on stigma. The assignment must adhere to specific technical requirements, including formatting, use of academic resources, and a structured essay format with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Students are advised to avoid plagiarism, utilize appropriate sources, and follow a checklist to ensure proper presentation and content.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
17 views3 pages

BSW3702 Assignment 2 Guidelines

This document provides instructions for Assignment 2, which contributes 40% to the final mark, requiring a critical analysis of Erving Goffman's framework on stigma. The assignment must adhere to specific technical requirements, including formatting, use of academic resources, and a structured essay format with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Students are advised to avoid plagiarism, utilize appropriate sources, and follow a checklist to ensure proper presentation and content.

Uploaded by

sharinfredrik95
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Assignment 2 (Contributes 40% to the final mark)

Instructions:

• Consult Tutorial Letter SOCAL36/301/3/2023 on how to construct essay-type


questions.
• Ensure that your assignment adheres to all the technical requirements
set by the
Department.
• Plagiarism in any form is not accepted – read the section in
SOCAL36/301/3/2021 carefully in this regard since many students fail their
assignments due to plagiarism.
• In total, your assignment should be approximately 2000 words.
• Please take note of the technical requirements for this essay:
• Font type: Arial
• Font size: 12
• Line spacing: 1.5
• Paragraph alignment: Justified
• You are only allowed to use ACADEMIC resources for this assignment.
Academic
resources include books, journals, and academic, statistical, or official
websites. (Take note if a website address contains “.com” it is often not
considered academic, however, if you see “.ac”, “.edu” or “.org” in the website
address it is a more appropriate type of source.)
• You are not allowed to use Wikipedia as a source, but you can use the
“Reference list” on the Wikipedia results page(s) to help you find sources
that are relevant to your search.
• Please note “Google” is not a resource, it is a search engine that helps
you to locate resources, and thus you cannot have “Google” in your
reference list. You are supposed to reference the specific source that you
used. “Google” only helped you to retrieve the source, it is not the source.
“Google Scholar” may also help you to retrieve academic sources more
easily. We would further suggest that you rather make use of the electronic
databases (available on the Unisa library website) than “Google”, since the
information retrieved on “Google” is not always academic or verifiable in
nature.

Format of an essay:
The format of a critical essay includes the following three main elements:

a) Introduction:
Under your introduction, you introduce the topic/s that the essay will cover and
explain to the reader how you will address this topic/s. If I read your introduction, it will
explain to me what to expect if I will continue reading your essay.

b) Body of the discussion:


In the body, you start to systematically address the different sub-topics of your main
topic as introduced in your introduction. By using appropriate headings and sub-
headings (NEVER use a heading “body”) which you have to number, you are
organizing the different sub-topics in more detail by explaining and using your own
examples to illustrate your understanding. It is important to learn how to use the
theoretical knowledge you have obtained from the literature sources in balance with
the application in real life by further explaining and using examples to illustrate your
own understanding.

It is also in the body of the assignment where you will start to practice evidence-based
writing, which means you are referencing the different literature sources as explained
under point 1 above. Please use the correct referencing as provided in
SOCAL36/301/3/2023.

It may help you to do a mind map where you map out from the main topic the sub-
topics and how they can be organized to create a flow of your discussions. What is at
the beginning of the discussion versus what should be toward the end to create a
logical and systematic flow of arguments, explanations, and facts.

c) The conclusion:
In your conclusion, you have to draw the discussions and explanations towards two
to three major findings or points you want to get across to the reader. This means
you have to summarize the body (main) part of the essay as well as highlight these
major findings or points to support your concluding remarks. It is also in here where
you can more explicitly express your final view on the topic. It should not be a long
conclusion as you are now bringing the discussion toward its end.

Assignment topic

Drawing upon Erving Goffman’s theoretical framework on stigma, critically analyse


the experiences of being stigmatised in contemporary society. Discuss the various
strategies individuals and groups employ to cope with stigma. In your response,
consider the following:
1. How does Goffman define stigma, and what are the key components of his
framework?
2. What are the social and psychological impacts of being stigmatised, particularly in
relation to identity and social interactions?
3. Using real-world examples, evaluate the different coping mechanisms adopted by
individuals or communities to resist or mitigate the effects of stigma.

NB: Go through the “Checklist for Essays” carefully before sending/submitting

your
assignment

CHECKLIST FOR ESSAY ASSIGNMENTS

1. TECHNICAL PRESENTATION
Does your assignment have:
• a cover page with the assignment title, module code, assignment
number and your name on the first page?
• a table of contents on the second page?
• a restatement of the assignment question/ instructions?
• the assignment questions correctly numbered?
• page numbers?
• headings and subheadings with numbers?
• the sources used clearly indicated and referenced in the text?
• a list of sources at the end of the assignment?
• is the list of sources in alphabetical order?
• each source item entered in the list of sources as indicated in tutorial letter
(SOCAL36/301/3/2021)?
• the correct information on the assignment cover?

2. CONTENTS
• Have you read through the relevant sources thoroughly and repeatedly?
• Does your assignment address the different questions/ instructions?
• Have you used your own words as far as possible?

Common questions

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The document emphasizes the importance of using only academic resources to ensure credibility and validity in academic writing. Academic resources are typically peer-reviewed and provide reliable information based on research. Examples given include books, journals, and websites with domains like '.ac', '.edu', or '.org', which indicate academic or official sources. Non-academic sources, such as those with '.com', are not considered reliable due to the potential lack of scholarly oversight .

Correctly numbering headings and subheadings is critical as it aids in organizing the essay's content, creating a clear structure that guides the reader through the discussion systematically. This practice ensures each sub-topic is distinct yet related, facilitating a coherent progression of arguments and explanations throughout the essay. It helps in visually segmenting each part of the analysis, allowing the reader to follow and understand the essay's logical flow efficiently .

According to the document, a critical essay should be structured into three main parts: an introduction, the body of discussion, and a conclusion. The introduction should present the topic and explain the approach to be taken in the essay. The body should use numbered headings and sub-headings to organize sub-topics logically while integrating theoretical knowledge with practical examples. The use of a mind map is suggested to plan the flow of arguments and facts systematically. The conclusion should summarize the main discussion and highlight significant findings or conclusions drawn from the essay, providing a succinct closing statement .

The document specifies that an essay must include technical requirements such as using Arial font type, font size 12, and line spacing of 1.5. The alignment should be justified. It must also adhere to technical presentation standards like having a cover page with the assignment title, module code, assignment number, and the student's name. Additionally, there should be a table of contents, correctly numbered questions, a list of references in alphabetical order, and pages numbered. Sources must be appropriately cited within the text and listed according to the guidelines provided in tutorial letter SOCAL36/301/3/2021 .

The document explains that 'Google' is not a valid reference because it is a search engine, not a source of information. It merely directs users to various information sources but does not itself provide academically reliable content. The emphasis is on referencing the specific academic sources from which information is gathered, ensuring the cited material meets credibility and scholarly standards .

Plagiarism can lead to failing an assignment due to the violation of academic integrity. The document advises students to avoid plagiarism by consulting tutorial letters, particularly SOCAL36/301/3/2021, to understand how to appropriately cite sources. It stresses the importance of using one's own words and correctly referencing all consulted sources to ensure authenticity in writing .

Erving Goffman's theoretical framework on stigma defines it as a deeply discrediting attribute that reduces an individual from a whole and usual person to a tainted, discounted one. The main components of his framework include the distinction between the 'virtual social identity' (the anticipated identity) and the 'actual social identity' (the actual identity), leading to the notion of 'spoiled identity' due to stigmatization. Goffman's framework also describes various types of stigma, including physical deformities, character blemishes, and tribal stigmas like race and religion .

Individuals and groups employ numerous strategies to cope with stigma, such as information control, social positioning, and community support. Examples include embracing the stigmatized trait as a point of pride, like the LGBTQ+ pride movements, or using advocacy and education to shift societal norms. In some cases, people engage in 'passing' to blend into non-stigmatized groups or seek refuge in communities where the stigma is less impactful. Public figures may use their platforms to challenge stereotypes and educate others, altering perceptions at broader societal levels .

Stigmatization can have profound social and psychological impacts, leading to social isolation, decreased self-esteem, and identity conflicts. It can impair social interactions by fostering environments of discrimination and exclusion. Individuals may internalize the stigma, leading to negative self-perception, or become hyper-aware of how others perceive them, further adversely affecting mental health. The imposed identity by societal perceptions can create persistent feelings of inadequacy or stress, hindering social integration and full participation in community life .

The conclusion in a critical essay serves as the final synthesis of the discussion. It should encapsulate the key points from the body, summarize the main discussions, and emphasize the major findings or arguments presented. It allows the writer to make final remarks on the topic, express a reasoned personal view, and effectively close the discussion. The conclusion should not be lengthy but should precisely consolidate the discussion, reinforcing the essay's overarching message .

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