Posted: March 2nd, 2022

HUSV 301 – Final Assignment – for HUSV Minors, Thematic Minors, Electives

HUSV 301 – Final Assignment – for HUSV Minors, Thematic Minors, Electives
In lieu of a final exam, you will complete a 3-part assignment that:
1. Demonstrates critical thinking for the purpose of a course evaluation.
2. Explores the value of volunteerism.
3. Demonstrates the ability to advocate on behalf of marginalized populations.
Submissions:
Part I: One-page reflection
Part II: Paper on volunteerism
Part III: Advocacy document (500-800 words)
Part I: Course Reflection
Reflect on your overall learning in this course. Which assignments did you learn the
most from – why? How do you think this learning (or the process of learning) will aid you
in your future programand/or career goals? This reflection should be ~1 page long
Part II: The Benefits of Volunteering
• Read the following article: Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits: How Giving to Others Makes You
Healthier and Happier (linked separately)
• Summarize the key message from this article in one paragraph (5-7 sentences).
• From your own research, find one peer-reviewed scholarly article that lends support to the
‘happiness effect’ from volunteering
• Summarize and critically review key concepts from the article, providing the full citation for the article
in APA format.
o Please note a critical review is not just a summary of the article contents – review and be
guided by the resource provided (How to Write A Critical Review of a Journal Article).
• Review the Grading Guide
• Your review should be ~1.5 pages in length, not including references.
Part III: Final Assignment – is not due until the Sunday evening before the last week in the semester.
This assignment is intended to inspire you into civic responsibility. The course content has been difficult at
times and advocacy is the resilient response. “We the people” are the government, not “them”…
The preamble of the Constitutions of the United States of America, ratified June 21, 1788:
“Tolerance and apathy are the last virtues of a dying society.” ~ Aristotle
The Draft is not intended to be sent, simply developed, and can be in any of the following formats:
• Letter/email to state representative
• OpEd
• Social media post that engages public support
• White paper
Develop a 500-800 word draft, advocating for policy or reform related to an area of social justice you are
passionate about. Topic examples can include, but are not limited to the following list of ideas:
• Mass incarceration: people of color and/or people with mental illness
• Community prevention programs for youth
• Equal access for physical and mental healthcare
• Climate initiatives (e.g., water conservation, public transportation, solar for government offices)
• Resources for people struggling with addiction
• Housing for marginalized homeless populations
• Access to technology for indigenous populations
• Development of mental health first responder services (contributing to police reform)
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic
Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty
to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
(https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/preamble)