CRITICAL THINKING PAPER AND ORAL ARGUMENT

Paper

You are expected to write a five-page paper applying critical thinking to a selected social issue (Income Inequality). In this assignment you will demonstrate effective oral and written communication in analyzing

a social problem and the policies designed to address it,and should follow the critical thinking approach discussed in class and in the Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking.

Specifically, the paper should provide a well-evidenced critical argument following this 4 point outline:

1) Define why Income Inequality is a ‘problem’ by documenting the magnitude (number affected) and scope (who is affected) of the issue

2) How have the historical ideologies (choose only 2 from this list) described in Jimenez, Chapter 3, (U.S. Exceptionalism, individualism, independence, Protestant Work Ethic, self-reliance, upward mobility, equal opportunity) influenced the extent to which America has treated your selected topic (Income Inequality) as a social problem

3) Describe two current social policies designed to address it?

4) If we are to fulfill social work’s social justice mission, what sort of social policy approach (i.e. laws, programs, budgetary allocations) is needed to address this social problem?

In the paper you should demonstrate your ability to distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including research-based knowledge, and practice wisdom as you lay out your critical thinking argument. The paper must be submitted to Blackboard the day it is due. It must follow APA style: (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html )

and guide to highlight important information while delivering your argument.