This document provides guidelines for a midterm assignment in a social work course. Students must write an 8-10 page paper analyzing a character from a novel through various social work theoretical lenses. The paper should include 4 sections: 1) a 2-page case description of the character, 2) a 2-page discussion of the character's identity development process, 3) a 2-page analysis of the character's attachment relationships and systems, and 4) a 2-page exploration of how a specific social issue uniquely affects the character. Throughout the paper, students must cite at least 12 scholarly sources, including 3 sources not from the course syllabus. The paper will be evaluated based on addressing all aspects of the guidelines, theoretical analysis strength

1. School of Social Work
University of Southern California School of Social WorkSOWK
505Midterm Assignment(100 points; 35% of course grade)GuidelinesThe purpose of the
midterm assignment is to integrate course material from both SOWK 503 and SOWK 505
into one coherent paper. You will be expected to write a comprehensive theoretical
analysis of a fictional character from a bio-psycho-social, social work perspective, including
a discussion of person-in-environment theoretical concepts as well as theories of
personality and development. Each paper will focus on the main character of the novel. If
your novel has several main characters, please confirm your selected character with your
instructor. You will be writing about one character throughout the entire paper. Your
paper should include the following sections:1. Section 1: Case Description:Start the paper
with a succinct, but adequate, case description. Your case write-up should describe the main
character and contain the following subheadings:• Identifying information. This section
may include a general description and relevant information of the main
character.• Current Situation. This section may include the main character’ s current
environment, their community, family life, work, etc.• Family of Origin. This section may
include family history, relationships (either past or present) with family members, family
dynamics, family life cycle, etc.• Biological Development and History. This section may
include medical history, past or current illnesses, developmental milestones, etc.• Social
Development and History. This section may include education, significant relationships,
interests, social networks, and significant life events, etc.• Strengths. This section should
include an overview of the main character’ s strengths.This section should be
approximately 2 pages in length.2. Section 2: Identity Formation in Adolescence and
Emerging AdulthoodOne of the main psychological tasks of adolescence and young
adulthood is the process of identity formation. Discuss the process of the main character’ s
identity development in the context of their environmental, family, and peer influences, as
well as their exploration and awareness of gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or
culture, using examples from the book.Present an in depth discussion on one theoretical
model of identity formation (you may not use Erikson) that best explain the character’ s
construction of self.This section should approximately be 2 pages in length.3. Section 3:
Attachment and RelationshipsAttachment relationships are central to emotional and social
well being throughout the life cycle. Discuss the attachment system of your character during
adulthood. Include consideration of gender, culture, sexual orientation, etc.This section
should be approximately 2 pages in length.4. Section 4: Social IssuesIdentify one social

2. issue as portrayed in your novel (e.g.: slavery, oppression, housing, immigration, healthcare,
etc.) and explore how this social issue uniquely affects your character during
adulthood.This section should be approximately 2 pages in length.Throughout the paper,
provide conceptual and empirical evidence to support your arguments, referencing a
minimum of 12 scholarly works, at least 3 of which must be outside materials (i.e., not on
any SOWK syllabus). The paper should be 8-10 pages in length (not counting references or
title page), double-spaced, with 1-inch margins on all sides. Use citation and referencing
styles as specified in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
(APA style).The evaluation of the paper will be based on whether you aIDressed all aspects
of the assignment, the appropriate use of the theoretical concepts you have chosen and the
strength of your analysis, the quality of your written work (organization, flow, clarity,
grammar, spelling), and the correct application of APA style.The deadline to submit the
assignment by as discussed in class (Tuesday versus Thursday)Papers not received by the
deadline will lose half a grade for each day they are late.