We have learned that adolescence is a time of transition between childhood and adulthood. A critical milestone of this stage is the ability to successfully achieve a sense of identity. Around the world, there are different rites of passage to mark the transition to adulthood. In the United States, this might include obtaining a driver’s license, landing one’s first job, senior prom, or high school graduation. In this assignment, we will explore the role that family and society play in the development of the individual’s sense of self.

By Monday, June 5, 2017, create two documents for parents of minority teens 1) A 9–12-slide PowerPoint presentation (complete with speaker’s notes) and 2) an accompanying 1–2-page handout/flier in Word document or PDF format. Be sure that both illustrate the following:

1. Describe common rites of passage from two cultures around the world and compare them to a common American rite of passage.  Possible resources might include National Geographic and the Argosy University Online Library.
2. Compare and contrast these rites to common US rites of passage. Do they coincide with the physical, cognitive, or socioemotional changes taking place at this age? Describe which specific changes (physical, cognitive, or socioemotional) they coincide with. Does this explain their importance in a particular culture?
3. How might such a social ritual, such as a rite of passage, influence the identity formation process of adolescents?
4. In light of Erikson and Marcia’s theories, discuss how the process of identity development is affected when the adolescent belongs to a minority group (racial, ethnic, sexual, or religious). Be sure to explain these theories and how they apply to identity development.
5. Summarize research from at least two peer-reviewed* studies on the effect of minority status on identity development, ensuring you describe the main findings of the study as well as the research methods used to study the topic.
6. Apply the information you gathered from the online notes, textbook, and research articles to provide at least three practical recommendations for what the family, school, and community can do to ease the process for adolescents.

*Peer-reviewed means an article from a reputable journal, which can be found in the Argosy University Online Library. Peer reviewed indicates that other professionals in the field have reviewed and deemed it worthy of publication, in contrast to much if what we find online: someone posting something he or she wants to, without someone else verifying that the research methods were rigorous enough and the study is valid. Use your textbook and course lectures as your pri

Annotated Bibliography, Introduction, and Summary Paragraph: Seeking the Truth

The summative assignment for this course is a Final Paper, which is due in Week 5.  To ensure proper preparation for this cumulative work and provide you with an opportunity for some initial feedback and guidance, you will prepare an annotated bibliography and an introduction this week.  In addition, you will prepare a paragraph that includes any questions (etc.) you may have about the Final Paper.

Part I:  The Annotated Bibliography:  An annotated bibliography (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. is a list of relevant scholarly works along with a descriptive and evaluative summary of each.  Your annotated bibliography will relate information relevant to your analysis of the selected option provided for the Final Paper.  Utilize the provided template.  To view an example annotated biography click here (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

• First, review the instructions for the Final Paper, which are located in Week 5 of the course.  See also relevant Instructor Guidance and Announcements.
• Select a topic from the approved list (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Locate a minimum of five relevant scholarly sources that will inform your understanding of the issue that you have chosen from the Ashford Library (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
  • Create a list of references and thoroughly read each article.
  • Before beginning your writing, verify the scholarly nature (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. of the articles you have chosen.
• Summarize (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. each of your sources, appraising the information relevant to your chosen topic (two to three paragraphs).  Use your own academic voice (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and apply in-text citations (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..  Be sure to consider the following information for each of your selected sources:
  • Include a description and critical analysis of the content (e.g., unique information, findings, strengths/weaknesses, biases, limitations, overall conclusions).
  • Include a succinct illustration of the relevance of this particular article to the topic you have chosen.

Part II: The Introduction and Summary Paragraphs 

• Articulate the information you have learned from your review of the literature in the annotated bibliography by outlining an introduction (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. that previews the paper and concludes with a clear thesis statement (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Lastly, as a conclusion, compose an overall summary paragraph with questions you have, additional directions you plan to explore through your research, initial thoughts about the final paper, and any problems you are encountering or think you might encounter.

The Annotated Bibliography

• Must be at least three to five double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Must include a separate title page (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. with the following:
  • A header
  • Title of paper
  • Student’s name
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted
• Must begin with an introductory paragraph (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. that has a succinct thesis statement (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Must utilize academic voice (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Must paraphrase (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. material, avoiding direct quotes.
  • Minimal quotes are used within the writing.  (No more than 2-3 sentences.).  For more information about how to synthesize your writing, please visit the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Must address the topic with critical thought (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Must include an overall summary paragraph including the required elements.
• Must use at least five peer-reviewed scholarly sources.  Additional scholarly sources are encouraged.  Be sure to integrate your research (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. smoothly rather than simply inserting it.
  • The Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types.  If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor.  Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment.
• Must document all sources in APA style as outlined here (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and here (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Must include a separate reference page (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. that is formatted according to APA style.