The essay will be a “case study.” You must cite sources (at least 7 out of the 10
citations must come from the course syllabus) either in footnotes, endnotes or embedded in
the text and provide a bibliography. The case should have data and examples (e.g.
statistics, country case studies, film, historical evidence etc.) that explain the tension in
the case.
The essay must draw on the literature and cases from the course syllabus. Note that
while much of the material relevant to this assignment is assigned to be discussed in class
before the assignment is due, some of the readings assigned for the remainder of the
course are also highly relevant, so you should read ahead. Read over the Guidelines for
the essay posted to Moodle. It is important that students should show evidence that they
read the two main books for the course: Quarter et al.’s Case Studies for Social Change
(2015) AND Amin’s The Social Economy: International Perspectives on Economic
Solidarity (2009) in its entirety.
Remember that you are to do three things: (1) Analyze a social economy
organization; (2) led by a racialized person and (3) choose a social economy organization
that reaches racially marginalized people. The case study analysis will be deepened as
you draw on the course literature to explain the issues. A template for this assignment,
along with guidelines, will be listed on Moodle for students to review as they carry out
this assignment. Students should come and meet their TAs to discuss their paper and to
ensure they have developed a strong thesis statement and sub-arguments.
Your written assignment is an analysis of a social economy organization that
is led by a person of colour and which reaches marginalized people either
locally or internationally. You must analyze the efficiency of this organization
and find the tension of the organization. Ask some questions to determine
whether the social economy organization is making a difference.
Ethics: Though not required, you are encouraged to carry out independent research with
the organization via in-person, through Skype, telephone or email. You must get their
permission before hand to quote and cite them in your paper. Any interviews conducted
MUST be listed in the bibliography. Students interviewing or speaking to human subjects
must carry out an ethics protocol for undergraduates. Scroll down to ‘undergraduates’ and
read the material at: http://research.info.yorku.ca/ore/human-participants/#squelch-taasaccordion-shortcode-content-4 *Students who choose this route will get 5 bonus points
provided that the ethics is completed and attached to their final assignment (start this
process early in the Fall term 2019).
Students should show evidence that they read the two main books for the course: Quarter
et al.’s Case Studies for Social Change (2015) AND Amin’s The Social Economy:
International Perspectives on Economic Solidarity (2009) in its entirety.