PHOTOVOICE PROJECT Fall 2024

Students will complete a project addressing Social Problems related to POVERTY using your “sociological imagination.”

Project name: Student Perceptions of the Poverty in Society.

Students will take two photo images that highlight one aspect of Poverty in the United States.

One photo will be a visual representation of the student perception of the social problem.

The other photo will be a visual representation of a potential solution to address the social problem highlighted through the first photo.

Students will prepare short narratives describing their photos and submit both photos and narratives in the assignment module. Narratives should not exceed 4-5 sentences.

Students will participate in a focus group that will take place during class time. As a class, we will view each photo and discuss perceptions of the photos. Students will also take notes and collect focus group data. We will engage in focus group and note taking training prior to conducting the focus group. Student participants will be required to sign a consent form prior to participation. Since this is an open forum, we will ensure a safe, non-judgmental, and respectful environment!

Project Paper (6-8 pages):

Each student will submit a paper that describes the impact of Poverty in society and report findings from the photovoice focus group. Each student will also reflect on the photovoice and focus group process and method.  

Your paper should include the following:

1 - A title page with your paper title

2- The social problem being addressed: (Part 1) A) - Introduce your topic area.

What social problem are you highlighting? What area of Poverty will you be focusing on? (Food insecurity, homelessness, stigma, etc.?)

What were trends prior to 2024 (use data sources here)? What is the state of the social problem now (current data)? How has the social problem become a larger issue? How has the social problem changed? What new social problems have developed?

2. What do you see as possible solutions to address the social problem? What policies or programs might help alleviate the social problem? How has society changed in relation to this social problem.
3. How can the sociological imagination help us understand this social problem.

**You will need academic journal articles and research here as well as popular sources (4 outside sources in addition to the text as a minimum). Include in-text citations and provide a reference page using APA format.

3- Photovoice focus group findings. (Part 2)

1. Report your focus group findings. Provide a short introduction by describing each theme you found significant.

Under each theme, you will provide direct quotes, paraphrased quotes, any significant notes that support the theme.

2. Where you were surprised at any of the responses overall? Where you surprised at any responses to your photos specifically?

4- Reflect on the photovoice and focus group process. (Part 3)

(Answer all questions in this section)

1. Describe the experience of taking photos. What were your thoughts going into the process? Did you encounter any challenges? Please describe any. How did you navigate the challenges?
2. Describe your thoughts on photovoice as a method to bring about awareness of social problems. How effective is it? What impact did photovoice have on the issue itself? What are ways to use this method in reaching the larger community?
3. Describe your thoughts on the focus group process. How effective was it for addressing the photos and perceptions through discussion? What kind of “space” was created for the focus group? Were there any challenges to gathering data?
4. Summarize your general thoughts and provide recommendations.
   1. What did you learn through the photovoice process? What did you learn about focus groups?
   2. Describe advantages and disadvantages of the project.
   3. Describe suggestions for improvement. What would you change if given the opportunity to do another PV project? What topic would you address? 

Photovoice Timeline

10/3 - Photovoice lecture and project description– handout – post in Canvas

TBD – Library instruction

10/28 - Submit individual photos and narratives; Focus group note taking training

11/4 - Participant Consent forms due

11/11 - Focus Group; Class note taking

12/08 - Final Paper and Reflection papers due