Sociology-Self Help Assignment

 

Please look at the attachment and read it thoroughly and let me know if you are able to do it. If able to, please send me a hanshake with the steps you will take etc, to make sure assignment is understood.

 

I cannot attend the meetings so I need someone who can be a great story teller/writer/maker and make it up. BUT the meetings times and locations have to be real so you will need to google them and be creative.

    

Due Friday by Midnight EST

Thank you.

 

SOC 2160

Self-Help Assignment (15%)

1. View the VHS or DVD:

My Name is Bill W Warner Brothers (1989) with James Wood & James Garner BEFORE you attend any meetings.

2. Attend TWO Self-help 12-step meetings one Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and one Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting. These meetings must be an open (O) meeting (as opposed to closed (C) for those who are self-identified alcoholics or drug addicts (of course if you normally attend a NA or AA meetings then you need to attend the other type; if you have questions or not sure what to do then send the professor an email. When you go your job is to listen. If asked why you are there you may tell them whatever is comfortable for you. However, you have the right to say ‘pass’ if the group is speaking and it is your turn. Be sure to bring one dollar for a donation which is usually a raffle or a cup for donations. If there is a raffle be sure to keep the ticket and attach via scan to your paper.

3. Attend ONE AL-Anon 12-step meeting (Alcohol anonymous meeting for family members).

Be sure to let the group know your reason for attending this meeting and feel free to participate if you are feeling comfortable to do so. Be sure to bring one dollar for a donation which is usually a raffle or a cup for donations. If there is a raffle be sure to keep the ticket and attach via scan to your paper.

4. Write a paper on your experiences; be sure to include a title page. Insert page numbers in header or footer. Include a reference page listing the meetings (name of the meeting, place held, day of the week and time of day), video viewed, and any readings you may have done to complete this assignment.
The paper will comprise of three sections and your responses should be written within each titled Heading:

Section I: Preconceived biases or thoughts-300-500 words

In this section you will discuss your thoughts, attitudes and preconceived ideas about self-help groups in general that you felt or thought before attending a meeting in person or viewing the My Name is Bill W video . Include your general feelings about doing this assignment.

Section II: Obstacles-300-500 words

In this section address any obstacles or barriers you had to endure to actually physically attend the self-help meeting. Be sure to include the details of each meeting: where was it (include the name of the meeting, the address, city and state), what type of meeting it was, note the demographics in attendance (Ages, sexes, types), and what occurred at the meeting (What did they talk about? What was the theme of the night?).

Section III: Reflection-300-500 words

In this section you are to reflect on your viewing of the DVD My Name is Bill W (write a brief synopsis of the story) and your attendance at the self-help meetings. How did the movie compare to the real thing (be specific, use examples, quotes, citations)? What have you learned about yourself from attending self-help meetings? Address your preconceived biases or thoughts stated in Section I; how has this experience impacted you? Has it caused you to rethink your behaviors in relation to alcohol or other drugs? Why? Why not?

Add any other thoughts you may have garnered about a person or their family struggling with alcohol or drug dependence.