Book Case Study – Introduction
This an introduction to the Book Case Study assignment, so that you can plan for the work
accordingly. See the syllabus for due dates and the assignment item for full submission
information.
Though this assignment is not due until Week 5, you need to be planning and preparing for
and working on it throughout the course.
Carefully read through the prompt below, then be sure to address any questions or concerns early in the course.
Prompt: You are required to read Enrique’s Journey (Nazario, 2007, 2014) and, using one or more
individuals discussed in the book, create a case study in poverty. The case study should describe
how the individual is impacted by poverty and the environment that contributes to poverty and
oppression. The case study should conclude with your recommendations for improvement or
change.
Note that Week 5’s video, which shows “La Beastia,” the train that Enrique took across part of
Mexico during his journeys to the U.S., and interviews individuals on the same journey and those
who try to help them, will give additional insight as you develop your case study.
The website maintained by the author of Enrique’s Journey (Nazario, 2007, 2014) also gives additional and more current information about Enrique and his family, Honduras, and immigration policy (links included under Week 5’s readings).
Your Tasks: You are expected to write a 3 to 5 page paper exclusive of cover page and reference page. Your
paper should be double spaced in time new roman 12 point font with 1 inch margins. Your paper
is expected to be referenced appropriately, using APA style. ALL sources are to be referenced.
Failing to cite a source is considered academic dishonesty. Use third person throughout your
paper (not I); when making recommendations, you can say something like “Several
recommendations must be considered….” Instead of “I recommend”.
You should address the following questions in composing your case study:
Who is your case study about? Give a brief description of the person and setting for
context in the introduction to your case study (be sure to reference the book).
What is this person’s experience with poverty and oppression? Give appropriate
examples as you describe her/his experiences.
Using the ecological/systems framework, what micro, mezzo, and macro factors (or
micro, meso, exo, and macro factors depending on which source you use) contributed tothis person’s poverty and oppression?
What strengths does the person possess that are enabling her/him to survive?
Are those strengths being maximized by the systems (community) impacting the person?
How could those strengths be used to overcome poverty and oppression?
What recommendations can you make to help this person and other members in similarcircumstances move out of poverty?
Be sure that you reference sources appropriately throughout your paper and include a reference page (you will need to reference the Nazario book and the source(s) from which you obtained your information about the ecological/systems framework (levels of the environment). This
paper is to demonstrate your ability to understand an individual’s experiences and the ways that the environment (particularly at the community and societal levels) impacts that person, in other
words, your ability to think critically. It is not intended to be a research paper on poverty and oppression or on immigration. Thus, you should not need additional references/sources beyond your text and other readings included in this course. Although you may use other sources if you
wish, you will be penalized if you do not also include sources required as part of this course.
