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A variety of assessment tools have been proposed to evaluate the sociology curriculum. This article analyses the validity of assessment tools and their impact on the quality of assessment. An alternative to formal tests is the use of a bachelor's paper as the assessment tool. Here the author proposes that such a paper is an appropriate means of assessment for the individual sociology student and for the program as a whole. The bachelor's paper is simply the student's attempt to use the theoretical and methodological tools of his or her discipline to address a substantively important topic. This can help in realizing the areas of the curriculum that need reforms. The bachelor's paper has several advantages as an assessment tool. First, if critical thinking and the ability to conduct and combine library and empirical research are goals of the program, a cumulative research experience is sensible. The second advantage of the bachelor's paper as assessment is that greater depth of theoretical knowledge can be encouraged in a paper than in most test formats.

This article provides sociology instructors with some useful tips for constructing an activity log, which directs students from point to point in the process of writing a sociologically oriented term paper. According to the author, papers written for sociology courses must incorporate principles of sociological theory, concepts and methodology. Therefore, in guiding students through a step-by-step developmental process for writing a sociological term paper, various objectives should be taken into consideration. The paper should engage students in exploring ideas and materials taught throughout the term. It should expose students to social reality and enhance their familiarity with the application of sociological concepts. It should teach students how to apply principles of sociological theory and methods to the social phenomena being explored and encourage students to formulate propositions that make sense of facts and that can be applied to their own experiences. The paper should also expand the knowledge of students beyond the frame of the assigned readings and enhance their writing creativity.