Assignment: Sociology Sociological Theories on Politics Essay Paper
SOCI 101-002 Final Essay Assignment Spring 2020 As a result of COVID-19-related changes made to the course structure this semester, I am adjusting the topic and parameters of the final assignment. Instead of one long essay assignment on a predetermined topic, your final will consist of two short essays; instead of everyone writing on the same topic, you will be able to choose from a list of several topics. My hope is that this will allow you to connect your work for this final assignment to work you’re doing in other courses, or relate the final (and the course material) to your major/minor or other specific interests. Instructions: Read through the four essay prompts provided below and pick two to respond to. 1. What particular sociological theory or framework has been most relevant to your own academic or professional field of interest? If you are planning to go into medicine, into politics, into journalism, into education, is there a sociological theory or framework that we explored this semester that helps you view those interests differently? 2.
Explain how a particular sociological theory or framework we discussed this semester is influencing the way(s) in which you are observing, understanding, or experiencing the American response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can choose to focus on the response of the government, at either the federal or state level, or the response of non-governmental sectors (the education system or the medical field, for example), depending on which level of analysis is most interesting or relevant to you. 3. Explain how a particular sociological theory or framework we discussed this semester helped you view the ethnographic subject of gang violence as presented in Ward’s work. The theory or framework you choose can be broad (i.e. How does applying a sociological understanding of social deviance help us better understand the life experiences of gang members from Central America?) or specific (i.e. Does labeling theory (Conley 138-139, discussed in “Socialization and the Construction of Reality” unit) help us better understand individual and/or social choices, actions, and experience of gang members?) 4. What would be the potential benefits to applying Michael Burawoy’s concept of public sociology (see assigned readings for May 7) to Ward’s ethnography of gang violence in L.A.? Would there be any weaknesses to applying a public sociology approach to this particular study? (This question is what the original final essay would have consisted of, for those of you who have been thinking ahead about the guidance provided in the original syllabus.)
By “particular sociological theory or framework,” I mean any of the general OR specific concepts and theories we have discussed this semester. I will provide a list of some of the options available to you (in the “Final Exam” folder, under “Assignments” on Blackboard). Please note the following additional instructions: • The two essays do not need to relate to each other; they are intended to be stand-alone responses. 1 • • Each essay must be a minimum of 3 pages double-spaced, but please feel free to write more if you so desire.
Please save both essays in one document – you do not need separate documents for each essay. Indicate what essay prompt you are addressing by including a heading for each one (i.e. “Essay I: XXXX”, and then “Essay II: XXXX” to mark when you are ending the first essay and starting the second). Please reach out to me via email if you have concerns about your ability to complete this assignment in the new context in which you find yourselves now (limited access to a computer, to WiFi, etc.). Due Date: Monday, May 18, 12:00pm EST, via the submission link in the “Assignments” folder on Blackboard. • Please note that the upload link will be visible/available to you starting Monday, May 11, the official last day of class. You will be able to upload your final anytime between Monday, May 11, and Monday, May 18, 12pm. Grading Rubric: (30 points possible, 15 points for each short essay) Essay One (15 points possible) 0–5 Writing Style and Formatting I will be looking at grammar, punctuation, and the ability to appropriately cite/reference external sources if used. See syllabus for formatting instructions. 1 point will be removed automatically for not formatting correctly; after 5 grammar/spelling mistakes, I will start deducting points. This includes the proper citation format for sources that you reference – I do not require you to use a specific citation format, but I do expect you to consistently cite using the same format throughout the essay. 0–5 External Sources Used You must reference at least two (2) sources in your answer to the essay prompt.
This means two separate sources, not two separate quotations or references from the same source. You do not need to use any sources outside of assigned course material (but you may use external sources if you so choose). 2 Class sources include: • Dalton Conley’s You May Ask Yourself • T.W. Ward’s Gangsters Without Borders • Any of the readings posted on Blackboard (in the “BB Readings” folder in “Course Content,” as well as those posted in the “e-Reserve” folder) • Any of the supplemental reading materials I have posted on Blackboard 0–5 Accurately Applying a Sociological Theory or Concept to a Particular Social Context In all four of the essay prompts provided for you to choose from, you are asked to apply a sociological theory or concept to a particular social context, either to a) T.W. Ward’s Gangsters Without Borders; or to b) Current events, specifically sociopolitical responses to the COVID-19 pandemic I will be evaluating your application of a particular sociological theory/concept of your choice to that context. You must clearly identify what theory or concept you are applying to answer the question. Essay Two (15 points possible) 0–5 Writing Style and Formatting I will be looking at grammar, punctuation, and the ability to appropriately cite/reference external sources if used. See syllabus for formatting instructions. 1 point will be removed automatically for not formatting correctly; after 5 grammar/spelling mistakes, I will start deducting points. This includes the proper citation format for sources that you reference – I do not require you to use a specific citation format, but I do expect you to consistently cite using the same format throughout the essay. 3 0–5 You must reference at least two (2) sources in your answer to the essay prompt. This means two separate sources, not two separate quotations or references from the same source. You do not need to use any sources outside of assigned course material (but you may use external sources if you so choose). External Sources Used Class sources include: • Dalton Conley’s You May Ask Yourself • T.W. Ward’s Gangsters Without Borders • Any of the readings posted on Blackboard (in the “BB Readings” folder in “Course Content,” as well as those posted in the “e-Reserve” folder) • Any of the supplemental reading materials I have posted on Blackboard 0–5 In all four of the essay prompts provided for you to choose from, you are asked to apply a sociological theory or concept to a particular social context, either to c) T.W. Ward’s Gangsters Without Borders; or to Accurately Applying a Sociological Theory d) Current events, specifically or Concept to a Particular Social Context sociopolitical responses to the COVID-19 pandemic I will be evaluating your application of a particular sociological theory/concept of your choice to that context. You must clearly identify what theory or concept you are applying to answer the question.
Important information for writing discussion questions and participation
Welcome to class
Hello class and welcome to the class and I will be your instructor for this course. This is a -week course and requires a lot of time commitment, organization, and a high level of dedication. Please use the class syllabus to guide you through all the assignments required for the course. I have also attached the classroom policies to this announcement to know your expectations for this course. Please review this document carefully and ask me any questions if you do. You could email me at any time or send me a message via the “message” icon in halo if you need to contact me. I check my email regularly, so you should get a response within 24 hours. If you have not heard from me within 24 hours and need to contact me urgently, please send a follow up text to
I strongly encourage that you do not wait until the very last minute to complete your assignments. Your assignments in weeks 4 and 5 require early planning as you would need to present a teaching plan and interview a community health provider. I advise you look at the requirements for these assignments at the beginning of the course and plan accordingly. I have posted the YouTube link that explains all the class assignments in detail. It is required that you watch this 32-minute video as the assignments from week 3 through 5 require that you follow the instructions to the letter to succeed. Failure to complete these assignments according to instructions might lead to a zero. After watching the video, please schedule a one-on-one with me to discuss your topic for your project by the second week of class. Use this link to schedule a 15-minute session. Please, call me at the time of your appointment on my number. Please note that I will NOT call you.
Please, be advised I do NOT accept any assignments by email. If you are having technical issues with uploading an assignment, contact the technical department and inform me of the issue. If you have any issues that would prevent you from getting your assignments to me by the deadline, please inform me to request a possible extension. Note that working fulltime or overtime is no excuse for late assignments. There is a 5%-point deduction for every day your assignment is late. This only applies to approved extensions. Late assignments will not be accepted.
If you think you would be needing accommodations due to any reasons, please contact the appropriate department to request accommodations.
Plagiarism is highly prohibited. Please ensure you are citing your sources correctly using APA 7th edition. All assignments including discussion posts should be formatted in APA with the appropriate spacing, font, margin, and indents. Any papers not well formatted would be returned back to you, hence, I advise you review APA formatting style. I have attached a sample paper in APA format and will also post sample discussion responses in subsequent announcements.
Your initial discussion post should be a minimum of 200 words and response posts should be a minimum of 150 words. Be advised that I grade based on quality and not necessarily the number of words you post. A minimum of TWO references should be used for your initial post. For your response post, you do not need references as personal experiences would count as response posts. If you however cite anything from the literature for your response post, it is required that you cite your reference. You should include a minimum of THREE references for papers in this course. Please note that references should be no more than 5 years old except recommended as a resource for the class. Furthermore, for each discussion board question, you need ONE initial substantive response and TWO substantive responses to either your classmates or your instructor for a total of THREE responses. There are TWO discussion questions each week, hence, you need a total minimum of SIX discussion posts for each week. I usually post a discussion question each week. You could also respond to these as it would count towards your required SIX discussion posts for the week.
I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receives strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course!
Hi Class,
Please read through the following information on writing a Discussion question response and participation posts.
Contact me if you have any questions.
Important information on Writing a Discussion Question
- Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references)
- There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article.
- Include in-text citations in your response
- Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information
- Follow APA-7th edition
- Points will be deducted if the above is not followed
Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor
- A minimum of 6 responses per week, on at least 3 days of the week.
- Each response needs at least ONE reference with citations—best if it is a peer reviewed journal article
- Each response needs to be at least 75 words in length (does not include your list of references)
- Responses need to be substantive by bringing information to the discussion or further enhance the discussion. Responses of “I agree” or “great post” does not count for the word count.
- Follow APA 7th edition
- Points will be deducted if the above is not followed
- Remember to use and follow APA-7th edition for all weekly assignments, discussion questions, and participation points.
- Here are some helpful links
- The is a great resource
