Sociological Theories on Politics
Sociological Theories on Politics essay assignment
Sociological Theories on Politics essay assignment
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.
Get solution to your nursing paper : Sociological Theories on Politics
Instructions: Read through the four essay prompts provided below and pick two to respond to.
- 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?
- 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.
- 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?)
- 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.)
Get solution to your nursing paper : Sociological Theories on Politics
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.
- 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) | |
Writing Style and Formatting |
0 – 5
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.
|
External Sources Used |
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).
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
|
Accurately Applying a Sociological Theory or Concept to a Particular Social Context |
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 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) | |
Writing Style and Formatting |
0 – 5
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. |
External Sources Used |
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).
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
|
Accurately Applying a Sociological Theory or Concept to a Particular Social Context |
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 d) 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.
|