Assignment: With this paper assignment, you are expected to demonstrate your ability in using sociological theories and concepts to understand as well as analyze a specific issue or event highlighted in one of the documentary films shown in class. A successful paper will exemplify skills in not only methodically defining sociological theories and concepts, but more importantly, astutely applying them to a specific issue or event to make a compelling argument.
Steps in Completing the Paper
Check each box as you complete each of the steps. This will ensure that you have addressed all the general requirements of the paper.
• Pick one of the four documentary films shown in class that you are particularly interested in or passionate about. The specific issue or event highlighted in the documentary film will be the focus of your paper. You will be investigating the specific issue or event in preparation for writing your paper.
• Find three references in addition to your course book (i.e., other books, journal articles, reports, and/or other legitimate academic sources) that thoroughly discuss your specific issue or event in detail. Wikipedia, mainstream media, and other similar references are NOT considered legitimate sources of information.
• Review the references you have selected and critically analyze the information using your sociological imagination (i.e., "the vivid awareness of the relationship between personal experience and the wider society" - C. Wright Mills). In other words, think about how your specific issue or event can be explained from the perspective of the wider society.
• While analyzing your specific issue or event, think about how you can incorporate various sociological theories and concepts that have been discussed in the course. How can various sociological theories and concepts assist you in understanding and explaining your specific issue or event? Although there is no specified number of required theories and concepts, a successful paper will take full advantage of the various theories and concepts in constructing and supporting an overall argument.
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• Create a thesis statement based on your analysis of your specified issue or event. Thesis statements clearly state the argument in your paper. Be aware that there are four main types of thesis statements: 1) claims of fact or definition - "Race is a social construct,"
2) claims of cause and effect - "Smoking causes lung cancer," 3) claims about value - "Light pollution is a pressing environmental issue," and 4) claims of solutions or policies - "Smoking should be outlawed." Make sure that your thesis statement is one of these four main types.
• Write a 5-6 page paper about your specified issue or event that includes an introduction (i.e., where the thesis statement will be introduced), a main body (where your thesis statement will be supported), and a conclusion (i.e., where your thesis statement will be reiterated). A successful paper will persuade the reader's opinions into agreeing with the author of the paper with regard to the overall argument.
• Make sure to include a list of references of at least three (or more) sources in addition to the course book. Also provide in-text citations of any information, ideas, or quotes used in your paper from your various sources. Not doing so will be considered plagiarism. Information regarding the ASA Style Guide will be provided, but any established style of referencing will be accepted. ASA Style is NOT required; it is only an option if you are in need of guidance.