Classical Theory - Emile Durkheim - The Societal Causes of Suicide
Why suicides happen, particularly in prosperous and healthy societies, has puzzled social scientists for decades. When sociologists talk about suicide, they are likely to include Durkheim's work in their discussion.
In Section One of the Social Theory Re-wired text, you should read Emile Durkheim's "Suicide," watch this video and also read the following summary to help you grasp the causal factors and three concepts of suicide Durkheim presents in his greater work.
Then, listen to the Freakonomics podcast. (If you are not familiar with the Freakonomics podcast, it is created by a journalist and an economist, who both use economics to debunk commonly held beliefs about why the world is the way it is.) If you have any issues listening to the podcast, there is a link to the transcript of the recording in the third paragraph below the podcast link.
For your Final Paper
• Select one fact about suicide from the podcast that you find particularly interesting or surprising and explain it in your paper.
• Analyze the fact you have chosen about suicide using Durkheim's work as offered to you above and one scholarly resource. Through your analysis, you should respond to the following:
o Based on Durkheim's work, can the level of integration or regulation in society be an explanation for the "social fact about suicide" you have picked? Present one (1) scholarly resource which provides evidence or support of this.
o Which of the three concepts of suicide (as presented by Durkheim) is your chosen fact most aligned to? Present the concept and explain why. If you believe it isn't aligned explain why not.
o The video presents nine ways that Durkheim's work and recent research has linked societal influence to suicide. Does your chosen fact relate to any of these?
o Finally, explain how classical social theory like Durkheim's work is useful and valuable to modern researchers, theorists and social policy makers.
Your paper must be five double-spaced pages in length (not including the title and reference page) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. You should include the text, the text reading of Emile Durkheim's "Suicide," and at least two scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library in your submission.
The Final Paper
• Must be five to six double-spaced pages in length (excluding title and reference pages), and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a title page with the following:
o Title of paper
o Student's name
o Course name and number
o Instructor's name
o Date submitted
• Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
• Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
• Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
• Must include the text, the text reading of Emile Durkheim's "Suicide," and at least two (2) scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library in your submission.
o The Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment.
• Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. For more information please review the In-Text Citation Guide and the APA References List.
• Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Please review the APA Essay Checklist for Students to ensure you have all of the required components for your Final Paper.