Reflections For SOCI 1301: Sociology, Pop Culture & The Medi

Reflections for SOCI 1301: Sociology, Pop Culture, & the Media

There are three reflections throughout the course (located in Weeks 3, 5, & 7 Modules). These reflections will be completed individually. They will have 1 essay question and are taken online through D2L. These reflections are to assess your ability to analyze and apply the course materials within that particular section of the course. You may use course materials on these essays.

Reflections are not timed, and can be accessed multiple times, so you may open them to get the essay question and return later to submit your answer. Reflections are open for the two weeks they cover and have set due dates; once those due dates pass, you will no longer have access to take them. For reflection due dates see the Course Schedule. Remember: You must cite your sources, even if you don’t quote.

Grading Rubric: Reflections Total Points Worth: 50

Requirements Points Worth

• Formatting: Essay style 20% (10 points)
• Writing Mechanics:
  • Free of spelling errors
  • Free of grammatical errors
  • Free of structural errors
• Proper Source Citation:
  • APA in-text citations for concept definitions
  • Include reference list (APA Format)
• Concept Application:
  • Answered all questions completely
  • Defined all concepts used appropriately (using course materials)
  • Applied all concepts correctly

Points Earned:

Paper For Above instruction

The reflections in SOCI 1301: Sociology, Pop Culture, & the Media serve as vital tools for consolidating students' understanding of core sociological concepts and their ability to analyze contemporary cultural phenomena through an academic lens. These assignments not only evaluate comprehension but also foster critical thinking by compelling students to synthesize course materials with real-world examples, thereby enhancing their sociological perspective on media and popular culture.

The first key element in successfully completing these reflections is the clear understanding of the essay question provided. Since the reflections are accessible over a two-week period and are not timed, students should take advantage of this flexibility to thoughtfully formulate comprehensive responses. The open-access nature allows iterative review of the question, which can aid in approaching complex prompts with thoroughness and depth. Importantly, students must cite their sources according to APA format, including in-text citations and a reference list, to demonstrate proper academic integrity and scholarly rigor.

An essential aspect of these reflections is the application of sociological concepts introduced throughout the course. Concepts such as socialization, norms, values, stereotyping, cultural hegemony, and media influence are likely to feature prominently in the questions. To effectively analyze these, students should first define each concept accurately using course materials and then illustrate their application with relevant examples from popular culture or media. For instance, when discussing media influence, students might analyze how celebrity culture shapes societal perceptions of success, referencing specific studies or theories discussed in class.

Moreover, the evaluation rubric emphasizes the importance of clarity and mechanics in writing. Spelling, grammar, and structural integrity are critical for communicating ideas effectively. Students are encouraged to proofread their reflections meticulously and utilize resources such as writing centers or peer review to refine their submissions. Proper formatting, including APA citations and a well-organized structure, contributes significantly to the overall grade.

In reflecting critically, students should aim to fully answer all questions posed, ensuring that each part of the prompt is addressed with sufficient detail and insight. This often involves integrating course concepts with contemporary examples. For instance, analyzing the role of social media platforms in shaping identity and community requires understanding both sociological theories and current trends.

Overall, these reflection assignments are designed to deepen students’ sociological understanding of pop culture and media, while honing their analytical and academic writing skills. They reinforce the importance of evidence-based arguments, proper citation practices, and clear communication—all essential competencies in the field of sociology.

References

• Giddens, A., Duneier, M., Applebaum, R., & Carr, D. (2017). Introduction to sociology (10th ed.). W.W. Norton & Company.
• Grusky, D. B. (2019). Cultural sociology. In D. B. Grusky (Ed.), The Wiley-Blackwell encyclopedia of sociology (pp. 835-839). Wiley-Blackwell.
• Marwick, A. E. (2013). Online identity. In J. M. Darvin & S. J. M. Wakhungu (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of social media and music education (pp. 56-65). Routledge.
• McLuhan, M. (1994). Medium is the message. In L. Grossberg (Ed.), Media theory: An introduction. University of Illinois Press.
• Raynes-Goldie, K. (2010). Aliases, creeping, and wallowing: Identity management and social media. First Monday, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v15i1.2795
• Schudson, M. (2018). The sociology of news. The American Sociologist, 49(2), 157-167.
• Silverstone, R. (1994). Television and everyday life. Routledge.
• Tufekci, Z. (2015). Algorithmic harms beyond Facebook and Google: Emergent challenges of computational agency. Many Voices, Many Understandings, 2015.
• Ward, S. J. (2016). The sociology of media and culture. Routledge.
• Williams, R. (2015). Keywords: A vocabulary of culture and society. Oxford University Press.