The Following Out Of Class Assignments Require The Student T

The Following Out Of Class Assignments Require The Student To Defineu

The following out of class assignments require the student to define/utilize/and apply many relevant sociological concepts presented in the course. These activities are intended to be interesting, fun, and enlightening. Your written response for each assignment below should be between 1.5 and 2 pages in length (typed, double spaced, 12 point font).

#1: Conduct a brief survey of at least 10 people regarding an issue or topic of your choice related to sociology. Look at the chapter titles in the book for ideas. In a brief summary paper include the survey, summarize your findings, and draw conclusions regarding your research.

#4: Evaluate a book, movie or television show episode. In writing the brief paper, do not simply summarize, but rather interpret the book/movie/episode in terms of sociological concepts, phenomena, and research addressed in the text and/or in class.

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment requires students to produce two sociologically oriented papers, each emphasizing different skills and analytical approaches. The first involves designing and conducting a survey centered on a sociological issue or topic, followed by summarizing the survey results and drawing conclusions based on the data collected. The second entails evaluating a cultural product—a book, film, or television episode—by interpreting it through the lens of sociological theories, concepts, and research discussed in class or the textbook, rather than simply providing a summary.

Conducting the first assignment helps students develop practical research skills and deepens their understanding of sociological phenomena by engaging directly with individuals in the community. Selecting a relevant issue, creating an effective survey questionnaire, and analyzing the responses enables students to see sociology in action outside the classroom. Analyzing the survey data encourages the application of sociological theories such as socialization, norms, or social stratification, depending on the topic chosen. Drawing well-supported conclusions fosters critical thinking about societal patterns and individual behaviors related to the issue.

The second assignment focuses on interpretative skills and the ability to connect pop culture with sociological concepts. Evaluating a book, film, or show episode through a sociological lens involves identifying themes such as social inequality, roles and statuses, deviance, or cultural norms. This process demands a thorough understanding of key sociological theories—such as conflict theory, functionalism, symbolic interactionism—and the ability to use evidence from the media piece to illustrate these concepts. Instead of merely describing the content, students analyze underlying social messages, stereotypes, power dynamics, and societal impacts portrayed or implied within the media.

Both assignments reinforce essential sociological skills: empirical research methods, critical analysis, and theoretical application. They encourage students to see societal issues in everyday life and to critically interpret cultural artifacts, fostering a comprehensive understanding of how sociology explains human behavior and social structures. Successfully completing these tasks will improve students’ ability to think analytically about societal issues, engage with sociological literature, and communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively.

References

  • Giddens, A. (2013). Sociology (7th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Ritzer, G. (2011). Sociological Theory (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Grusky, D. B., & Szelenyi, I. (2011). The Inequality Reader: Contemporary and Foundational Readings in Race, Class, and Gender. Westview Press.
  • Haralambos, M., & Holborn, M. (2008). Sociology: Themes and Perspectives. HarperCollins.
  • Henslin, J. M. (2014). Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (11th ed.). Pearson.
  • McLuhan, M. (1964). Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Reed, E. (2020). Sociology of Popular Culture. Routledge.
  • Andersen, M. L., & Taylor, H. F. (2014). Sociology: The Essentials. Cengage Learning.
  • Lemann, J. (1993). The Promised Land: The Great Black Migration and How It Changed America. Vintage.
  • Schwalbe, M., et al. (2012). Generic Sociological Competencies and Applying Sociology to Everyday Life. Routledge.

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