Overview
Writing Assignment: The History of an Idea
Below is a list of key concepts that are analyzed in this class. Your assignment is to select one concept, and, in a four to six-page, double-spaced paper, research its significance by conducting a literature review. Critically analyze the concept in a brief essay which clearly examines the meaning of the concept as it has been defined and interpreted by different theorists. Your analysis should begin with a review of the concept from the perspective of the theorist studied in this class. For instance, if you decide to analyze the concept of “reification,” begin your analysis with a summary of Georg Lukacs’ view of the concept, and then in the remainder of the paper explore the origins (intellectual roots) of the concept (i.e., before Lukacs), and the subsequent development of the concept (i.e., after Lukacs). If you wish to write on a course concept that is not on the list, please ask the instructor for permission.
You are required to employ at least six published sources in your analysis of a concept. Your sources should include a sample of studies that are published in reputable journals or books, and authored by different social theorists. You may use the assigned course reading as source material, but you will receive more credit for finding and analyzing sources that are not included on the syllabus. Be advised that most of the theories presented in this class are part of on-going theoretical debates between different schools of thought within sociology. Your analysis should summarize and review these publications within the larger context of these debates (when relevant).
The papers will be graded according to the following criteria: 1) The ability to articulate a clear and concise understanding of the concept presented in the course; 2) The ability to find sources within the literature that have a close bearing on the concept; 3) The ability to compare and contrast (in writing) the ideas and claims of the different theorists.
Since the page limit is short, keep quotes brief; no long passages in quotes. If you quote someone or make allusions to their ideas in your paper, place their name, the publication year of the work, and the page number in a parenthetical statement like thus: (Jepson, 2015: p.156). A full citation of the work should be made in the bibliography at the end of the paper. The instructor and TAs will discuss paper ideas proposals, but we will not read or review draft papers. The paper is due on or before the day of the final class meeting, Wednesday, June 5 by 5:00, and must be uploaded as a Word or PDF file to the “Writing Assignment” link on the “Assignments” page of your TA’s Canvas site. No papers will be accepted after the deadline.
List of Concepts
Simulation Society
Hegemony
Generalized Other
Liquid Modernity
I and Me
Impression Management
Meritocracy
Technical Rationality
Hyperspace
Scientism
Reification
Legitimation Crisis
Class-In-Itself-Class-For Itself
Ideal Speech Community
Anomie
AGIL system
Dramaturgy
Historicity
Feminine Mystique
Panopticon
Managerial Revolution
Definition of the Situation
Latent/Manifest functions
Interlocking Directorates
Pluralism of Conflict
Safety-Valve Institutions
Legitimation Crisis
Functions of Conflict
Monopoly Capitalism
Problem of Motivation
Role-taking/Reflexivity
Frames/Framing
Stigma
Power Elite
Core/Periphery/Semi-Periphery
Action Systems
Latent/Manifest interests
Habitus
Life-world
Intersectionality