5 pages, not including work cited, MLA format. You need to apply theoretical perspectives, concepts, and theories from the book, please bold text like this when the first time you use them.
Sections of the Paper
Introduction
Provide an overview of who you are, including your social location, historical, and/or cultural factors influential in shaping your experiences. Also introduce the major sociological topics you will be analyzing in your paper. Remember, this section does not need a subheading.
Section 1: Society and Culture
Decide on at least 1 sociological topic you want to focus on from part 1 of the class. The topics covered in part 1 include culture, socialization, social structure and social interactions, groups and organizations, and deviance. For the topic(s) you cover, you will want to:
- Discuss events from your life that are related to the sociological topic(s) you have chosen. For example, if you choose culture, you will provide a description of the culture you grew up in and/or the culture you are currently exposed to.
- Apply specific sociological terms, concepts, and/or theories related to your lived experiences. For example, if you are examining culture, you will want to apply concepts such as symbolic culture and material culture and give a breakdown of each in your discussion. Remember, you must use sociological language. Be sure to reference the textbook and provide explanations of the concepts you are discussing (cite the book). The use of sociological terms is necessary for making your work different than the typical autobiography. Although I'm sure your life is very interesting, I do not want your life story without the use of the sociological imagination.
Section 2: Social Inequalities
Decide on at least 1 form of social inequality you want to focus on from part 2 of the class. The topics covered in part 2 include global stratification, social class, race and ethnicity, gender, and age. For the topic(s) you cover, you will want to:
- Discuss events from your life that are related to the sociological topic(s) you have chosen. Examine the impact that your social location has had on your experiences.
- Apply specific sociological terms, concepts, and/or theories related to your lived experiences. Remember, you must use sociological language. Be sure to reference the textbook and/or class notes and provide explanations of the concepts you are discussing (cite the book). The use of sociological terms is necessary for making your work different than the typical autobiography. Although I'm sure your life is very interesting, I do not want your life story without the use of the sociological imagination.
Section 3: Social Institutions
Decide on at least 1 social institution you want to focus on from part 3 of the class. The topics covered in part 3 include family, education, religion, and the economy. For the topic(s) you cover, you will want to:
- Discuss events from your life that are related to the sociological topic(s) you have chosen. For example, if you choose education as one of your major topics, you will provide a description of your own personal experiences related to education and the significant educational events that have occurred in your life.
- Provide a comparison of your experience within this institution to the experiences that those from other groups, societies, or social locations. In other words, examine the impact that your social location has had on your experiences within this social institution.
- Apply specific sociological terms, concepts, and/or theories related to your lived experiences. Remember, you must use sociological language. Be sure to reference the textbook and provide explanations of the concepts you are discussing (cite the book). For example, if you are analyzing the topic of education you may examine the significance of labeling theory, and apply concepts like tracking and the hidden curriculum. The use of sociological terms is necessary for making your work different than the typical autobiography.
Section 4: Theoretical Perspectives
Describe which theoretical perspective(s) most guided your analysis in this paper. Explain if symbolic interactionism, functionalism, and/or conflict theory is most helpful to you when you examine your life experiences. Be sure to reference the book when providing a description of the perspective(s) (cite the book), and provide and explanation of how/why this perspective(s) was useful when examining your life experiences.
Conclusion
Discuss how the personal events in your life are connected to larger social forces from the past or present. For example, how are your personal experiences as a college student connected to the current state of higher education and the economy in our state/country? How are your own personal experiences connected to the experiences of others? Your conclusion should provide a reflection of the insight you have gained from this assignment.