Overview
Final Research Essay for Urban Sociology
Soc 158
Abstract 200words
You will submit a 200-word abstract that must include each of the following:
1) An overview of the issue you will be analyzing: a trend in urbanization, sides of a
policy debate, a struggle over urban development, etc.
2) A central question that your essay is going to answer or examine.
3) (If you have it at this point) A clear thesis statement of your argument.
4) A sentence or two about how the paper is organized, and argument is developed.
You may also submit an outline, which can be as developed or rudimentary as you like,
the main thing I want to see is how you’re planning to connect our readings and concepts
covered in the work to a case of your choosing.
*Abstracts will not be graded, but failure to submit one will result in a half-grade
reduction from the final paper.
*Abstracts are not submitted with final paper
For further guidance on writing for Sociology:
http://sociology.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/...
e/Writing%20for%20Sociology%20Guide%20Second%20Edition.pdf
Final Paper Length: 1250 – 1500 words (5 pages double-spaced)
Overview
For the final paper, students will be responsible for investigating a place-specific topic in
LA or another city/suburb such as gentrification in West Adams, urban (re)development
around the LA Olympics, police reform in South LA, the suburbanization of poverty in
Irvine, etc. through secondary research (news articles, policy reports, census data,
academic articles). Whatever research topic and case that you chose to focus on, you
must deploy the conceptual tools and empirical cases from the readings and lectures to
analyze, interpret, and form a position on your issue.
Key Elements
*Number of Paragraphs for each section are suggestions only*
Substantive
- Introduction: A central question that your essay is going to answer or examine. A
clear thesis statement of your argument (1-2 paragraphs)
- Background: Historical background of the neighborhood, city, or region in
relation to your issue. Demographic context of ethnicity, class, and other census
variables (1-2 paragraphs).
- Analysis: Combining course readings and outside sources to analyze your issue
(i.e. a trend in urbanization, sides of a policy debate, a struggle over urban
development, an urban social problem). (The bulk of the paper)
- Conclusion: Ties together elements of the analysis back to your argument. (1
paragraph)
o Optional addition to the conclusion: Policy Recommendation(s)
Connecting your analysis to make an argument for policies and practices
that can be adopted by governments, NGO’s, individuals or businesses. (1-
3 paragraphs).
Formal
- 1250-1500 words, double-spaced, one-inch margins, with page numbers, and a
Title. (Abstracts should not be included in the final paper submission)
- Engages with four or more readings from the course. Two of these four should be
engaged with substantially – i.e. more than a single sentence or passing reference,
drawing on a key concept or central argument, specific example(s), etc. Uses
specific examples and quotations from the texts to support analysis. Lecture
material can be cited and count as one of the required course readings and/or
Articles/Chapters included in the Honors Section syllabus.
- Engages with four or more outside sources (newspaper articles, census data,
academic articles, books, podcasts, other media)- In-line citations (author year: pg number) ie (Smith 1996: 23).
- A list of works cited (not included in the word count). I do not care which specific
format you chose, but it should be an official format (ie Chicago, MLA, ASA, etc)
and be consistent.