Part 2 Inequality Assignment 320 Points (For points in this course)
All students at UNT who take this course are required to complete the Inequality Assignment. This assignment is used for assessment purposes, but we will also use it as a graded assignment for this course. The Inequality assignment goes well with Part 2 of our course which is all about Fault Lines…Social Divisions and Inequality. In this part of the course, we learn about stratification, gender inequality, race inequality, and poverty. This assignment culminates into a short, properly formatted paper that is 2-5 pages in length.
Students will turn this assignment in twice in Canvas:
- Once for UNT assessment purposes (ungraded, but you will earn a Complete or Incomplete grade for this submission); and again
- For this course as a graded assignment (worth 320 points).
Dr. Gregg's Instructions
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is for students to demonstrate an ability to synthesize numerical data and sociological theoretical perspectives.
Theory: Throughout the semester (and especially in Part 2 of the course), we have developed an understanding of various sociological theories including conflict theories, functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and other theories related to race, class, and gender (such as intersectionality).
The Data: In this exercise, you will use the data provided in the 4 Figures embedded in the syllabus (and in Canvas) to identify numerical patterns and then explain the patterns you see by applying any two sociological theoretical perspectives we have learned about in this course.
The Course Material: This means that you are REQUIRED to use Dalton Conley’s 8th Ed. of You May Ask Yourself: An Introduction to Thinking Like a Sociologist in your writing to explain the patterns you see in the data.
Guidance: To help you get started, below is the outline that should be used to guide the development of the paper.
Paragraph | Purpose | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
Paragraph 1 | Introduction | To Do: To open the paper, state the issue and concept of what you will be presenting in the paper. Introduce Conley and the source of the data you will be using to discuss inequality. Then, develop a clear thesis statement. |
Paragraph 2 | Data | To Do: Review the four figures provided looking for patterns you see pertaining to race and/or gender. Jot down some notes. In your writing, state patterns in the data and extrapolate possible social connections focusing on inequality. In other words, do you see evidence of any inequality in the patterns you observe? |
Paragraphs 3-6 | Theory/Data | To Do: Review Conley’s book for possible theoretical explanations for the patterns you see in the data. Focus on Chs 7 – 10 (which we used to study inequality for the course), but you can also use Ch11 which is specifically about Health and Society (which we do not use for the course). In at least 2 paragraphs (1 for each theory), give a brief review of the theories you use to make sense of the observed patterns in the data. Apply each theory as it relates to the data. Quote Conley and cite appropriately in these paragraphs. |
Paragraph 7 | Conclusion | To Do: To wrap up your paper, think BIG PICTURE. Explain what the connections you made between theory and data mean for society. Try to focus on the social implications present in the data. In other words, WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN FOR SOCIETY? Strive to explain how these patterns relate to inequality in society. |
Note: You do not need to discuss all data visualizations provided below. You may focus on one or multiple, depending on the social theories you choose to use in your writing. You can choose to focus on patterns you see pertaining to just race, or just gender, or you can focus on both. What is most important is that you use two sociological theories learned from Conley’s book to make sense of the data, as well as using the data to support, build on, or challenge existing theories related to inequality.
Formatting Requirements:
The assignment must adhere to the following formatting requirements:
- The paper must be at least 2 pages (but no more than 5 pages).
- The paper must be written in 12-point Times New Roman font.
- The paper must be double spaced.
- All page margins must be 1-inch.
- Any text or other sources that paraphrased, quoted, or used for general guidance must be cited appropriately, using any conventional citation method you are familiar with (e.g., APA, MLA, ASA, etc.). If you are not familiar with a citation method, seek assistance from the instructor or the free University writing lab.
- The Purdue Owl is a valuable resource for formatting. You are encouraged to use this source if you have any formatting questions.
ACCOMMODATIONS NOTE: The figures from the Kaiser Family Foundation below are not accessible and do not meet ADA guidelines. In Canvas there is an Excel spreadsheet where the data is accessible for all. Please reach out if you need help accessing the documents available for this writing assignment.
How You Will Be Graded (for this course):
- Directions/Writing/Format (30 points)
- Coherent Introduction (first paragraph) (40 points)
- Analysis of Data (next paragraph) (60 points)
- Use of 2 theories (paragraphs 2-6) (160 points)
- Conclusion (last paragraph) (30 points)
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 can be found in the Syllabus and in the Module called Part 2 Inequality Assignment.