Sociology in Action Activity 1

Sociology in Action Activity #1

Sociology in Action Project

Project Overview (Traditional essay will not be graded, automatic 0). NO ESSAY/WORD SUBMISION HERE

The Sociology in Action Project is your opportunity to apply the sociological imagination to a topic related to your academic major, career goals, or an area of personal interest.

Rather than writing a traditional research paper, you will create an engaging project that teaches others about your topic through a format of your choice.

Your project should demonstrate your understanding of:

• The Sociological Imagination
• Macro, Meso, and Micro perspectives
• Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist perspectives
• Real-world applications of sociology

Step 1: Choose Your Topic

Identify your major (or intended career field) and select a topic that interests you. These are examples, please feel free to choose your own.

Examples include:

• Business → Corporate Culture
• Nursing → Patient Care
• Criminal Justice → Police-Community Relations
• Education → Classroom Inequality
• Psychology → Mental Health
• Social Work → Homelessness
• Agriculture → Food Insecurity

Choose a topic that genuinely interests you.

Step 2: Apply the Sociological Imagination

Briefly explain C. Wright Mills' concept of the Sociological Imagination.

Then explain how your topic connects:

• Personal experiences
• Social institutions
• Historical events
• Larger social structures

Step 3: Analyze Your Topic

Macro Perspective

How does society as a whole influence your topic?

Consider:

• Government
• Economy
• Culture
• Social institutions
• National or global trends

Meso Perspective

How do organizations, communities, or groups influence your topic?

Examples:

• Schools
• Hospitals
• Businesses
• Churches
• Neighborhoods

Micro Perspective

How does your topic affect individuals?

Consider:

• Daily interactions
• Personal experiences
• Individual decision making

Step 4: Apply Sociological Theories

Explain your topic using each of the following:

Functionalism

How does your topic contribute to society?

What are the functions and dysfunctions?

Conflict Theory

Who benefits?

Who experiences the disadvantages?

How does power or inequality influence the topic?

Symbolic Interactionism

How do people create meaning around your topic?

What symbols, language, labels, or everyday interactions shape how people understand it?

Step 5: Reflection

Reflect on how sociology changed the way you think about your topic.

What surprised you?

How has the sociological imagination influenced your understanding of your future profession?

Project Format Options

Students may choose ONE of the following formats:

• 🎨 Canva Presentation (links are not accepted)
• 📊 Infographic
• 🖥️ Narrated PowerPoint
• 🎥 Video Presentation (3–5 minutes)
• 🎙️ Podcast (3–5 minutes)
• 📸 Photo Essay
• 📰 Digital Magazine
• 📱 Social Media Awareness Campaign
• 🎬 Digital Story
• 💡 Other instructor-approved creative format

Project Requirements

Regardless of the format selected, every project must:

✔ Explain the Sociological Imagination

✔ Analyze the topic using Macro, Meso, and Micro perspectives

✔ Apply all three sociological theories

✔ Include at least two credible sources

✔ Cite all sources using APA format

Criteria	Points
Understanding of Sociological Imagination	20
Macro, Meso & Micro Analysis	25
Application of Sociological Theories	25
Critical Thinking & Real-World Connections	20
Organization, Creativity & Professionalism	10

Sociology in Action Activities

Project Submission Requirements

Projects may be submitted as videos, narrated presentations, Canva designs, infographics, podcasts, or other instructor-approved formats.

• Submit your project through Canvas by the posted deadline.
• If your project is shared using a link (Canva, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.), you are responsible for ensuring the link is accessible.
• If I cannot open your project because of sharing restrictions or an invalid link, it will be considered incomplete and a 0 will be scored.
• Whenever possible, submit your project as a PDF, PowerPoint (.pptx), MP4 video, or other downloadable file rather than a shared link.
• Do not submit a link to Canva or any other website, you must upload to Canvas. Links will not be graded if I click on it and it does not open normally.

Throughout the semester, students will complete two Sociology in Action Activities designed to connect sociological concepts to everyday life. These activities encourage students to observe, analyze, and apply sociology outside of the classroom.

Activities may include observations, community engagement, visual projects, current events, or other instructor-selected experiences.

Unless otherwise noted, students may choose the format in which they submit their work. Acceptable formats include:

• 📸 Photo Essay
• 🎨 Canva Infographic
• 🖥️ Narrated PowerPoint
• 🎥 Short Video (2–4 minutes)
• 🎙️ Podcast
• 📊 Visual Poster
• 📱 Digital Story
• 📄 One-page written reflection (optional) in addition to above format.

All submissions must clearly demonstrate the application of sociological concepts discussed in class.

Sociology in Action Activity #1

Participant Observation

Conduct a participant observation by attending or observing a group, event, or social setting.

Examples include:

• Community event
• Religious service
• Sporting event
• Coffee shop
• Volunteer organization
• Campus event
• Cultural celebration

You are not limited to these examples. Obtain permission when appropriate.

Your project should demonstrate:

• Description of the setting
• Sociological observations
• Patterns or behaviors observed
• Connections to course concepts
• Personal reflection on what you learned