Sociological Imagination Paper

Sociology covers a very broad range of topics, such as culture, socialization, social interaction, social class and economic inequality, gender and gender inequality, race and racism, government, labor and the economy, family life, education, and more. For this assignment, I want you to use your sociological imagination by selecting the topic that you find most interesting, and then thinking critically and writing a paper where you show me that you can apply the sociological imagination to your own life.
Is there a particular topic that resonated with you as we discussed it in class or as you completed the course readings? Once you have chosen the specific topic you want to write about, I want you to write a paper where you (a) identify your topic; (b) provide a brief description of the key sociological concepts, theories, etc. associated with that topic; and then (c) critically reflect upon the ways in which your personal, lived experiences connect to the broader sociological patterns associated with your topic. Stated simply, the goal of your paper will be for you to apply your sociological imagination by putting on your “sociological thinking hat,” so to speak, and showing me that you are able to interpret your world through a sociological lens. Through your paper, you will be demonstrating your ability to make connections between your life and the broader society.
In keeping with the course objectives spelled out in the syllabus, your paper should ideally: identify and explain key sociological concepts; apply these concepts and theories to real-world situations and/or current events; critically examine how large-scale social institutions (such as the family, education, work, politics, or whichever realm of social life you choose to examine) have shaped your life and the society in which you live; and demonstrate your comprehension of the course material. I will be looking for evidence that you have done the required reading, have paid attention in class, and have reflected upon how the reading and other course materials speak to your own life. (For an assignment like this, by the way, it is perfectly acceptable to write in the first person! It can even be similar to writing a personal journal entry, albeit a particularly analytical one.)
Your paper should be 4-5 pages long, typed, double-spaced, Times or Times New Roman 12 point font, and should have standard margins. College-level writing is expected for this assignment. You must incorporate at least three references to our textbook. Outside references are also acceptable, but not required. Please include in-text citations and a separate list of references (which will not count towards the page total). Put your identifying information (name, date, class) on a separate title page (which will also not count towards the page total). I am not particular about the style of your paper, as long as you are consistent and provide citations. When in doubt, you may simply follow ASA (American Sociological Association)
style guidelines, which can be found in the Course Resources module as well as through the following link:
https://sociology.fas.harvard.edu/files/sociology/files/asastyleguide.pdf
Tip: If you would like to get an idea of what your paper should look like, two sample papers can be found in our Course Resources module in Canvas. They are real papers written by students who have previously taken this class; rather than “templates” to be followed in the strict sense, they should serve as inspiration for your own writing.
As stated on the course syllabus, this assignment is worth a total of 50 points. Here is the rubric (or scoring guide) I will be using to evaluate your work:
Identifies sociological topic (4 points)
Briefly explains key sociological concepts and/or theories relevant to the chosen topic (8 points)
Effectively illustrates connections between large-scale sociological patterns and the author’s lived experiences (20 points)
Incorporates three (3) or more references to the course textbook (6 points)
Incorporates proper grammar / spelling / punctuation (6 points)
Includes in-text citations (3 points)
Includes a separate title page and list of references (3 points)
As always, do not hesitate to DM me through Canvas if you have any questions, need help selecting a topic, or have begun working on this assignment and simply want to make sure you’re on the right track. I’m here to help!