Posted: March 20th, 2017

SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology

Final Paper
Sociological Analysis
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
For this essay, you will need to apply a sociological analysis to your own personal biography. Using your sociological imagination, interrogate how you came to be who you are today.

As should become apparent, the sociological imagination is a key element of the sociological perspective. Here is the idea in a nutshell: Social arrangements external to us affect our everyday lives in ways that are sometimes not obvious or immediately apparent. In other words, our personal biographies and ways in which we come to make sense of the world are shaped by social history. Yet, what does this mean? How have larger social and historical events had an impact on your own life?

To complete this paper, you’ll want to reflect on your own personal biography and connect it to broader historical and sociological processes discussed throughout the class. Consider some of the following questions:

• What were the major news events taking place when you were young?
• What were the dominant social and political concerns at that time?
• What was the state of the economy?
• What was considered fashionable in clothing, movies, music, etc.?
• Which political party dominated nationally and locally? How did this shape dynamics?
• What role did race, class and gender play in your biography?
• Think about the interplay between structure and agency in your own biography. How much of what and who you are is because of your own choices or the context within which they were made or constrained?

In your essay, explain what a sociological perspective is to someone who has never heard of the concept before and detail how the sociological imagination helps you understand your thoughts, behaviors, and life circumstances. Then, using the concepts, theories and ideas learned throughout the class, describe how conditions and events occurring at the beginning of your personal biography (i.e., birth) affected the way you were raised, the values instilled in you, and the lasting effects these historical circumstances had on the person you are today. How did the sociological perspective help you understand how the social history at the time of your birth shaped who you are today? Remember, you are trying to understand the interplay between your individual life experiences and the larger social and political context of those experiences. This section is the heart of the paper and should demonstrate your ability to apply sociological concepts to your personal biography. Make sure to explain yourself completely (avoid simply saying, “not really” or “a lot”). Also make sure to tie all your observations and analysis back to the readings from this class.

Be sure to cite (see below for a guide to make that easier). Since you only have 1200 – 1500 words, your writing will have to be concise and clear. Give some thought to how certain events impacted the quality of your young life, and what you came to value and expect as “normal.” Make an outline of ideas you want to include and then begin writing.

Formal Requirements
(failure to meet formal requirements will result in point deduction)

1) The paper should be 1200-1500 words. You should have a clear introduction with thesis, organized body of the paper and a conclusion. If you are uncertain about how to properly construct the paper, please visit the Writing Center.
https://www.harpercollege.edu/catalog/current/b_resources/writing.php

2) Writing is to be formal, academic, analytic and be well-edited. Do not submit your first draft. Be sure to edit for proper grammar, mechanics, syntax and style.

3) Include a header on the first page with your name, name of the class, and the date. Include a title for the paper.

4) Include a minimum of 3 sources from our class readings (text and articles). Each chapter of text can count as a different source.

5) All papers must be typed and double-spaced. Use 12 point Times New Roman font. Each page should be numbered and all margins should be 1 inch.

6) Include a reference page and in-text citations. Use the following guide for citation style.

7) Submit the essay via Blackboard. Go to Module 3, find the file for “Sociological Essay” and submit the essay following the instructions.

Citation Examples:

Citations in the text:
(author, year) Example: (Collins, 1990)
Direct Quote in Text:
(author, year: p#) Example: (Collins, 1990: 222)

Reference Page:
Books – author last name, first name. year. Title. place where published: publishing house.
Example: Davis, Mike. 2001. Magical Urbanism. New York: Verso.

Journal Articles – Author last name, first name. year. “Title of article.” Name of journal. Issue number and page number
Example: Liu, Cathy Yang and Ric Kolenda. 2014: 2024 – Essay Writing Service. Custom Essay Services Cheap. “Counting and Understanding the Contingent
Workforce: Using Georgia as an Example.” Urban Studies 49(5): 1003-1025.

Newspaper articles – Author last name, first name. year. “Title of newspaper article.” Name of newspaper, date.
Example: Trebay, Guy. 1998. “Out of the Garret: A New Study Examines the Economic Life of Artists.” Village Voice, October 21.

Internet – Author last name, first name. year. “Title of website article.” Name of source, date. Retrieved at: website address
Trebay, Guy. 1998. “Out of the Garret: A New Study Examines the Economic Life of Artists.” Village Voice, October 21. Retrieved at: Http://www.villagevoice.com/news/9843,trebay,895,1.html

Additional resource for research, writing and citation:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

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