Topic idea #1

Instructions

The Topic Idea & Theory Selection is the first assignment for the Sociological Analysis Project.

You will select a social problem to research and prepare a written report. You may choose to evaluate a social concern, issue, event, or phenomenon from a sociological perspective; examine the social construction of personal identity; or evaluate the roots of a social movement.

Your research paper (at the end of the semester) will include key sociological concepts and theories while demonstrating the sociological perspective throughout. There will be individual assignments along the way. Specific grading criteria for each step of the project is provided. See Guidelines for Sociological Analysis Project.’

1/2 typed page. This can be in formatted like an outline or written as a paragraph.

Assignment for Step 1 Topic Idea and Theory Selection.

For this first assignment you will need to choose a social problem specific in its characteristics (see examples in the Guidelines for Sociological Analysis Project), explain why the topic is of interest to you, how it is relevant to sociology, and what sociological theory could be used to explain the topic. Remember you will need to choose a sociological theory to help shed light on your topic — conflict, symbolic interactionism, or functionalism theory.