For this option you are to take an event that has happened or is happening and explain it sociologically. So, the sociological imagination should be used for this. Think about that as you analyze this. How did/does the intersection of history and biography and any other relevant social forces coalesce to form this event or phenomenon? This should inform your analysis. What social forces are at work?
Analyze a major event sociologically. Analyzing something sociologically is very different than reporting your opinion. In fact, please leave out any opinion and instead analyze the event using course concepts and theories. This is how to analyze something sociologically. Sociology is adept at explaining society today, as such, it is a good idea to not choose a historical event.
Be sure to include the following questions in your analysis (but do not be limited to just these items):
Why did this happen from a sociological perspective? This is a complicated question that requires a nuanced discussion of intersecting social forces, sociological concepts and sociological theories. It is a macro question for sure!
What social context did it occur in? (for example rising hate crimes against Asian Americans in the wake of COVID-19 weren’t new; there’s a long history of this in The United States). This is where you detail the history leading up to this event/phenomenon. That is, using the sociological imagination, what are the intersections between the history and the biography?
How many are affected annually by the problem (if this applies)?
Use sociological vocabulary, course concepts and sociological theories like functionalism, conflict theory, intersectionality and symbolic interactionism. Thoroughly explain your ideas.
Which sociological theory(ies) best explains this event? Does it take multiple theories? Theory and course concepts should take up the bulk of your paper. The sociological analysis is everything.
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