Category: Sociology

Choose one type of family structure discussed in Chapter 10, such as single-parent, multigenerational, same-sex, foster/adoptive, etc.
In a 1 page essay:
Identify and define the key characteristics of the family type you selected.
Based on your research, discuss at least two potential economic or social benefits this family type may provide for its members.
Integrate at least one scholarly source to support your discussion of benefits.
Explain how this family type reflects concepts of family variations or theoretical perspectives from Chapter 10.
Conclusion: Summarize how considering benefits provides a more well-rounded understanding of this family type from a sociological perspective.
The goal is to analyze the positives of family diversity rather than focus on challenges.
Grading Criteria
Depth of Analysis (30%)
Paper demonstrates thoughtful consideration of the selected family type through discussion of key characteristics and potential benefits
Benefits discussed go beyond superficial level to sociologically insightful examination
Use of Evidence (30%)
At least one academic source is correctly cited and integrated to support analysis of benefits
Source is relevant and adds nuance to discussion beyond just common assumptions
Clarity of Writing (20%)
Ideas are presented in a well-organized, logical manner easy for reader to understand
Writing uses clear vocabulary and syntax without errors that impede meaning
Application of Concepts (20%)
Analysis draws appropriate connections between chosen family type and relevant theories/concepts from Chapter 10 reading
Sociological perspective is evident in locating the family type within structural and historical contexts

We will look at Education as a key institution in society (formal, informal education/Universal access)
We will explore, as usual, our paradigms and how they view Education (manifest, latent functions from chapter 1 is back).
Finally, we will look at Issues in Education
I would like you to watch this short video, and comment on it. I am sure you will agree with a lot that’s being said. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okpg-lVWLbE&ab_channel=NextSchool
I would also like you all to use the knowledge you’ve been gaining in this class, and actually lead the discussions for this chapter. What are the important points to take from it? (such as manifest and latent functions, also mentioned in chapter 1).
(the last section dealing with education programs, etc. is not extremely necessary to remember. One read of it is enough. I will not ask you about it in the Final).
How can we make education better? That’s something I always ask my students.

You will need to select the virtual sites that will be used to collect data, collect and organized the data, and then write a research report that summarizes the data collection process.
First, you should decide what specific virtual site(s) or social media site(s) will be used to analyze the group/topic (my topic is indie music enthusiast facebook group) this could be a specific public facebook, reddit, twitter, or other public social group page. If you have already chosen a specific page in your previous assignments they you are good. Just keep using that one. If not, then you will need to select the one or two you would like to use. I suggest only choosing one to narrow down your data collection time. However, if you think the page does not have many posts or you would like to look at more than one then you may choose from 1-3 pages as long as they all represent the same online social group (for example, three pages of Cubs fans). 
Second, you will need to determine what specific posts and reply posts will be included. This is sampling and requires you to make informed selections of data in order to best answer your research question. There are three ways for you to sample your data: select the type of data to be included, determine the time period that will be included, and finally choose a sampling method.  
Types of Data: Will you include reply posts? If so, how many (all, first 10, first 20, etc.) How about memes or videos?
Time Period:  You will not likely be able to collect every post from a site. So you should try to narrow it down using time. Consider the number of posts made on the site in an average week when making your choice. Then decide the date range you will collect your posts. Will new posts on the site be monitored during the data collection period? If so, what will the cut off date be?
Sampling Method: Once you have narrowed down the type of data and time period, then you can create a sampling method to make a decision about what posts are included or not. The aim of sampling method is to avoid having to analyze every post but instead to analyze enough to get a sense of what is going on. Also, you want to randomize the select to avoid your personal bias. It is up to you to determine the sampling method. Options could include every other post until you have 30, the first 30 posts, every post made on Friday until you have 30 posts taken in date order, etc, 
These are your choices that you must decide. Just remember that each selection will change the data you get and likely influence the results of your research. Also, when you are done you need to have at least 30+ posts with some replies. 
Third, you need to collect the actual data. You should collect the posts using screenshots to collect images of the posts with replies. Depending on your device this may take 1-3 screenshots per online post. I suggest saving them as jpg or png files and give the screenshots titles that will help you organize them. For example, use the posts date, number in your sampling, and part number in the title (such as 2.18.23 Post 1, part 2). When you are done you should have a folder image files of 30+ posts. NO NEED TO ANALYZE OR READ THESE YET. WE WILL DO THAT IN THE NEXT ASSIGNMENT.
Once the data has been collected and organized you will then write a report that includes the following:
Description of how the data was collected. This should include a summary of what sites where used, the type of data collected, who collected it, how it was sampled, and how it was organized. 
Description of what data was collected. This should include a summary of what information was documented, including an overview of the quantity. For example, this should include the number of posts, number of reply posts, and number of people represented in the data collected. 
Description of the strengths of the data collected. This should include a summary opinion of the value of the data collected. How well do you think it represents the group? Do you think it will be able to answer your research questions? Why or why not? 
Description of the limitations/weaknesses of the data collected. This should include a summary of what the data does not represent very well about the group being studied. For example, what type of interactions or information is missing or what details are left unknown? (For example, there are no videos in the data). 
Summary of how your group believes the data collected will help you understand the people being studied and how it will help answer the class projects’ research questions.
Screenshot of the folder with all the post screenshot files. This is just to help show that you have the data collected. 
When writing your report, be sure to
Include an introduction and conclusion that summarizes your arguments.
Feel free to write from the collective “we”. (“We are going to study…” or “We found that that…”)
Avoid using bullet points or including the questions in the essay. Instead just write the paper as a cohesive essay that addresses the component parts above
Utilize headings to organize the paper.
Be sure to cite all sources. You should include a reference page and in-text citations using the American Sociological Association (ASA) format to properly cite all sources. See the following links for additional information for ASA formatting:

Research Report Overview and Guidelines
Report Overview: Over the course of the semester, you have been developing and conducting a
quantitative sociological research project using secondary data from the 2018 General Social Survey (GSS). In the final stage of your project, you will report the results of your research in either an 8-12 page (double spaced) research paper OR a ten to fifteen-minute video research presentation.
Report format:
Papers: If you choose to report your results in the form of a paper, your paper should be
approximately 8-12 pages long, including references (note that page lengths will vary depending
on writing style and the number of tables included). You should use a standard 12-point font
(Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri) and one inch margins. Your paper formatting and citations
should follow ASA style.
Video presentation: If you choose to report your results in the form of a presentation, your
video should be approximately ten to fifteen minutes long and should include both slides
(PowerPoint, Google Slides) and audio narration. Your presentation should not exceed 15
minutes in length.
Regardless of which format you choose, your report should include the following sections:
Title
Introduction and Literature Review (can be separated or combined)
Methods
Results
Discussion and Conclusion
References
You have already laid the groundwork for the different sections of your report in your Project
Assignments.
Project Assignments 1 and 2 were designed to get you started on the introduction and
literature review section
Project Assignments 3, 4, and 5 should help you to develop your methods section
Project Assignment 6 will form the basis of your results section
Research Report Overview and Guidelines
Report Overview: Over the course of the semester, you have been developing and conducting a
quantitative sociological research project using secondary data from the 2018 General Social Survey (GSS). In the final stage of your project, you will report the results of your research in either an 8-12 page (double spaced) research paper OR a ten to fifteen-minute video research presentation.
Report format:
Papers: If you choose to report your results in the form of a paper, your paper should be
approximately 8-12 pages long, including references (note that page lengths will vary depending
on writing style and the number of tables included). You should use a standard 12-point font
(Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri) and one inch margins. Your paper formatting and citations
should follow ASA style.
Video presentation: If you choose to report your results in the form of a presentation, your
video should be approximately ten to fifteen minutes long and should include both slides
(PowerPoint, Google Slides) and audio narration. Your presentation should not exceed 15
minutes in length.
Regardless of which format you choose, your report should include the following sections:
Title
Introduction and Literature Review (can be separated or combined)
Methods
Results
Discussion and Conclusion
References
You have already laid the groundwork for the different sections of your report in your Project
Assignments.
Project Assignments 1 and 2 were designed to get you started on the introduction and
literature review section
Project Assignments 3, 4, and 5 should help you to develop your methods section
Project Assignment 6 will form the basis of your results section
Research Presentation Example
Clayman Institute’s State of the Union 2018: Discrimination – David Pedulla  (12:18) 
State of the Union 2018: Discrimination – David PedullaLinks to an external site.

I will provide some pictures of the textbook because you would have to purchase this book. That will be the only source needed for this essay. I have picked the three theorists already (Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, and Georg Simmel). I have taken screenshots of the pages needed with the specific terms that need to be talked about along with the definition of the term (This is better described in the essay instructions I have attached. 
Weber terms:
-Vertehen 
-Calling 
-Protestant ethic 
-Iron cage 
Durkheim terms:
-Collective conscience 
-Ritual
-Mechanical Solidarity and Organic Solidarity (One term)
-Social facts 
Simmel terms:
-Duality 
-Forms and content (One term)
-Blase attitude 
-Tragedy of culture (Need both subjective and objective culture to explain). 
ALL TERMS ARE BOLDED IN THE TEXTBOOK PAGES I WILL ATTACH!!!!!!
Sorry for all of the pages. 

Part 1:  Hello and let us meet you!
Military, married, mother of 2 and owner of a dog. close to family
Part 2:  Discussion Question:
In your opinion, what is family life education and why do you feel it’s important to today’s American families? Please be sure to give an example that clarifies your position (Part 1). After writing part 1, view the following video below and answer the question once again, what is family life education and why do you feel it’s important to today’s American families? (Part 2). Discuss what you learned after viewing the video. What new insight do you have in reviewing the comparisons and contrasts between Part 1 and Part 2? (Part 3).
*Each part can be limited to one paragraph.
VIDEO:An Overview of Family Life Education (youtube.com)

The purpose of this paper is for you to engage a book-length work in terms of what the
author’s sociological message is. As you can tell from the title, Desmond looks at the
issue of housing. In this case-study from the city of Milwaukee, he follows several
people – renters and landlords – as they try to navigate the world of low-income rental
housing in poor, urban neighborhoods. As you will notice, there are no clear victims or
villains here – it’s a much more complicated reality than that.
There are two basic ways you can structure your paper: First, you could pick one of the
people/families you’ll meet in Evicted and use their storyline to conduct a sociological
analysis; or Second, you could pick one issue (mental health, for example) several people
in Evicted deal with. Either way, while I want you to bring in specific details from the
book, you do not need to completely “retell the story”. Rather, use the storyline of one of
the main people, or a discussion of one issue or challenge facing more than one person, to
conduct a sociological analysis.
As with your other papers, start with a clearly stated thesis/argument. In this case, in a
paragraph, explain why the person you chose is in the situation they are in, or why your
chosen issue is a particular challenge. Go beyond mentioning the obvious – that they do
not have enough money. Come up with a specific argument here.
After that, expand this paragraph into an extended discussion of the problems and issues
your chosen person is facing and how a sociologist would explain and analyze them.
From education to health, the criminal justice system, a post-industrial job market, family
dynamics, and other issues – think broadly over the course of the semester and use this
material to explain and analyze Evicted. One of the keys here is to strike a balance
between offering a developed discussion, and not trying to “do everything.” Stay focused
on a clear and specific argument/topic.
Somewhere in your discussion, one thing you need to include is one specific example of
when your chosen person made some sort of mistake – and then talk about what the
consequences of that mistake were. Then briefly talk about if you had made a similar
mistake, and whether or not your consequences would have been the same.
As a concluding paragraph, address “What Should We Do”? Now, after you have read
and reflected on this book, and taken a semester course in sociology – what would you do
from a public policy standpoint to making affordable, stable housing a reality for more
lower-income people? I am going to take one easy answer away from you – don’t talk
about the need for more jobs. Of course, that’s the most crucial thing, but everyone
knows that! What else needs to be done to solve this social problem

This essay exam is designed for you to think across the ideas, issues, and concepts we have covered in the course to date. The questions are intended to be straightforward and your answers may draw on a variety of sources- readings, lecture, discussions, etc. It is best to focus primarily on arguments, examples, and materials from our common reading and activities, although a reference or two from outside our common material is acceptable if you feel it is absolutely necessary. References to specific passages and pages from our reading are highly valued to connect the understandings you express and the texts we have covered. 
Be sure, 1) to answer all parts of the question, 2) to answer the questions directly (keep off-topic digressions to an absolute minimum), 3) to make sure your writing is clear, succinct, and grammatically correct, 4) most importantly, to make sure that your answers do not force me to assume anything about what you understand. Clarity is essential.
Format: Double spaced, 10-12 point font, 1-inch margins. Do not list the question and sub-question and then give short answers. This is an essay. So it should hang together as a composition that analyzes and gives explanations based on the questions asked, drawing from the readings, lecture, discussions, etc. Do not copy the questions verbatim in your essay. This will not count for space used. Your essay should be only your arguments supported using the class sources. Get right into your argument when the essay begins. Be sure to properly cite all sources.
Task: In approximately 3-5 typewritten pages, write an essay addressing one of the following exam prompts.
A key social problem discussed in this course has been class inequality and its influence on people’s everyday lives.  Be sure to use examples from the readings and other course material. You should address the following questions in your answer: What is class inequality? What is poverty? What is the relationship between wealth and poverty as described in the book? How has class inequality and poverty in the U.S. changed over the last sixty years? What are some of the ways that social class standing and poverty influence people’s everyday lives and live outcomes? What is the housing problem in the U.S. on how does it relate to social class inequality? What are some of the social causes and consequences of evictions and housing inequality? What potential policy changes or social action could help does Desmond suggest to help address this social problem?
A key issue for sociologists is social inequality. Describe how gender, race, and social class represent existing social inequalities in society. Be sure to use examples from the readings and other course material. You should address the following questions in your answer: What is social inequality? How are gender, race, and social class sources of social inequality? What evidence is present in the readings for these inequalities? What does it mean that race, gender, and social class are intersectional? What are some examples from course material and readings that demonstrate this intersectionality? What other forms of social inequality (besides race, class, and gender) can you identify?
A key issue for sociologists is social change. Describe social change including the role it plays in society and how sociologists analyze it. Be sure to use examples from the readings and other course material. You should address the following questions in your answer: What is social change? What are some social actors that influence social change? What role do social actors such as social movements play in causing social change? How do the evolutionary and dialectical theories explain social change? What is globalization? What is the connection between globalization and postmodern society? What influence has globalization played in causing social change? Which theory of social change (evolutionary or dialectical) do you think best explains changes from globalization? 
grading will not be based on length but rather on whether the report thoroughly anddresses all the component parts. All components need to be answered by the end of the essay . 
I DO NEED SOURCES but it doesn’t have to be a specific number. 

Students must submit a document with the name of the newspaper article with the appropriate heading. Article/current topic reviews should include a summary of the article/chapter and critique. Find a current event that relates to a chapter in the textbook Essentials of sociology by George Ritzer edition 4 and connect it to a chapter and the sociological theory of the chapter. 

Important Note: 
This final project grade is 130 point of the class, please read the rubric attached with all detials carfully.
From the rubric: 
You will see the below details in the rubric. Please go with option (a) Intership student. 
You will focus your
program/intervention on either option below, depending on whether or not
your are
considered an “Internship Student” or are an “Alternate Pathway” student:
a)    Internship
Students:
Develop
a new program within the organization designed to resolve an internal
organizational
problem that you observed.
(Example
problem: Entry level staff feel alienated from more advanced and established
staff.
Example
Intervention: creating a mentoring program that pairs established staff with
entry level
staff.)
Link from the module:
BUILDING COMMUNITY POWER FOR HEALTH, JUSTICE, & RACIAL EQUITY
https://www.thepraxisproject.org/building-power