Getting Started
To successfully complete this assignment, you should read the C. Wright Mills article, read
the first two chapters of the book, and review your class notes and/or the Power Point
slides so that you have a solid understanding of the sociological imagination.
Assignment Overview
Select a contemporary social issue and then use the sociological imagination to analyze why
it is occurring. (Note: The Mills article and the Power Point slides discuss social issues vs.
personal troubles.)
Step One: Select a Social Issue
You can pick any social issue youd like, but here are some categories that might help you:
Aging and ageism Health and Health Care Schools and Education
Gender Inequality Racial and Ethnic Inequality Alcohol and Other Drugs
Poverty Work and the Economy Relationships and Family
The Environment Sexual Behavior War and Terrorism
Media Urban or Rural Problems Crime and Criminal Justice
For example, for Alcohol and Other Drugs you could analyze the rising abuse of
prescription drugs. Or for The Environment you could analyze why the U.S. produces
more garbage than any other nation. Or for Health and Health Care you could analyze
why childhood obesity has risen so much in the past few decades. Pick something that
interests you! Feel free to look through the textbook for ideas. Do not pick an issue that we
have already analyzed during class time; grades will be reduced if you do that.
Step Two: Apply the Sociological Imagination
Write a paper that analyzes your social issue using the sociological imagination. Ask
yourself, how has society contributed to this social issue? What social changes have
occurred that may help explain this trend? How might the social structure contribute to
this social issue? Are certain social groups more vulnerable to this social issue than others?
Assignment Details
Clearly identify your social issue at the beginning of your paper.
Then analyze your social issue addressing some (if not all) of the questions identified
above in step two. Provide detailed and comprehensive explanations so that I
understand your reasoning.
Make sure you are thinking sociologically about the social issue and are using the
sociological imagination in your analysis. Do not write about your personal opinions or
personal experiences.
Make direct references to ideas from the Mills article, the textbook, and information
from class (e.g., Power Point slides discussing social structure, time periods, patterns,
groups, human agency) to clearly demonstrate how you are thinking sociologically.
Format and Grading Criteria
Save your assignment in a .doc or .pdf format. Upload to Blackboard.
Proofread to minimize spelling/grammar mistakes. Organize your thoughts into
coherent paragraphs. Write in a professional, academic tone. Clearly state the issue you
are analyzing. (5%)
Demonstrate that you understand the sociological imagination and can examine your
social issue through a sociological lens. Show you can analyze an issue from a variety of
sociological angles (and not just provide one or two basic explanations). (15%)
Keep the analysis sociological and do not focus attention on individual shortcomings or
personal opinions. (15%)
Make clear references to important concepts from the Mills article, classroom material,
and the textbook. (40%)
Exert sufficient effort. Provide details and comprehensive explanations in each
paragraph. Good papers should run at least 600+ words. (25%)
