Essay question: Explain what Peter Conrad means by “medicalization” and, focusing on specific examples from
his essay, elaborate on why he suggests that it is increasingly driven by commercial interests
rather than by the
considered view of physicians and medical professionals.
Guidelines: Provide a clear claim, or thesis, and use the response as a way to support your claim through
the use of evidence from the readings and videos drawing on examples and quotations. Provide specific
details regarding the particular social phenomenon/institution you are analyzing. Organize your ideas
as an outline before writing your response and, finally, proofread it for errors of spelling and grammar.
Please review and follow the “Elements of
Effective Sociological Writing”
included below.
Basic requirements: Responses must be between 800-1000 words, typed, 12-point Times New Roman
font,
double-spaced, with 1-inch margins. All essays MUST include a bibliography.
Elements of Effective Sociological Writing:
1. Good sociological writing is clear and precise. When you write sentences that can be interpreted in
many
different ways you demonstrate that you are thinking in a vague way. Write so that you make
clear and precise what you mean.
2. Sociological thinking is grounded in the real world. When you do not use concrete examples and
illustrations to
make your points clear, you demonstrate that you do not know how to clarify your
thought as a sociologist. Give relevant examples and illustrations that are focused on the existing social
world.
3. Good sociological thinking is logical. When you do not make clear with appropriate transitional
words and critical vocabulary the logical relations between the sentences and paragraphs you write you
reveal that you do not fully
understand the structure of your own reasoning. Make clear the logical
relations between the sentences and
paragraphs that you write.
4. Sociological thinking is analytic. When you fail to employ key sociological concepts and to
demonstrate their
logic you show that you are weak at conceptual analysis. Use key sociological
concepts in your written work wherever appropriate.
5. Sociological thinking is always focused on sociological questions. When you fail to clarify the
questions and/or issues you are dealing with or when you drift from one issue to the next, you reveal a
lack of intellectual discipline,
focus and understanding of what each issue you raise requires of you.
You also demonstrate a lack of sense of
relevance. Clarify the questions and or issues you are focusing
on and stick to them throughout the written piece. Show how each point you make is relevant to the
sociological questions/issues you are pursuing.
6. Good sociological thinking does not jump to conclusions. When you make sweeping judgments
about a position you have not sufficiently analyzed you demonstrate intellectual laziness and/or
arrogance. Show in your writing that you have considered a variety of reasonable ways of looking at
the issue.
