Analytical Framework
Social Topics
Themes/Concepts
• Intersectionality
• Race and Ethnicity
• Immigration
• Class
• Gender
• Sexuality
• Media
• Criminal Justice
• Structure and Agency
o Social Structure
o Social institutions
o Agency
• Hegemonic masculinity
• Patriarchy
• Racism
• Racial formation
• Colorblind privilege
• White privilege
• Racist nativism
• Criminalization of immigrants
• Segregation
• Internalized oppression
• Assimilation
• Toxic inequality
• Gendered and racialized capitalism
• Workplace discrimination
• Racialized femininities
• Transgender or non-binary issues
• Learning masculinity
• Controlling images
DEVELOPING YOUR OUTLINE
Introduction:
• TOPIC STATEMENT(S) Engage topic statement(s) that entertains a sociological imagination in relationship to studying education
• THESIS STATEMENT Thesis Statement: should be a statement, on what you intend to prove in your paper. Thesis includes a mention of the main points to come. Should include the sociological framework you are using to approach your testimonial (e.g. Through an intersectional lens, I argue that as a first-generation American woman, I have experienced various levels of both oppression and privilege regarding my racial and gender identities that have deeply shaped my hopes and dreams.
• ROADMAP/Conclusion of introduction: include a roadmap of your paper. Which concepts are you using? (e.g. In this testimonial, I will first discuss how my gender has shaped my life and influenced my pathway towards a four-year university after high school. I will then discuss how…. I will finally discuss how….
Body
Things to think about:
• Are you going to organize your paper chronologically? Thematically by concepts?
• Which main social issues/themes/concepts you will discuss?
• Which readings will you be using/citing as evidence?
• How will you transition new themes and concepts and make sure that everything is flowing and matching up to your argument?
Main Social Topic/Issue #1
Define related themes/concepts (cite your reference):
Paraphrase or Direct quote:
How does this theme/concept build on your thesis?
Main Social Topic/Issue #2
Define related themes/concepts (cite your reference):
Paraphrase or Direct quote:
How does this theme/concept build on your thesis?
Main Social Topic/Issue #3
Define related themes/concepts (cite your reference):
Paraphrase or Direct quote:
How does this theme/concept build on your thesis?
References
(start listing your references from the course readings that you are using in APA or ASA format)
Sociology 356: Social Inequalities
Final Paper: My Life Through a Sociological Lens (Analytical Testimonial)
Sociological imagination is “the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and the wider society.” -C. Wright Mills
There are three primary characteristics of the sociological imagination: history, biography and social structure. By using our sociological imagination, we can position ourselves in reality and have an enhanced understanding of ourselves and others through a grasp of the links between personal experiences versus historical, structural, and social forces. In this paper, you will undertake a critical contemplation on the factors that seem to have influenced your life choices and chances. You will use the sociological imagination as the tool to examine your own life and provide a testimonial analytical discussion of 2-3 social issues/topics/concepts that have impacted your own lived experience. This will involve a critical analysis since you attempting to link personal experience to broader social issues.
This 5-6 page testimonial paper consists of information gleaned from your own personal life and class material. The objective is to document the story of your own lived experience through a sociological lens. The paper can be, but does not have to be, in chronological covering major life stages. Or you can also organize your paper by themes and concepts.
A successful testimonial should demonstrate a mastery of the course’s themes and concepts, supported with readings and other course materials. Please make sure your testimonial covers the following list of requirements:
1. You must utilize and engage an intersectionality lens to analyze your experiences. Make sure to define intersectionality and utilize the framework as an analytical tool.
2. Bring in 2-3 topics/themes/concepts that will enable you to discuss the events that have influenced your life trajectory. Every time you first introduce a theme/concept from lecture or readings, please make sure to define the term and cite the author/class lecture appropriately.
3. A strong paper will weave into the discussion how institutions (i.e. legal systems, economic structures, family, religion, etc.) have influenced your life.
4. You MUST utilize class readings as references. You MUST have a minimum of 6 citations in this paper. When I mean 6 citations, I mean 6 DIFFERENT citations, drawing from at least 4 different class readings. The additional 2 may be from outside sources, however, MUST be academic/scholarly sources. Of course, you can add more than 6 and you can draw from the same reading more than once, but I must see at least 6 different sources cited.
5. Some guiding questions to think about: How do the readings discuss, relate, or depart from my own lived experiences? Which social issues have had the most impact in terms of shaping my life or particular aspects of my life? In what ways that you have experienced privilege and/or oppression? (Think about which readings/concept/topics have helped you understand your own lived experience.)
6. You can also enhance your paper by bringing in examples from lecture, class discussions, films and media texts we have discussed (but these do not count as part of the 8 citations)
7. Feel free to incorporate pictures, letters, and documents to supplement your testimonial, BUT don’t use these documents to fill up the minimum 6 pages you have to turn in.
8. Do not go over 6 pages of writing!
9. Do cite! I will accept APA or ASA. DO include a reference page (points will be taken off if you do not cite and include a reference page).
10. Each paper should be typewritten; Use 1-inch margins, double-spacing, and 12-point font. DO NOT double-space your name and class information. DO NOT start your paper half-way down the page. If you use footers and headers, use 0.5-inch margins.
Turn in your testimonial on the due date by uploading to CANVAS. No late papers will be accepted! I will NOT accept emailed copies!
In order to receive a passing grade in the course, this testimonial must be submitted by the deadline.
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Social Topics
Themes/Concepts
• Intersectionality
• Race and Ethnicity
• Immigration
• Class
• Gender
• Sexuality
• Media
• Criminal Justice
• Structure and Agency
o Social Structure
o Social institutions
o Agency
• Hegemonic masculinity
• Patriarchy
• Racism
• Racial formation
• Colorblind privilege
• White privilege
• Racist nativism
• Criminalization of immigrants
• Segregation
• Internalized oppression
• Assimilation
• Toxic inequality
• Gendered and racialized capitalism
• Workplace discrimination
• Racialized femininities
• Transgender or non-binary issues
• Learning masculinity
• Controlling images
DEVELOPING YOUR OUTLINE
Introduction:
• TOPIC STATEMENT(S) Engage topic statement(s) that entertains a sociological imagination in relationship to studying education
• THESIS STATEMENT Thesis Statement: should be a statement, on what you intend to prove in your paper. Thesis includes a mention of the main points to come. Should include the sociological framework you are using to approach your testimonial (e.g. Through an intersectional lens, I argue that as a first-generation American woman, I have experienced various levels of both oppression and privilege regarding my racial and gender identities that have deeply shaped my hopes and dreams.
• ROADMAP/Conclusion of introduction: include a roadmap of your paper. Which concepts are you using? (e.g. In this testimonial, I will first discuss how my gender has shaped my life and influenced my pathway towards a four-year university after high school. I will then discuss how…. I will finally discuss how….
Body
Things to think about:
• Are you going to organize your paper chronologically? Thematically by concepts?
• Which main social issues/themes/concepts you will discuss?
• Which readings will you be using/citing as evidence?
• How will you transition new themes and concepts and make sure that everything is flowing and matching up to your argument?
Main Social Topic/Issue #1
Define related themes/concepts (cite your reference):
Paraphrase or Direct quote:
How does this theme/concept build on your thesis?
Main Social Topic/Issue #2
Define related themes/concepts (cite your reference):
Paraphrase or Direct quote:
How does this theme/concept build on your thesis?
Main Social Topic/Issue #3
Define related themes/concepts (cite your reference):
Paraphrase or Direct quote:
How does this theme/concept build on your thesis?
References
(start listing your references from the course readings that you are using in APA or ASA format)
Sociology 356: Social Inequalities
Final Paper: My Life Through a Sociological Lens (Analytical Testimonial)
Sociological imagination is “the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and the wider society.” -C. Wright Mills
There are three primary characteristics of the sociological imagination: history, biography and social structure. By using our sociological imagination, we can position ourselves in reality and have an enhanced understanding of ourselves and others through a grasp of the links between personal experiences versus historical, structural, and social forces. In this paper, you will undertake a critical contemplation on the factors that seem to have influenced your life choices and chances. You will use the sociological imagination as the tool to examine your own life and provide a testimonial analytical discussion of 2-3 social issues/topics/concepts that have impacted your own lived experience. This will involve a critical analysis since you attempting to link personal experience to broader social issues.
This 5-6 page testimonial paper consists of information gleaned from your own personal life and class material. The objective is to document the story of your own lived experience through a sociological lens. The paper can be, but does not have to be, in chronological covering major life stages. Or you can also organize your paper by themes and concepts.
A successful testimonial should demonstrate a mastery of the course’s themes and concepts, supported with readings and other course materials. Please make sure your testimonial covers the following list of requirements:
1. You must utilize and engage an intersectionality lens to analyze your experiences. Make sure to define intersectionality and utilize the framework as an analytical tool.
2. Bring in 2-3 topics/themes/concepts that will enable you to discuss the events that have influenced your life trajectory. Every time you first introduce a theme/concept from lecture or readings, please make sure to define the term and cite the author/class lecture appropriately.
3. A strong paper will weave into the discussion how institutions (i.e. legal systems, economic structures, family, religion, etc.) have influenced your life.
4. You MUST utilize class readings as references. You MUST have a minimum of 6 citations in this paper. When I mean 6 citations, I mean 6 DIFFERENT citations, drawing from at least 4 different class readings. The additional 2 may be from outside sources, however, MUST be academic/scholarly sources. Of course, you can add more than 6 and you can draw from the same reading more than once, but I must see at least 6 different sources cited.
5. Some guiding questions to think about: How do the readings discuss, relate, or depart from my own lived experiences? Which social issues have had the most impact in terms of shaping my life or particular aspects of my life? In what ways that you have experienced privilege and/or oppression? (Think about which readings/concept/topics have helped you understand your own lived experience.)
6. You can also enhance your paper by bringing in examples from lecture, class discussions, films and media texts we have discussed (but these do not count as part of the 8 citations)
7. Feel free to incorporate pictures, letters, and documents to supplement your testimonial, BUT don’t use these documents to fill up the minimum 6 pages you have to turn in.
8. Do not go over 6 pages of writing!
9. Do cite! I will accept APA or ASA. DO include a reference page (points will be taken off if you do not cite and include a reference page).
10. Each paper should be typewritten; Use 1-inch margins, double-spacing, and 12-point font. DO NOT double-space your name and class information. DO NOT start your paper half-way down the page. If you use footers and headers, use 0.5-inch margins.
Turn in your testimonial on the due date by uploading to CANVAS. No late papers will be accepted! I will NOT accept emailed copies!
In order to receive a passing grade in the course, this testimonial must be submitted by the deadline.
2
