Students are required to discuss the three sociological paradigms and how these paradigms have helped to shape their social interactions, experiences with institutions, and knowledge of the social structure. Students will do this by drawing on key concepts, theories, and ideas from course material. All papers should be between 3-5 pages, double-spaced, font-size 12, with ASA in-text citations and a reference list. Students will be graded based on the following criteria:
Introduction: Students should provide a brief overview of the three sociological paradigms (functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and conflict theory), and explain the importance of understanding society through these categories. Please make sure to provide examples for each sociological paradigm being discussed. (15 points)
Body: This is the area of the paper in which you are using your personal lived experiences (from a males perspective) to help make sense of the sociological paradigms. Here are some questions to keep in mind:
Structural Functionalism: Explain how structural functionalism operates in society by providing examples from your personal experiences. How do the examples you’ve mentioned fit structural functionalism? Please provide information from any of the textbook readings to help support your argument(s).
Symbolic Interactionism: Explain how you interpret various aspects of society using the symbolic interactionism approach. Provide examples from your personal experiences to illustrate symbolic interactionism. Why do the examples you’ve discussed fit the symbolic interactionism paradigm? Please provide information from any of the textbook readings to help support your argument(s).
Conflict Theory: Explain how you understand conflict theory by providing examples from what you’ve personally witnessed in society. How do the examples you mentioned from your personal experience fit the conflict theory paradigm? Please provide information from any of the textbook readings to help support your argument(s). (60 points)
Conclusion: Conclude the paper by summarizing the main points you’ve made in the paper (e.g. the significance of understanding the three sociological paradigms and how they play a part in our everyday experiences and the makeup of society) and the paradigm you believe to be the most important and why. (15 points)
Grammar/Spelling and Organization: Students are expected to write at a college level. The paper should be clear, coherent, and include transitions from one main point to another. The paper should include correct grammar/spelling and ASA citation. (10 points)
