Project for Sociology
We have defined sociology, traced its origins, and distinguished it from other social sciences. We have examined the elements of culture and social norms. We have observed how these elements are constructed, encouraged, and discouraged through sanctions and the process of socialization. According to C.Wright Mills, as sociologists we are encouraged to find the intersections between our personal biography and the bigger picture of history. The goal of this project is for you to construct a sociological biography of your life that includes the concepts that we have studied thus far and describes your life through the lens of sociology.
Requirements: You must complete 5 of the following to pass this assignment. You must complete at least 6 to get an A.
1) You must create a thorough sociological description of yourself in the third person. Example: “The subject is a thirty seven year old white male (notice that these are ascribed statuses) who holds a Master’s Degree and is employed as a teacher (Achieved Statuses), etc…” You must include as many statuses and descriptions as possible- be sure to consider all of the groups that you are a part of- You may use the chapter on groups and formal organizations as a reference.
2) You must describe the process of socialization that you experienced and apply at least one theory from the chapter on socialization. You must explain the most influential agents of socialization and describe which of your behaviors were most influenced. This is to be done from the perspective of an outside researcher.
3) You must use ONE of the theoretical perspectives (Conflict, Functionalism, Symbolic Interaction) to tell the story of your life in summary form. This is also to be done in the third person.
4) You must give a an account of your typical day, as though you are following yourself around, and describe all of the folkways, mores, and laws that you engage in and try to connect each one to the values and beliefs that produce the behaviors.
5) You must research the major world events that were happening the year before you were born and give a brief summary of the major national and world events that have happened since you have been alive.
6) You must select one famous sociologist and connect one of their ideas to your life experience.
7) You must make a collage of your Material and Non-material culture from pictures on the internet or magazine cut-outs.
Your completed work will be due 03/14/2016