Identify a sociologically relevant topic or problem of your choosing. For your final project, you must link that topic/problem to the wide range of tools of sociological thought you have learned this semester in a presentation (e.g., PowerPoint) or written review. Your project must substantially fulfill the following requirements:
Give a background of the topic or problem you have chosen and discuss why it would benefit from being understood through a sociological lens. What assumptions do people make about it that sociology can inform (or change)? What does sociology bring to the table that differs from people’s everyday social and cultural assumptions?
Discuss how two sociological theories can be applied. In doing so, you should make clear that you understand how the core perspectives of the theory can connect to and offer insight on the real-world example you have chosen. In other words, how would this theory interpret your topic?
It may be easiest to choose from the major theories , but recall that there are some other theories presented in your readings.
Discuss how two sociological concepts can be applied. In doing so, you should show how these concepts can be seen at work inside the topic/problem you’ve identified.
If you do a presentation, remember that you will not actually have the opportunity to present it to your instructor in person. This means that you cannot explain what’s on your slides. Therefore, you should not use them as rough, illustrative guides. While they do not have to read like a paper, they must contain all the content required for the project. A few brief sentences will not adequately meet each requirement; you will be evaluated on how thoroughly and how well you meet these requirements. Accordingly, use as many slides as it takes to fully present your work and your thought. If necessary, err on the side of “too much”!
