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Sociology 169: Paper #1

Due: Tuesday, 10/23 (Week 4, at the beginning of lecture)

Length: 4.5-5 pages, typed, double-spaced 12 point font

Note: Teaching Assistants will not accept late papers unless you discuss it with the professor ahead of time (or as soon as possible) and have an approved, legitimate excuse.

Answer one of the following questions:

1. Explain Talcott Parsons’ main arguments his essay, “Sex Roles in the American Kinship System” and how they relate to key ideas within structural functionalism (as described by Jonathan Turner). Explain how Parson’s arguments are related to the main assumptions of structural functionalism (as described by Jonathan Turner) and differ from the assumptions of conflict theories. Critically evaluate Parsons’ (1943) analysis of American sex roles and the extent to which they do or do not explain gender roles today and how they have changed over time. What are the main strengths and/or weaknesses of Parsons’ approach to this topic? Provide evidence or examples to support your argument.

2. Both Immanuel Wallerstein and C.W. Mills provide theories about the forces that shape foreign policy and militarism. Compare Wallerstein’s world systems theory and Mills’ power-elite theory and explain how their arguments regarding this topic are related to the main assumptions of conflict theories and differ from the assumptions of functionalist theories. To what extent are Wallerstein’s and Mill’s theoretical perspectives useful for understanding U.S. militarism and foreign policy today? What are the main strengths and/or weaknesses of their theoretical approaches to this topic? Provide evidence or examples to support your argument.

3. Explain the main assumptions of C.W. Mills’ power-elite theory and what it suggests about which social group(s) hold political power in the U.S.. Explain how Mills’ power-elite theory relates to the main assumptions of conflict theories and differs from the assumptions of functionalist theories. To what extent are Mill’s arguments still relevant today? What are the main strengths and/or weaknesses of Mills’ theoretical approach to this topic? Provide evidence or examples to support your argument.

4. How are local and national cultures shaped by relations of domination, resistance, and globalization? Compare and evaluate the theoretical arguments on this topic from two of the following three theorists: Franz Fanon, Stuart Hall, Uma Narayan. Explain how each author’s theoretical perspective builds on the main assumptions of particular types of conflict theories and differs from the main assumptions of functionalist theories. To what extent are each author’s arguments still relevant today? What are the main strengths and/or weaknesses of each author’s theoretical perspective? Provide evidence or examples to support your argument.

When you turn in your paper, be sure to number your pages and include the following information on a separate cover sheet: (1) your name; (2) the question number that you are answering; (3) your paper title; (4) your TA’s name; (5) your section number; (6) the current date.

Hints and directions:

1. All papers should have an overall argument that is clearly stated in both the introduction and conclusion of the paper and which you develop in the body of your paper. If you can’t answer: “What’s the point of the paper?” in one or two sentences, you still have work to do. In this case, the main point of your paper is your critical evaluation of the authors’ theoretical arguments. Although you need to layout each author’s argument and discuss it, this discussion should relate to and provide the foundation for your evaluation of the author. You should not just evaluate the authors in one paragraph or in the conclusion. You must provide reasons for your evaluation of the author and cite evidence; don’t just state your opinion of the author.

2. You should cite all the material you use: Note that you should only cite lecture when it introduced an idea that is NOT discussed in the readings. You want to cite the readings as much as possible.

How to cite a passage that you summarize:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (Author’s last name Year of Publication: page numbers).

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (Blumer 1969: 72-76).

How to use a short quote from the reading:

“XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX” (Blumer 1969: 77).

How to use a long quote (three lines or more):

Indent and single-space the quote; quote marks are not necessary:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (Blumer 1969: 77)

Note: After you use a quote, you need to explain what it means.

3. Provide a bibliography for your paper if you use outside readings . You do NOT need to provide a bibliography if you only use readings assigned to this course.

Recommendation: I strongly recommend writing at least two drafts of this paper. You should “pump out” your first draft, getting a lot of ideas down on paper. Don’t worry about getting it right the first time (no one does). Pick out your best ideas and organize them well in your second draft. It is often very helpful to write an outline of your paper before writing your first or second draft so that your paper is organized and flows well.

Bibliography (only required if you refer to outside readings; use ASA style guide):

Note: List your sources in alphabetical order by author’s name (not by type of source).

Format for citing references in the text of your paper:

Be sure to cite the readings you are referring to using the format below in the text of your paper. You should cite the reading when you summarize it OR when you quote directly from the reading. Since this is a short paper, you should avoid long quotes. If you use a quote, be sure to explain what it means in your own words or how it relates to your main arguments.

Citation Format Example: XXXXXXXXXXXX (Dohan 2003: 20-24). Xxxxx (Last year of pub: pages)

Instructions for Bibliography: You need to provide a bibliography only if you refer to outside sources (not listed on the Soc 169 syllabus). Please format your references according to the American Sociological Association’s style guidelines. Be sure to list your sources in alphabetical order by author’s name (not by type of source). For info on ASA style, see: http://www.asanet.org/documents/teaching/pdfs/Quick_Tips_for_ASA_Style.pdf

http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/files/asa.pdf

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/583/03/