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Introduction to Sociology Analytic Essay Assignment Dr. Parker

Spring 2014

Purpose: to practice the application of the basic concepts of the course to a specific social change organization.

Choice: You can choose from a variety of local social change organization to demonstrate your ability to apply the concepts of the course to the analysis of a particular situation or problem. It has to be an organization where you can:

· Interview someone from the organization about the work that they do.

· Observe some aspect of the work as it is going on.

Note: The question that is motivating this assignment is – what are the possibilities and limitations of groups who are organizing in an attempt to change the existing arrangements of the social world in some way? Therefore, a for-profit organization that is trying to make money as its primary goal is not a good choice for this assignment. Also, an organization that is primarily a social service agency (such as a foster care agency or a daycare provider) is not really seeking to change society, but to make it a little easier for people to live within the current set of social arrangements. Some service agencies such as Planned Parenthood or Good Shepard have both a social change and a social service component so for the purpose of this essay you can choose them as long as you focus on their social change component.

Some examples include:

Southern Brooklyn Community Organization	The NAACP
Center to Prevent Youth Violence	The Black Youth Project
The Urban Justice Center	The Blue Ridge Foundation
Friends of Victoria Village Diaspora Inc.	Games for Change
Malcolm X Grassroots Movement	Astrea Foundation

Process:

All researchers use various forms of writing in the process of turning their data into a finished piece of writing. In preparation for the research paper assignment where you will explain one or more aspects of a culture or subculture you will be asked to complete the following writing exercises on the schedule laid out in the syllabus. Each of these pieces of writing should be kept in a section of your textbook labeled “research paper” which I will check periodically throughout the semester. You will also share these writing pieces with your small group as your work on this project unfolds.

1. Free Write exercises: For example: What I find interesting about this organization is ….. and that seems related to …..

2. System Memos: Descriptions of the Mental Models, Social Relations and Material Conditions of this culture are …… and how they are related to each other in the following ways ……

3. Thesis Statement: Answer the following question in one sentence. The …… practice of the ……. is (influenced, shaped by, the result of) ………… Use at least two of the concepts of Mental Models, Social Relations or Material Conditions in your answer.

4. Abstract/Elevator Speech: Write a single paragraph that you can read in the time that it takes you to go up 10 floors in an elevator that explains the essence of your essay to an interested stranger who happens to ask you about the research that you are doing.

5. Journal: Throughout the process you will be asked to reflect on the process and experience of doing your research – what is confusing or awkward? How has your understanding of the subject changed or evolved? How has your research changed your understanding of others things, both in the world and in yourself?

Structure:

Your essay will have three sections:

a. A description of the problem that your organization is seeking to address or solve from the perspective of the organization. You will describe the mental model, social relations and material conditions of the organization and of their diagnosis of the problem.

b. An analysis of the problem from your sociological perspective. You are going to analysis the mental models, social relations and material conditions of problem or issue that your group is addressing using data and resources that you collect from sources outside of your organization.

c. A conclusion that assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the organization that you have studied. Is its strategy likely to produce the changes that they are seeking? Are there some other changes on other levels that need to happen for them to be successful? What are their prospects for the future?

Grading:

Your first draft and final version that you submit to me through TurnitIn.com will be graded on a 20 point scale with 5 possible points earned in each of the following four areas.

1. Thesis 2. Argument

3. Data 4. Conclusion

The specific rubric is:

	5	4	3	2	1
Thesis	Clear statement describing what is to be explained using the key concepts.	Statement of what is to be explained but absent reference to concepts.	Statement, but unclear what is to be explained.	Description of a topic, but no statement.	Unclear what is to be explained.
Argument	Uses the concepts from the course to explain the thesis in a systematic fashion.	Uses the concepts, but leaves gaps in the causal connections within the argument.	Uses the concepts from the course, but only as descriptions without specifying the causal connections.	Uses some of the relevant concepts but not all and does not present the argument in a coherent fashion.	Merely describes the culture or the problem, but without the concepts or explanation.
Data	Provides relevant and concrete examples that support each argument.	Provides relevant data, but not for all arguments made.	Provides generic assertions without clear supporting data.	Data offered not always relevant to the argument offered.	No concrete data provided
Conclusion	Identifies similarities with other cultures or situations and/or identifies future prospects.	Draws some conclusions, but they are not directly connected to the earlier argument.	Presents some judgment or opinions, but not directly connected to concepts or the argument.	Presents one or more opinions not directly connected to the previous argument.	Simply restates one or more sentences from the introduction.

Submission:

You must submit your paper in electronic format through the TurnitIN.com website. The course ID is Sociology42 and the course password is 778357. There are more details about how to register and use TurnitIn in the course syllabus.

Timeline for assignments:

3/21: Choice of Organization

4/4: Memo #1: Purpose, strategies and goals of your organization.

4/25 Interview Summary

4/25 Observation Summary

5/2 Memo #2: Problem definition – the larger context. The mental models, social relations and

material conditions of the context that your organization is operating in.

5/16: First Draft:

6/6 Final Version: