Soc 1: Paper Topics



Intro to Sociology: Paper Topics

Your paper is due PRINTED and STAPLED on the due date. Refer to the syllabus for due dates. You may pick ONE of the 2 following topics to write your paper:

Paper Option 1: Breaking Norms Outside of class, conduct an experiment where you break a norm and analyze people's reactions. For example, wear something typically associated with the opposite gender or eat something unusual (or unusually). Your norm violation may not break any rules or laws, or potentially cause harm to you or another person. You may have to conduct your act of deviance several times or for an extended period of time to get enough material for the assignment. Your paper will have 5 parts: 1) An introduction discussing the importance of norms, their place in society, and how they relate to concepts discussed in lecture including culture, culture shock, values, morals, taboo, folkways, mores, etc. 2) Description- what norm did you break? How did you do it? When did you do it? Where? Who was around? 3) Reactions to your act of deviance 4) Analysis – Why did they behave the way that they did? How did their reactions make you feel? 5) Conclusion - tie the results of this experiment to what you learned about norms and sanctions. Were the results as you expected? Why or why not? Why do people conform to norms? For this topic, you must have a minimum of 3 academic sources, which you should list on a works cited page (not included in the page limit). (Check YouTube for ideas!)

Paper Option 2: Communication For this paper, you must attempt to communicate with others in a public or social setting without using written or oral language. In your experiment, you will not be able to talk or write for at least 30 minutes, but you need to impart a message to someone else. This paper will have 5 parts: 1) Introduction- what are ways in which people communicate? What is the importance of language? How is language used in society? How does language relate to the other concepts discussed in lecture, including gestures, symbols, etc.? 2) Description- Where did you conduct your experiment? Who was around? What did you do? Without language, how else are you able to get your point across? 3) Reactions- How did others react? How did you feel? 4) Analysis- What did you learn from this experience? What do the experiences of Genie, Victor, and other isolated children teach us about the importance of communication? What is the role of language in culture? Tie 3 theories into your conclusion: What would the symbolic interactionism, conflict, and functionalist theories say about your experience? You must have a minimum of 3 academic sources, which you should list on a works cited page (not included in the page limit).

Each paper must be:

o Typed

o In 12 pt., Times New Roman font

o With 1 inch margins

o On white paper, in black ink

o 5-7 FULL pages, not a sentence more or less

o Double-spaced evenly throughout

o Have good readability, flow, and coherence

o Contain proper grammar and use of in-text citations

o Provide evidence with strong supporting detail

o Be appropriate in the quality and tone of the paper

o Use appropriate academic sources

o Present a clear and effective introduction, analysis, and conclusion

Papers will not be accepted late!!!

The following website may be useful in helping you format your Works Cited page and in-text citations:

You may use whichever citation style you are most comfortable with (MLA, APA, ASA, Chicago), but you MUST pick one style and use it consistently throughout your paper. Please do not include title pages. Regardless of which style you choose, your heading must be single-spaced, and include only your name and the date, written at the top of the first page of your essay. Please also give your paper a title. All words written must be your own! Quotes are encouraged, but must be properly cited with the author and page number or year. Avoid long quotations. For your sources, make sure that all websites are appropriate academic sources (.org, .gov, or .edu). The use of Wikipedia is prohibited.

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