Final Paper and Proposal Instructions
For your final paper, you will use course material to make sociological sense of a real-world topic. This will require you to first select a topic, propose your idea, receive feedback, and use that feedback to develop an essay-length paper.
Stage 1: Proposal
Due Date: Sunday, April 21
Length: 1-2 pages, double-spaced, 1″ margins, 12-point font
Content:
Introduction: Briefly introduce the selected topic and its relevance to social interaction.
Thesis Statement: Present a clear, debatable argument that will be explored in the essay. This should reflect an analysis rooted in course concepts and readings. We know this is a working draft. But, do your best to construct a strong thesis early on so we can give feedback and guide you in the direction of a strong paper.
Objectives: Outline the goals of your analysis and what you aim to argue through the lens of course material.
Key Concepts: Identify at least two key course concepts that will be applied and briefly define them in your own words (citations required).
Sources: List at least three course readings you plan to incorporate, and mention any preliminary outside scholarly sources you might use.
Approach: Describe how you plan to apply the course concepts to your topic and the type of evidence you will use for your analysis. You may tie this in with your objectives section (above).
Feedback Stage
After submission, receive feedback on the proposal’s clarity, feasibility, and alignment with course objectives.
Use feedback to refine the topic and approach for the final essay.
THE STAGE ABOVE IS ALREADY DONE I WILL ADD THIS FILE BELOW. PLEASE REVIEW THE
FILE FOR STAGE 1 BEFORE MOVING TO STAGE 2. There are also comments on the
file for stage 1. consider the comments and make the appropiate change for
stage 2.
What you will be writing about :
Stage 2: Final Essay
Due Date: May 24, 2024 by 11:59pm
Length: 1500-1700 words, double-spaced, 1″ margins, 12-point font
Content:
Introduction: Expand on your proposal’s introduction, clearly stating the thesis and its importance.
Literature Review (Optional): Briefly review the key readings and concepts that underpin your analysis. If you choose to omit this section, be sure to discuss the key readings and ideas in your body paragraphs.
Analysis: Use the body paragraphs to apply the selected course concepts to your topic. Analyze specific examples and evidence to support your thesis.
Avoid direct quotes when possible; paraphrase to demonstrate understanding.
Include specific evidence from course readings, lectures, and up to two outside scholarly sources.
BE SPECIFIC. General and vague analyses should be avoided at all costs.
Discussion: Interpret the implications of your analysis. Consider how your findings contribute to understanding social interaction in your chosen context. Again, be specific.
Conclusion: Summarize the key points of your essay and the significance of your findings. Restate how your analysis supports your thesis.
Formatting:
Cite all sources in APA or ASA format, including a works cited page and in-text citations.
Ensure the essay is well-organized, with a clear flow from introduction to conclusion.
Evaluation Criteria:
Depth of Analysis: Demonstrates thorough understanding and application of course concepts to the chosen topic.
Engagement with Course Material: Integrates and critically engages with course readings and lectures.
Clarity of Argument: Presents a coherent, debatable thesis supported by evidence.
Writing Quality: Clear, concise, and grammatically correct writing.
Citation and Formatting: Adheres to the chosen citation style and essay formatting requirements.
Possible Topics: (NOTE: these are broad–select something more specific under one of these umbrellas)
Construction of self in the digital age: e.g., social media identity, virtual reality personas.
Rituals of social interaction: e.g., greetings, farewells, online forums.
Meaning making through online content: e.g., memes, viral videos.
The symbolic meaning of objects in society: e.g., status symbols, cultural significance.
Stigma and identity: e.g., online shaming, privacy concerns.
Identity performativity: e.g., gender expression on social media, racial identity in digital spaces.
Ethnography of public spaces: e.g., social norms in coffee shops, behavior in parks.
Truth, reality-making, and conspiracy theories: e.g., fake news, online echo chambers.
Other: If you’d like to write about something not listed, please discuss with me prior to proposal deadline.
NO AI. MUST BE HUMAN WRITTEN. NO PLAIGRASIM. MUST BE 0% MATCH FROM TURNITIN.
NO DIRECT QUOTES. only paraphrasing. I have had issues with WITH AI and my proffesors.
so please dont think you can make it work. MY PROFFESOR IS CRAZY.
Human Written Only. Thank you.
Here are the following 4 Sources.
1) Bourdieu, chapter 3, Structures, Habitus, Practices
2) Goffman, Erving Chapter 8, Introduction to The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life
3) Mead, George H. Mind, Self, and Society
4) Blumer – Symbolic Interactionism.pdf
When Neccesary BE sure to mention the concept of looking glass self by
Charles Horton Cooley.
