Writing Stories: American Dream
The “American Dream” rests on these beliefs:
• That everyone can participate equally and can always start over.
• That it is reasonable to expect success.
• That success is the result of individual traits and actions that are under one’s control.
• That success is due to virtue and ability.
Tell a story about someone you know who does or does not demonstrate two or more components of the American Dream.
1. Share your story: (one paragraph) = 5 Points
Describe the person, his or her life circumstances, and beliefs about success, effort, work and money.
Share about something that happened to this person that led to an economic or job success or failure. The event you write about should help to explain what this person is like—what his or her outlook on life is like in terms of the beliefs mentioned above. Some things you could focus on are: family fortunes, falling on bad times, good or bad luck, staying in school or dropping out, the Great Depression. Feel free to use all, some or none of these ideas. How does this person either fit into or defy the American Dream as described above?
2. Connect your story to sociology: (two-three paragraphs) = 10 Points
Connect the story to the sociological concepts of social stratification. Describe the social classes in the United State and explain where this person would fit on the social class ladder.
Explain how social class helped or hindered their social mobility.
Connect this story to either Structural Functionalism or Conflict Perspective by defining the theory and providing examples from the story that align with that perspective.
3. Cite your sources: = 2 Points
Proper citing of the class textbook: Conerly, T. R., Holmes, K., & Lal Tamang, A. (2021). Introduction to Sociology 3e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/1-introduction
For any other sources used, this website will be helpful: https://www.citefast.com/?s=MLA#_Webpage
4. Reply to a classmate: = 3 Points
Pick a sociological concept from the chapter that your classmate did not discuss, and apply that concept to your classmate’s story.
Use your textbook or other source to support your ideas.
Proper citing of the class textbook: Conerly, T. R., Holmes, K., & Lal Tamang, A. (2021). Introduction to Sociology 3e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/1-introduction
For any other sources used, this website will be helpful: https://www.citefast.com/?s=MLA#_Webpage
