Assignments

 

Link to the "beauty myth" article

Paper Assignment:

Select one of the following topics and prepare a three and a half to four page paper (typed, double-spaced). The topics do not require library research, or reading, beyond that required for this course. The paper is not designed to include quotations from the work of other people. Rather, it is an application of the knowledge you are gaining from studying about sociological theories, research methods, culture, society, and the process of socialization. Given below are some suggested topics. Should you wish to choose a topic off the list, please contact me and discuss your idea with me before beginning your paper.

1. Keeping the tenets of ethnomethodological theory in mind, break a well-known norm of society. Observe people's reactions and record them. Explain how breaking the norm exposes what people's expectations are.

2. Impass of the mass media during the process of socialization is a salient factor in the formation of human personalities. Observe at least ten advertisements. Do a content analysis of their message for male and female gender roles and images.

3. Many people are concerned that the US is losing its sense of community and common values. One aspect of culture that can unite people is the celebration of common holidays. You have just been appointed Secretary of National Holidays. Create two or three national holidays that will allow for authentic expression of various aspects of being American, that will draw us together, invigorate the national culture and give us a positive and healthy sense of community. Write a paper naming your choices, assigning them dates, justifying your choices, explaining the nature of celebration, commemoration, or other activities that would accompany those holidays and indicating how the holiday would enhance community and pride for the nation.

4. Do a content analysis of the lyrics of three popular songs in which a message is expressed, perhaps an angry message, or a message critical of society, or groups in it. Examine the messages and images presented in the songs. Can you identify these lyrics with a culture of hate, a culture in which bigotry is presented as legitimate, and a culture that generates misogyny? Identify the audiences you believe listen to these songs. Discuss the extent to which you believe song lyrics reflect or affect the values of audience members.

5. Communication researchers suggest that television is fixated on appealing to young and wealthy American men who buy their sponsor's products. As a result, TV programming does not portray the elderly, minorities, women, and even men as they really are. Pick two prime-time TV dramatic shows and analyze an episode of each. Identify the race, ethnic identity, stage of life, occupation, and social class ( indicated by their jobs, homes, cars, etc.) of each major character. For an outsider to the American culture, who knows nothing about this country, except what they learn from these episodes, what would be their likely conclusion about American society and culture? How realistic will it be?

6. A lot of young people choose to present themselves in ways that the elderly find offensive. The latter generally do not care for pierced and tattooed punks, skaters, gangsters, retro-alter kids, or hippie stoners. Why? Is it the way they look and act, or is it something else? Interview an elderly person. Then interview someone from the above mentioned categories in order to discover their self-image and reasons for the chosen presentation of self. Describe the people interviewed, summarize their interviews, analyze your findings, and draw conclusions about what you have learned. Please maintain the confidentiality of your respondents.

7. Select five articles from newspapers about immigration issues. Summarize these articles. What major themes emerge about the sentiments of this country on this topic? Name some groups identified as target groups, who may increase the need for immigration reform.