Assignment 1: What is Sociology?

By the due date, answer the assigned question if you have been assigned to answer the question this week. Respond to each prompt within the question. Your answer should be at least a page long and contain material gained through research. Submit your answer to the Discussion Area.

If you have not been assigned to provide an answer, start reviewing and responding to your classmates as early in the week as possible. Post two responses. Each response should be at least 200 words long and reference both the student answer you are responding to and material gained through research.

This discussion will be active throughout the week, so be sure to visit and post frequently. Be sure to be honest, clear, and concise. Always use constructive language, even in criticism, in your responses. Remember that grammar is important when writing your posts.

Please answer the following questions:

•What is Sociology? How does it differ from other social sciences?

•What are the main theories that underlie sociological analysis? Provide a brief description of each.

•What research methods are commonly used by sociologists?

•If you were conducting a sociological study, what research methods would you use? Why? What theoretical approach would you feel most comfortable using? Why?

Responses to peers are due by two days after assignment deadline.

Assignment 2: Essay Question

Sociology is an application-based social science. In other words, it is intended to be applied and to aid in your understanding of the social world around you.

By the due date, write a short essay (2 pages) on the topic below. Your essay should have an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Your essay will demonstrate an understanding of the course material plus material you find through research of other materials and its application to everyday life and/or its relationship to real-life situations.

Topic:

How would your life be different if you were someone else? This week's assignment allows you to explore this question by gathering data through fieldwork. Please spend an hour in a public place-a mall, a library, a bookstore, a church or synagogue, school, etc.-people watching.

Choose three people who are different from you in a key way-someone who differs in age, someone who differs in gender, and someone who differs in race-and write about what it would be like to be that person. Build your own thoughts on what it would be like to be a member of this group based on your observations (fieldwork) data as well as data gleaned from your research of written materials.

Describe and explain these differences using your sociological imagination and three of the four theories learned this week that are still relevant in the current society. Do not rely on stereotypes but on sound sociological research.

Submit your essay describing your application project and your fieldwork findings by the due date, to the Submission Area on the next page.