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. Click here to learn more about APA formatting and style guide.