08 Aug Which sociological theory(ies) best explains this event?
Analyze a major event sociologically. Analyzing something sociologically is very different than reporting your opinion. In fact, please leave out any opinion and instead analyze the event using course concepts and theories. This is how to analyze something sociologically. Sociology is adept at explaining society today, as such, it is a good idea to not choose a historical event. Sociology sometimes does this (Max Weber was especially good at it) but generally we speaking we employ the tougher task of explaining the here and now. It is harder but more fruitful. Also, it avoids the troubling pitfall of assuming the issue is relegated to the past. Usually, it is not (e.g. racism, xenophobia, bigotry, anti-semitism and genocide didn’t end after the Holocaust occured. Unfortunately, they’re all still very much with us). The more challenging task is to explain the current manifestations of social problems to work towards current solutions.
When discussing the event or phenomenon be sure to provide the proper context and any relevant facts and figures. These should all be requires all verifiable facts. If you tell me about 3,000 people were killed on 9/11 be sure to include your source for that figure (for example). Nothing should be written that isn’t verifiable in some way using in-text citations to reputable sources. Be sure to include the following questions in your analysis (but do not be limited to just these items):
Why did this happen from a sociological perspective? This is a complicated question that requires a nuanced discussion of intersecting social forces. It is a macro question for sure!
What social context did it occur in? (for example rising hate crimes against Asian Americans in the wake of COVID-19 weren’t new; there’s a long history of this in The United States). This is where you detail the history leading up to this event/phenomenon. That is, using the sociological imagination, what are the intersections between the history and the biography?
How many are affected annually by the problem (if this applies)?
Use sociological vocabulary, course concepts and sociological theories like functionalism, conflict theory, intersectionality and symbolic interactionism. Thoroughly explain your ideas.
Which sociological theory(ies) best explains this event? Does it take multiple theories?
