06 Feb How did class position, status distinctions, or power relations shape people’s options or influence?
For this assignment, in 2-3 double-spaced pages, you will identify a situation, relationship, or social dynamic you’ve observed where inequality shaped what happened, who had options, or whose voice mattered. This could be something from your workplace, family, school, community, or any other relevant context.
Your task is to use the concepts and frameworks we’ve studied so far to describe, analyze, and reflect what you observed. You should reference specific ideas about class, status, power, and how inequality operates from course readings or lectures.
Questions to consider in your analysis include (address 1-2):
How did class position, status distinctions, or power relations shape people’s options or influence?
What specific mechanisms kept this inequality in place? (think about things like cultural capital, status characteristics, etc.)
Did different types of inequality overlap or reinforce each other?
Who had advantages in this situation, and why? Who faced barriers?
When reflecting on the experience of analyzing this situation, consider at least one of the following:
What does analyzing this situation sociologically help you see that you might have missed otherwise?
How does applying these frameworks change or deepen your understanding of what happened?
Rubric
Description (20 points)
Provides clear, sufficient context for the reader to understand the situation.
Identifies relevant dynamics, relationships, and outcomes.
Analysis (50 points):
Applies course concepts accurately and appropriately to explain the observed inequality.
Shows evidence of critical thinking about mechanisms, reinforcing factors, advantages/barriers.
Reflection (20 points):
Articulates what sociological analysis reveals that wasn’t visible before.
Demonstrates thoughtful engagement with how frameworks change or deepen understanding.
Writing (10 points):
You should include at least three relevant citations from the readings or lecture (MLA, APA, or Chicago format is fine).
Clear and organized prose.
Meets page length requirements.
