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  • SUNY Adirondack Library

SOC101: Principles of Sociology

  • Current Events Assignment

Step 1: Choose a Current Event Article

Browse through these news sites to choose an article: 

  • NPR (National Public Radio)
  • New York Times
  • Washington Post
  • Wall Street Journal
  • Reuters News Service
  • The Week Magazine

For More Help on Conducting Research

  • Do a search then limit to e-books, articles (limit to scholarly if wanted), or videos. 
  • Click  Advanced Search  to overlap another subject. 
  • To borrow a print book, contact a librarian ([email protected]) to arrange to pick it up. 
  • Depending on your subject and research needs, you can also search individual databases below.   
  • How Do I... Offers video tutorials for various library databases.
  • Starting Your Research
  • Ask a Librarian! Reference librarians are available to help you with your research, by chat, email, text or Zoom.

Step 2: Choose a Journal Article

A. Search for the accepted sociology journals listed to the right below. 

  • "Annual Review of Sociology" OR "American Sociological Review" OR "American Journal of Sociology" OR "Sociological Methodology" OR "Sociological Theory" OR "Sociology of Education" OR "Social Networks" OR "Gender & Society" OR "Journal of Marriage and Family" OR "Population and Development Review" OR "Social Forces" OR "European Sociological Review"
  • Add a subject on the second line.
  • Limit to the last 10 years.  
  • Click the Search Criteria to add a second or third subject.
  • This search is limited to last 10 years (2012-2023). 
  • Library databases search for sociology journal titles

B. To find more, click the JSTOR link below and follow these tips:

  • Click  Advanced Search .
  • Enter a subject.
  • Choose these limits:   - Click  Articles   -  Limit the search to the   last 10 years -  Under Return results for , click Sociology (145 titles) then   Search. 
  • Make sure to choose top sociology journals! See the list to the right. 

C. For more, search these databases: 

  • Gale Academic OneFile
  • ProQuest Central
  • ScienceDirect
  • Google Scholar Go to Settings > Library Links > add SUNY Adirondack to the search. Use Advanced Search. more... less... Indexes selected scholarly journals; open access as well as articles in SUNY Adirondack subscription databases. Search with non-technical keywords, but it's harder to narrow the search to the most relevant articles.

Step 3: Create a Slide Show

For assistance in making a Prezi, PowerPoint or Google Slides show, contact Educational Technology staff: visit the Help Desk, call  (518) 743-2226 or email [email protected]

  • SUNY Adirondack Technology

Recommended Sociology Journals

Look for articles from these journals when you search the databases: 

  • Annual Review of Sociology
  • American Sociological Review
  • American Journal of Sociology 
  • Sociological Methodology
  • Sociological Theory  
  • Sociology of Education  
  • Social Networks  
  • Gender & Society 
  • Journal of Marriage and Family 
  • Population and Development Review 
  • Social Forces  
  • European Sociological Review 
  • Last Updated: Oct 4, 2022 10:37 AM
  • URL: https://library.sunyacc.edu/soc101

Accessibility Statement

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For Fredric Jameson, Marxist Criticism Was a Labor of Love

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Should a ‘Diverse’ Campus Mean More Conservatives?

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The Secret to Tom Wolfe’s Irresistible Snap, Crackle and Pop

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When Elder Care Is All in the Stepfamily

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James C. Scott, Iconoclastic Social Scientist, Dies at 87

In influential books, he questioned top-down government programs and extolled the power of the powerless, embracing a form of anarchism.

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Amigos, pero no tanto: cómo lidiar con las amistades de segundo nivel

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The Vexing Problem of the ‘Medium Friend’

They’re not our besties, but they’re more than just acquaintances. How much of ourselves do we owe them?

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Harrison White, Groundbreaking (and Inscrutable) Sociologist, Dies at 94

A theoretical physicist-turned-sociologist, he upended his field by focusing on social networks to explain how society works. His writing was compared to James Joyce’s.

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The Loneliness Curve

New research suggests people tend to be lonelier in young adulthood and late life. But experts say it doesn’t have to be that way.

By Christina Caron

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Beth Linker Is Turning Good Posture on Its Head

A historian and sociologist of science re-examines the “posture panic” of the last century. You’ll want to sit down for this.

By Matt Richtel

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Articles on Sociology

Displaying 1 - 20 of 131 articles.

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Frank Furedi claims there is an ideological ‘war against the past’, but it’s not that simple

Russell Blackford , University of Newcastle

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The genius of Banksy’s London animal murals

Nicholas Jenkins , University of the West of Scotland

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Paris in spring, Bali in winter. How ‘bucket lists’ help cancer patients handle life and death

Leah Williams Veazey , University of Sydney ; Alex Broom , University of Sydney , and Katherine Kenny , University of Sydney

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On its 125th anniversary, W.E.B. Du Bois’ ‘The Philadelphia Negro’ offers lasting lessons on gentrification in Philly’s historically Black neighborhoods

Zawadi Rucks-Ahidiana , University at Albany, State University of New York and Freeden Blume Oeur , Tufts University

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Have smartphones created an ‘anxious generation’? Jonathan Haidt sounds the alarm

Hugh Breakey , Griffith University

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W.E.B. Du Bois’ study ‘The Philadelphia Negro’ at 125 still explains roots of the urban Black experience – sociologist Elijah Anderson tells why it should be on more reading lists

Elijah Anderson , Yale University

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How people get sucked into misinformation rabbit holes – and how to get them out

Emily Booth , University of Technology Sydney and Marian-Andrei Rizoiu , University of Technology Sydney

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What’s sociology? A sociologist explains why Florida’s college students should get the chance to learn how social forces affect everyone’s lives

Joya Misra , UMass Amherst

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Church without God: How secular congregations fill a need for some nonreligious Americans

Jacqui Frost , Purdue University

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Why AI software ‘softening’ accents is problematic

Grégory Miras , Université de Lorraine

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In The Culture of Narcissism, Christopher Lasch excoriated his self-absorbed society – but the book’s legacy is questionable

Nick Haslam , The University of Melbourne

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Are rents rising in your Philly neighborhood? Don’t blame the baristas

Geoff Moss , Temple University

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Why ‘toxic masculinity’ isn’t a useful term for understanding all of the ways to be a man

Richard Gater , Cardiff University

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Book review: African thinkers analyse some of the big issues of our time - race, belonging and identity

Ademola Adesola , Mount Royal University

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Not religious, not voting? The ‘nones’ are a powerful force in politics – but not yet a coalition

Evan Stewart , UMass Boston

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Online gaming communities could provide a lifeline for isolated young men − new research

Tyler Prochnow , Texas A&M University

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Are we alone in the universe? 4 essential reads on potential contact with aliens

Mary Magnuson , The Conversation

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‘A weather-map of popular feeling’: how Mass-Observation was born

Ben Highmore , University of Sussex

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Religion shapes vaccine views – but how exactly? Our analysis looks at ideas about God and beliefs about the Bible

Christopher P. Scheitle , West Virginia University ; Bernard DiGregorio , West Virginia University , and Katie Corcoran , West Virginia University

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The fascinating Cameroonian art of spider divination is on display at London exhibition

David Zeitlyn , University of Oxford

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Applying Theory to Current Events

  • Gregory Trainor Kordsmeier + −
  • Cameron Macdonald + −

How to Cite

Download citation.

Download this resource to see full details. Download this resource to see full details.

Usage Notes

Learning goals and assessments.

Learning Goal(s):

  • Students will demonstrate basic knowledge of the theoretical ideas of two sociological theorists or schools of sociological theory.
  • Students will apply those concepts to a contemporary social issue or event.
  • Students will evaluate which theoretical argument is more convincing in explaining the social issue or event in question.

Goal Assessment(s):

  • Students will turn in a paper that is evaluated on all three of these learning goals.

When using resources from TRAILS, please include a clear and legible citation.

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Writing Papers That Apply Sociological Theories or Perspectives

This document is intended as an additional resource for undergraduate students taking sociology courses at UW. It is not intended to replace instructions from your professors and TAs. In all cases follow course-specific assignment instructions, and consult your TA or professor if you have questions.

About These Assignments

Theory application assignments are a common type of analytical writing assigned in sociology classes.  Many instructors expect you to apply sociological theories (sometimes called "perspectives" or "arguments") to empirical phenomena. [1]   There are different ways to do this, depending upon your objectives, and of course, the specifics of each assignment. You can choose cases that confirm (support), disconfirm (contradict), [2]  or partially confirm any theory.   

How to Apply Theory to Empirical Phenomena

Theory application assignments generally require you to look at empirical phenomena through the lens of theory.  Ask yourself, what would the theory predict ("have to say") about a particular situation. According to the theory, if particular conditions are present or you see a change in a particular variable, what outcome should you expect? 

Generally, a first step in a theory application assignment is to make certain you understand the theory! You should be able to state the theory (the author's main argument) in a sentence or two.  Usually, this means specifying the causal relationship (X—>Y) or the causal model (which might involve multiple variables and relationships). 

For those taking sociological theory classes, in particular, you need to be aware that theories are constituted by more than causal relationships.  Depending upon the assignment, you may be asked to specify the following:

  • Causal Mechanism: This is a detailed explanation about how X—>Y, often made at a lower level of analysis (i.e., using smaller units) than the causal relationship.
  • Level of Analysis: Macro-level theories refer to society- or group-level causes and processes; micro-level theories address individual-level causes and processes.
  • Scope Conditions: These are parameters or boundaries specified by the theorist that identify the types of empirical phenomena to which the theory applies.
  • Assumptions: Most theories begin by assuming certain "facts." These often concern the bases of human behavior: for example, people are inherently aggressive or inherently kind, people act out of self-interest or based upon values, etc.

Theories vary in terms of whether they specify assumptions, scope conditions and causal mechanisms.  Sometimes they can only be inferred: when this is the case, be clear about that in your paper.

Clearly understanding all the parts of a theory helps you ensure that you are applying the theory correctly to your case. For example, you can ask whether your case fits the theory's assumptions and scope conditions.  Most importantly, however, you should single out the main argument or point (usually the causal relationship and mechanism) of the theory.  Does the theorist's key argument apply to your case? Students often go astray here by latching onto an inconsequential or less important part of the theory reading, showing the relationship to their case, and then assuming they have fully applied the theory.

Using Evidence to Make Your Argument

Theory application papers involve making a claim or argument based on theory, supported by empirical evidence. [3]   There are a few common problems that students encounter while writing these types of assignments: unsubstantiated claims/generalizations; "voice" issues or lack of attribution; excessive summarization/insufficient analysis.  Each class of problem is addressed below, followed by some pointers for choosing "cases," or deciding upon the empirical phenomenon to which you will apply the theoretical perspective or argument (including where to find data).

A common problem seen in theory application assignments is failing to substantiate claims, or making a statement that is not backed up with evidence or details ("proof").  When you make a statement or a claim, ask yourself, "How do I know this?"  What evidence can you marshal to support your claim? Put this evidence in your paper (and remember to cite your sources).  Similarly, be careful about making overly strong or broad claims based on insufficient evidence.  For example, you probably don't want to make a claim about how Americans feel about having a black president based on a poll of UW undergraduates.  You may also want to be careful about making authoritative (conclusive) claims about broad social phenomena based on a single case study.

In addition to un- or under-substantiated claims, another problem that students often encounter when writing these types of papers is lack of clarity regarding "voice," or whose ideas they are presenting.  The reader is left wondering whether a given statement represents the view of the theorist, the student, or an author who wrote about the case.  Be careful to identify whose views and ideas you are presenting. For example, you could write, "Marx views class conflict as the engine of history;" or, "I argue that American politics can best be understood through the lens of class conflict;" [4]  or, "According to Ehrenreich, Walmart employees cannot afford to purchase Walmart goods."

Another common problem that students encounter is the trap of excessive summarization.  They spend the majority of their papers simply summarizing (regurgitating the details) of a case—much like a book report.  One way to avoid this is to remember that theory indicates which details (or variables) of a case are most relevant, and to focus your discussion on those aspects.  A second strategy is to make sure that you relate the details of the case in an analytical fashion. You might do this by stating an assumption of Marxist theory, such as "man's ideas come from his material conditions," and then summarizing evidence from your case on that point.  You could organize the details of the case into paragraphs and start each paragraph with an analytical sentence about how the theory relates to different aspects of the case. 

Some theory application papers require that you choose your own case (an empirical phenomenon, trend, situation, etc.), whereas others specify the case for you (e.g., ask you to apply conflict theory to explain some aspect of globalization described in an article). Many students find choosing their own case rather challenging.  Some questions to guide your choice are:

  • Can I obtain sufficient data with relative ease on my case?
  • Is my case specific enough?  If your subject matter is too broad or abstract, it becomes both difficult to gather data and challenging to apply the theory.
  • Is the case an interesting one? Professors often prefer that you avoid examples used by the theorist themselves, those used in lectures and sections, and those that are extremely obvious.

Where You Can Find Data

Data is collected by many organizations (e.g., commercial, governmental, nonprofit, academic) and can frequently be found in books, reports, articles, and online sources.  The UW libraries make your job easy: on the front page of the library website ( www.lib.washington.edu ), in the left hand corner you will see a list of options under the heading "Find It" that allows you to go directly to databases, specific online journals, newspapers, etc. For example, if you are choosing a historical case, you might want to access newspaper articles.  This has become increasingly easy to do, as many are now online through the UW library.  For example, you can search The New York Times and get full-text online for every single issue from 1851 through today!  If you are interested in interview or observational data, you might try to find books or articles that are case-studies on your topic of interest by conducting a simple keyword search of the UW library book holdings, or using an electronic database, such as JSTOR or Sociological Abstracts.  Scholarly articles are easy to search through, since they contain abstracts, or paragraphs that summarize the topic, relevant literature, data and methods, and major findings.  When using JSTOR, you may want to limit your search to sociology (which includes 70 journals) and perhaps political science; this database retrieves full-text articles. Sociological Abstracts will cast a wider net searching many more sociology journals, but the article may or may not be available online (find out by clicking "check for UW holdings").  A final word about using academic articles for data: remember that you need to cite your sources, and follow the instructions of your assignment.  This includes making your own argument about your case, not using an argument you find in a scholarly article.

In addition, there are many data sources online.  For example, you can get data from the US census, including for particular neighborhoods, from a number of cites. You can get some crime data online: the Seattle Police Department publishes several years' worth of crime rates.  There are numerous cites on public opinion, including gallup.com. There is an online encyclopedia on Washington state history, including that of individual Seattle neighborhoods ( www.historylink.org ). These are just a couple options: a simple google search will yield hundreds more.  Finally, remember that librarian reference desks are expert on data sources, and that you can call, email, or visit in person to ask about what data is available on your particular topic.  You can chat with a librarian 24 hours a day online, as well (see the "Ask Us!" link on the front page of UW libraries website for contact information).

[1] By empirical phenomena, we mean some sort of observed, real-world conditions. These include societal trends, events, or outcomes. They are sometimes referred to as "cases."   Return to Reading

[2] A cautionary note about critiquing theories: no social theory explains all cases, so avoid claiming that a single case "disproves" a theory, or that a single case "proves" a theory correct. Moreover, if you choose a case that disconfirms a theory, you should be careful that the case falls within the scope conditions (see above) of the given theory. For example, if a theorist specifies that her argument pertains to economic transactions, it would not be a fair critique to say the theory doesn't explain dynamics within a family. On the other hand, it is useful and interesting to apply theories to cases not foreseen by the original theorist (we see this in sociological theories that incorporate theories from evolutionary biology or economics).   Return to Reading

[3] By empirical evidence, we mean data on social phenomena, derived from scientific observation or experiment.  Empirical evidence may be quantitative (e.g., statistical data) or qualitative (e.g., descriptions derived from systematic observation or interviewing), or a mixture of both. Empirical evidence must be observable and derived from real-world conditions (present or historical) rather than hypothetical or "imagined".  For additional help, see the "Where You Can Find Data" section on the next page.   Return to Reading

[4] If your instructor does not want you to use the first-person, you could write, "This paper argues…"   Return to Reading

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Resources: Discussions and Assignments

Module 15 assignment: politics and sociology.

STEP 1 : Find a current news event article about politics, voting, or political leadership. Look specifically for an article that covers information related to concepts you learned about in this module, including power, authority, political systems, voting, or theoretical perspectives on government. You won’t want to search for these specific terms using Google, but should instead peruse headline news or political sections and read through several articles.

The article you choose should be a minimum of 500 words, recent (within three weeks), and from a reputable news source (many colleges provide free access to national news sources).

STEP 2 : Write a thorough summary of the article.

STEP 3:  Using your sociological imagination, write an analysis of the article that connects the main idea/s of the article to specific key terms and theories from this module on government and politics.

STEP 4 : Include the link to your article, check for any writing errors, and submit your article with your response paper.

The article chosen is recent, relevant, and reputable. The article missing 1 of the requirements (recent, relevant, and reputable) The article is missing 2 of the requirements. The article is missing the requirements. __/3
Summary is succinct, thorough, original, and accurate. Summary is missing 1 of the requirements (succinct, thorough, original and accurate). Summary is missing 2 of the requirements. Summary is missing 3 or 4 of the requirements. __/6
Analysis clearly relates the article content from the article to key terms from this module on government and politics. Analysis includes one or more key terms but does not provide a clear link to the article and/or does not use the term with 100% accuracy. Analysis includes a key term without proper connection to the article and/or misuses the term. Analysis does not include key terms from Module 6 and/or uses key terms incorrectly. __/7
College-level writing grammar (spelling, punctuation, syntax, etc.) with 0-1 error. College-level writing with 2-3 grammatical errors. College-level writing with 3-4 grammatical errors. College-level writing with 5+ grammatical errors. __/4
Total: __/20
  • Assignment: Politics and Sociology. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution

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Writing Guide

Writing sociological topics.

“Sociology is the scientific study of human social life. Sociologists seek to describe social patterns and to develop theories for explanation and prediction of social processes of all sizes. Sociology applies objective and systematic methods of investigation to identify patterns and forms of social life and to understand the processes of development and change in human societies.”

Sociology can be described as the scientific study of society.

Sociologists follow the scientific method in research and translate that research into language that is applicable to diverse audiences.

Even if you don’t plan on becoming a sociologist, learning to communicate in the writing and oral styles that are specific to sociology can be useful in many professions. Even though sociological writing is presenting research about the social world, which we all live in and experience that does not mean that the sociological style of writing will come naturally.

Whether you’re writing a “low-stakes” summary of assigned readings, or a “high-stakes” research proposal, there are stylistic rules specific to sociology that need to be followed. This writing guide aims to help students in sociology courses understand these guidelines and improve their sociological writing.

Departmental Expectations

  • Enable students to understand the interactions among individuals, groups, and social institutions in society.
  • Develop student competence in understanding, critically assessing, and applying major sociological concepts.
  • Introduce students to the various theoretical perspectives of sociology.
  • Develop student understanding of research methods appropriate to sociological inquiry.
  • Develop student competence in posing research questions, evaluating evidence, and developing logical arguments.

Disciplinary Genres

Writing in sociology can be either argumentative or analytical. Too often, students in sociology try to find the “right” answer, rather than taking a stance on the literature.

There are various writing genres within sociology. These genres include, but are not limited to: social issue analyses, article critiques, literature reviews, quantitative research designs, quantitative research papers, qualitative research designs, and qualitative research papers. Common types of writing in sociology classes at UNC Charlotte include summaries of readings, topic essays, literature reviews, methodological designs, and research proposals.

For these writing assignments, you will be asked to analyze and critique previous research or make an argument for proposed research, or both. While the exact style of writing will vary by assignment, and by professor, the writing norms of sociology will always apply.

Writing and Speaking Norms in Sociology

The learning objectives for sociology courses can be reached through communicating in a way that is appropriate to the field of Sociology. As a student in Sociology, you will regularly engage in various types of writing.

As is the case in other academic disciplines, sociologists have developed a style of writing that is most appropriate. The American Sociological Association style guide presents the fundamentals of sociological writing.

Following these guidelines, writing in sociology should be:

  • Clear in expression, with respect to ideas and structure
  • Concise and coherent, avoiding wordy phrases
  • Absent of language reflecting bias or stereotypes
  • Using an active voice
  • Use verb tense that is consistent within a section
  • Proper citations, using American Sociological Association (ASA) guidelines

Examples of Common Assignments

The sociology department, as well as all departments at UNC Charlotte, incorporates low-stakes, medium-stakes, and high-stakes writing into the curriculum. It is not uncommon for sociology courses to assign written work from all of these levels.

Low-stakes assignments serve as a means for input: exploration, discovery, hypothesizing, problem-solving, and so on. Think of these assignments as “writing to learn”. Below are some examples of low-stakes assignments commonly used in sociology courses.

  • Brief in-class writing assignments on course topics.
  • Summaries of assigned readings.
  • Creating a hypothesis.
  • Brief, or list-like, writings about a topic.

Medium Stakes

Medium-stakes assignments focus on certain thinking processes within the discipline. These assignments are still primarily informal but require more guidelines for format, structure, and style that are appropriate to sociology . These assignments are typically done in one sitting and do not require extensive revision. Below are some examples of medium-stakes assignments commonly used in sociology courses.

  • Response papers on lecture or other course materials that incorporate sociological perspectives.
  • Wiki contributions, blog posts, discussion board posts.
  • Reflection papers on personal experiences.
  • Analyses of current issues or events.

High Stakes

High-stakes assignments are easily recognizable. These assignments incorporate analysis, argumentation, or both to a broad range of concepts or readings. High-stakes writing assignments are subject to several revisions and follow more closely the style guidelines of sociology. Below are some common high-stakes writing assignments in sociology:

  • Research proposal or research report.
  • Written report on qualitative or quantitative research done by the student.
  • Final papers that integrate the entirety of course topics.

Here’s an example of a high-stakes research proposal with instructor comments.

Writing Outcomes

Listed at the bottom of this page in the attachments section is an example of a survey research paper done by a UNC Charlotte student as well as the rubric the instructor utilized for grading purposes.

Below are several tools and tips to help you communicate effectively in sociology.

General Advice for Non-Majors will help students not familiar with writing in sociology.

ASA Style Guide will provide examples of the writing and speaking norms in sociology, as well as show how to properly cite resources.

This Reading Guide will help students learn how to approach sociological literature.

The Writing Resource Center at UNC Charlotte provides writing services to students.

Citation Guide will help you make sure that all of your resources are properly cited.

List of ASA (American Sociological Association) Writing Style Guides

The University Center for Academic Excellence (UCAE) provides academic support for UNC Charlotte students.

The Dr. Abel Scribe citation tool is another useful guide for learning about the ASA’s formatting rules as well as its citation guidelines.

Endnote – Citation software program available to UNC Charlotte students.

Marquette University’s Writing Guide for Social Science Majors

University of California, Berkeley’s Writing Guide for Sociology Majors

These sections adapted from:

American Sociological Association. 2010. American Sociological Association Style Guide. 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Sociological Association.

Bean, John C. 2001. Engaging Ideas: The Professor’s Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Darmouth Institute for Writing and Rhetoric “General Advice for Non-Majors” accessed 2013.

Harris, Angelique and Alia R. Tyner-Mullings. 2013. Writing for Emerging Sociologists. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications

Johnson, William A. et al. 2004. The Sociology Student Writer’s Manual. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall

UNC Charlotte Department of Sociology “Home” section accessed 2013.

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Cities are grappling with climate change. A study examines the mechanisms of climate justice policy in Boston, Massachusetts, including efforts to incorporate various definitions of justice into urban climate policy.

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To prevent eating disorders in the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community, we must enact safeguards for sexual and gender minority individuals to live in their bodies authentically, address stigma against and within the LGBTQ+ community, and fund research to develop a better understanding of the unique drivers of eating disorder behaviours and to tailor prevention efforts.

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Many nations have embraced burning wood pellets to produce electricity — under the assumption that it is carbon neutral. But research shows this approach can boost greenhouse-gas emissions and threaten the health of local communities.

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The housing regime as a barrier to climate action

America’s current housing regime—meaning the ways housing is allocated, owned, taxed, and regulated—is a major barrier to the kinds of collective action needed to decarbonize the economy and the atmosphere. We outline why this is the case and argue that major reforms to the housing regime are necessary for fostering collective climate action.

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Political obstacles to carbon capture and storage for carbon removal

Using carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) for carbon removal is crucial to climate policy, but implementation at scale is at risk owing to political obstacles. Climate policies must avoid relying on empty promises of CCS for carbon removal without necessary financial resourcing and support emissions reductions separately from carbon removal.

  • Nils Markusson

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sociology current events assignment

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For the complete article, please visit Time

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SOCI200: Introduction to Sociology

11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 08/08/2024 Request Info

Course Description

A study of social theories, their histories, social structures, functions, and conflict emphasizing human, institutional, and group interactions. The course provides an overview of political, economic and other cultural phenomena and methodologies of the results of scientific social research. In addition, it seeks to expand ideas, concepts, theoretical, and practical orientations by utilizing a comparative perspective.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the  Academic Course Catalog .

Next Start Date*

August 19, 2024

LUOA Equivalent Course*

Program Restrictions*

Sociology offers a perspective that stresses the viewpoint of people’s social experiences underlying their behavior; its focus is increasingly on the growing global context of social life. Social institutions were created by God and provide the framework for societal living. As Christians, it is necessary to understand the structures and dynamics of all societies in order to have a positive impact on one’s fellow man while bearing witness and following the calling of Jesus Christ.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations , the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create 1 thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be at least 350 words and must cite at least 2 sources in current APA format. In addition, the student must post replies to at least 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 250 words, and each reply must cite at least 1 source in current APA format. Acceptable sources include the textbook, the Bible, and scholarly articles. (CLO: A, B, C, D; SSI Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Current Event Assignment

The student will write an essay of at least 750 words that relates to one of the sociology theories reviewed in the course. In order to complete the Current Event Assignment, the student must choose a current event article that addresses a social problem of his or her choice. The paper should include a cover and reference page in current APA format, as well as at least two supportive citations (one per section). (CLO: A, C, D; SSI Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Social Problems Paper Assignment

The student will write an essay of at least 1000 words that relates to one of the sociology theories reviewed in the course. The Social Problems Paper will be based on an issue of the student’s choice such as: homelessness, gang violence, the culture of poverty, teen pregnancy, abortion, etc. The paper should include a cover and reference page in current APA format, as well as at least two supportive citations (one per section). (CLO: A, C, D; SSI Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Community Observation Assignment

The student will take an active part in a community outreach activity of his or her choosing; this will enable the student to connect with the needs of the community. This activity can be purely voluntary or can be an activity related to the student’s employment. The student will then write three full pages of content explaining the experience and what was learned from the experience. Along with the three pages, there must also be a cover page in current APA format. There must be at least two APA supportive citations and reference page in APA format. (CLO: B, D, E; SSI Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4)

This quiz will assess the student’s understanding of basic concepts related to research, theories, and worldview. The student will answer 10 questions (multiple choice) with a 30 minute time limit. The student may consult the Research Overview Presentation at any time during the quiz. (CLO: E; SSI Learning Outcomes: 1, 3)

Quizzes (6)

Six (6) quizzes for this course will cover the material presented in the textbook readings and presentations. The exams will be open-book/open-notes, contain 25 multiple-choice, matching, and true/false questions from a large test bank, and have a 60-minute time limit. These quizzes can be taken up to two times within the assigned module; the highest score will be recorded. These quizzes are open-book/open-note. (CLO: A, C, D; SSI Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4)

The Quiz: Sociology and Research will be 20 multiple-choice, matching, and true/false questions from a large test bank, and have a 60-minute time limit. This quiz can be taken up to two times within its assigned module; the highest score will be recorded. This quiz is open-book/open-note. (CLO: A, C, D; SSI Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4)

The Quiz: Race and Ethnicity will be 20 multiple-choice, matching, and true/false questions from a large test bank, and have a 60-minute time limit. This quiz can be taken up to two times within its assigned module; the highest score will be recorded. This quiz is open-book/open-note. (CLO: A, C, D; SSI Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4)

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sociology current events assignment

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  1. Current Events Assignment

    SOC101: Principles of Sociology; Current Events Assignment; SOC101: Principles of Sociology. This guide will help students complete the current event presentation assignment. Step 1: Choose a Current Event Article. Browse through these news sites to choose an article: NPR (National Public Radio)

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    Current Events Assignment Katrina Northcutt School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University SOCI200: Introduction to Sociology Professor Florin Coltea October 9, 2023 Current Events Assignment The article I have chosen for this assignment is titled "Nobel prize awarded to Claudia Goldin for her work on women in the labor market" by ...

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    Current Events Assignment. In the article used for this assignment, it was said that the U. economy added 236, jobs in March, which was able to drop the unemployment rate to 3%. It also mentioned that in the past few years, the labor force market has gone down due to the Covid-19 pandemic because of unemployment.

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  7. Applying Theory to Current Events

    This assignment is a final cumulative paper that evaluates how well students in an undergraduate theory class can describe basic theoretical concepts and then apply these ideas to a contemporary social issue or event. We offer two similar takes on the same basic framework. Download this resource to see full details.

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    Assignment: Aging and the Elderly; Conduct an interview of a person 65+ Government and Politics: Discussion: Government and Politics; Pick a question to discuss related to sociology and politics; Assignment: Politics and Sociology; Find a current news event article about politics, voting, or political leadership; Work and the Economy

  9. Writing Papers That Apply Sociological Theories or Perspectives

    It is not intended to replace instructions from your professors and TAs. In all cases follow course-specific assignment instructions, and consult your TA or professor if you have questions. About These Assignments. Theory application assignments are a common type of analytical writing assigned in sociology classes.

  10. Current Sociology: Sage Journals

    An official journal of the International Sociological Association, Current Sociology is one of the oldest sociology journals in the world. It is a fully peer-reviewed, international journal that publishes original research and innovative critical commentary both on current debates within sociology as a developing discipline, and the contribution that sociologists can make to modern societies ...

  11. Module 15 Assignment: Politics and Sociology

    Module 15 Assignment: Politics and Sociology. STEP 1: Find a current news event article about politics, voting, or political leadership. Look specifically for an article that covers information related to concepts you learned about in this module, including power, authority, political systems, voting, or theoretical perspectives on government.

  12. Sociology Current Events Teaching Resources

    This assignment encourages students to take what has been learned in Morality and use the applications to current events. Skills used: Critical Thinking, Apply, Analyze, Summarize, Research, Compare and Contrast, and Break down information concisely. ... current events, sociology, etc. Subjects: Criminal Justice - Law, Geography, World History ...

  13. Writing Guide

    Analyses of current issues or events. High Stakes. High-stakes assignments are easily recognizable. These assignments incorporate analysis, argumentation, or both to a broad range of concepts or readings. High-stakes writing assignments are subject to several revisions and follow more closely the style guidelines of sociology.

  14. PDF SOCIOLOGY 3. In 5 SOCIOLOGY CURREN

    SOCIOLOGY 3. In 5SOCIOLOGY CURREN. EVENT ASSIGNMENT Find a news article relating. a social issue. Give the name of the source (must be from a newspaper, news magazine, or news website) date, name of the article, author (if given), and page. mber (if given). To be current, article must be published within 7 days of the as.

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  16. Connecting Social Justice to Current Events: Guidelines for

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  18. Current Events Analysis Worksheet

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    Sociology document from North Central Texas College, 3 pages, Kianna Redetzke SOC-220-OAS1 Current Events Assignment October 2, 2022 Student loan debt is a current social topic that I choose to discuss for this assignment. Recently, President Joe Biden and the U.S. Department of Education have unveiled a three-part

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  23. SOCI200: Introduction to Sociology

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