Select a contemporary social issue (a topic for your paper) to research and to analyze from the perspective of a sociological paradigm (topic examples below). You will need to research your topic and provide current facts/stats/data on your topic in society today. Be sure to include plenty of in-text citations.
Papers must include one sociological paradigm. Pick only 1 of the 3 main theories to apply to your topic (conflict theory, functionalism, or interactionism). Discuss it directly and apply it thoroughly! If your topic is the gender pay gap, and you pick conflict theory, explain how conflict theory would analyze the pay gap.
Paper structure: Introduction, Body of Paper (where you discuss your research findings and apply your theory), and Conclusion. Be sure to use sociological terms from this course to discuss your topic!
Papers must include at least 5 resources from: books, academic articles, or sociological journals
There are many topics you can consider for your paper. You may find that your topic is very general and you will then need to narrow it down. Some topics could include:
Gun control, media bias, cyberbullying, sexual harassment, the death penalty, undocumented workers, New Jim Crow, gender exploitation, social media issues, police corruption, gambling in athletics, cheating in academic settings, relationships, homelessness, crossing borders, white privilege, juvenile delinquency, environmental racism], whistleblowers, unnecessary surgery (medical sociology), global warming, BLM, etc.
