Core Lessons in Introduction to Sociology Summary

Posted: January 20th, 2023

For the final paper, I want you to write 100-150 words that expresses the most impactful lesson you learned during each week of this Sociology 1 course. That means you will produce ten distinct entries of 100-150 words each, and each entry will convey just one distinct/specific lesson you learned during that week. As stated in the syllabus, here are the ten distinct units of this Sociology 1 course:
Week 1: Sociology and Common Sense
Week 2: Norms, Sanctions
Week 3: Classical Theorists and Their Ideas (Part I)
Week 4: Classical Theorists and Their Ideas (Part II)
Week 5: Basic Debate: Choice and Constraint
Week 6: Social Class
Week 7: Race Matters
Week 8: Doing Gender
Week 9: Identity and Intersectionality
Week 10: The Sociological Imagination
In summary, you will produce a final paper that is 1000-1500 words, and this paper will highlight ten of the most important lessons you learned in Sociology 1. Throughout, as you draft this final paper, you should primarily draw upon lecture content, readings, in-class exercises, and your own notes. Writing an introduction and conclusion is strongly encouraged.
You will be primarily graded on (1) the clarity with which you articulate your ideas and (2) demonstration of Sociological Growth/Development.
Rubric for Research Paper

 
 
Outstanding – 20pts
Good  – 15pts
Fair – 10pts
Unacceptable – 5pts

 
Outline
 
Excellent section headings, indicative of a steady “flow” to the overall paper. Topics and subtopics clearly indicated.
Professional looking.
Good section headings, indicative to a steady “flow” to the overall paper. Topics clearly indicated, could use more subtopics.
 
Fair section headings, indicative that the paper has “flow”. Topics and subtopics not clearly indicated. Unclear organization of thoughts.
 
Disorganized appearance.
Relevant topics missing or incorrect, paper has no indicative “flow”.
Not professional.

Abstract
 
Highly informative, complete and easy to understand. Appropriate vocabulary is used.
Abstract makes you want to read the paper.
Informative, complete and understandable. Appropriate vocabulary is used.
Somewhat informative and understandable.
 
Not very informative or understandable.
 

Structure
 
Thesis is clear, easy to find, and appropriate to the assignment.
Thesis is supported by the rest of the paper.
Paper contains a “roadmap” for the reader.
There is a logical “flow” to the topics/arguments. Conclusion follows clearly from the arguments presented.
Thesis is clear and appropriate.   Thesis fairly well supported.
Paper is fairly well organized.
Conclusion follows from the rest of the paper.
Thesis is fairly clear.
Inconsistent support for thesis. Paper weakly organized. Conclusion is acceptable.
Thesis unclear and/or inappropriate.
Thesis not supported.
Paper is not organized. Conclusion doesn’t follow from the rest of the paper.

Research
 
The evidence comes from a wide variety of valid sources. The bibliography is complete and reflects appropriate sources.
 
The evidence comes from the minimum valid sources. The bibliography is complete.
Valid sources are inconsistently used.  The bibliography contains minor formatting errors.
 
Multiple sources cited  incorrectly.
Bibliography missing.
 

Critical
Thinki
 
ng
Arguments are pertinent to the topic.
Arguments are logical, supported with evidence. The key arguments have been made – no major points have been left out.
Arguments are
pertinent to the topic.   Arguments are fairly logical and reasonably supported.
Most key arguments have been made.
Arguments are not consistently pertinent, logical, or supported. Few key arguments have been made.
Arguments not pertinent. Arguments rarely, if at
all, logical and supported.
Almost no key arguments have been made.