Hello Class! Here is information regarding the 1st Critical Thinking Paper where you are instructed to apply the three theories/perspectives that were reviewed in class (functionalism,
symbolic interactionism, conflict). The remainder of this document should read like our class
discussion on the application of theory to a given topic: I will list here the steps/guidelines to
completing your paper. Per this example I have selected “Sports” as my topic to analyze. In other
words, I will apply the three perspectives to the topic of sports and provide the steps for how I do
that. I expect a similar application in your papers.
Here we go…..don’t forget to breath……this is not about submitting to me a perfect assignment
and/or a “complete paper”…..More importantly, this is about you thinking critically and looking
beyond the “surface” of an issue or social phenomena and using the sociological imagination to
analyze whatever your topic may be. Also, this paper demonstrates your developing albeit
working knowledge of the three major sociological perspectives or theories.
Paper Requirements:
Black, Times New Roman, 12 Point Font
Double Spaced
Cover Page that only includes your Name, Class (SOC 101), and the Due Date
Expected length of paper is a minimum of 4 full pages; you will not lose points for
writing more than this
Works Cited page at the very end on a separate page than paper
Writing the Paper (Remember the topic in this example is sports)
1. It may help to review the textbook, notes, and handouts regarding the three perspectives
before starting to write. This info can be found in Chapter 1 of the textbook
2. In your own words, begin the paper with a brief explanation of the three perspectives
3. Consider introducing your angle on sports (are you looking at cycling, baseball, football,
cricket, beer pong, etc?)
4. Explain the main features and foci of the functionalist perspective. Identify the manifest
and latent functions as well as any dysfunctions of sports using the functionalist
perspective (macro-level societal functions). Consider how sports have changed over
time and how social institutions are impacted by those changes
A functionalist would ask how sports serve society. What are the functions of sports?
5. Explain the main features and foci of the conflict perspective. Particularly, identify
gender and social class implications using the conflict perspective (macro-level
perspective). Do sports patterns vary when it comes to race, social class, and/or gender?
What social factors contribute to those differences?
Conflict theorists would examine how sports supports the status quo (the social
order where some dominate at the expense of others) and propitiates social
inequality between powerful groups and subordinate groups
6. Explain the main features and foci of the symbolic interactionist perspective. Include how
self-concept (how we define ourselves) identity, and interactions are impacted using the
symbolic interactionist perspective. How do sports impact people’s identity and
interactions? What is the symbolic importance of sports? (To answer this maybe consider
the content from Chapter 2 regarding non-material culture)
Interactionists would attempt to try and understand how people in sports and
others in their environment adopt and define their roles and in a sense construct
social reality
7. Conclude your paper. Essentially, your paper starts with you telling me what you are
going to say (Introduction), then you say it, (Body of paper), and then tell me why you
said it—why it is important to do so? (Conclusion)
8. Document your “research” sources. By this I mean you need to indicate where you got
your information. This will be a list included at the very end (on its own page) of your
paper that literally lists what sources you used. See below for an example of this page. If
you use anything from the textbook you need to cite it properly with in-text citations.
Here is an example:
According to some functionalists it is important to consider the history of an
institutions functions (Openstax, 2016).
******Notice first that I do not need quotes because I didn’t take it from the author I
paraphrased that statement and put it in my own words. Second, notice that it looks really
weird the way I have it here but that’s how it’s done. The citation for this and any other
resource is cited by placing the authors last name in parentheses followed by a comma
and the date of publication
Sources of information: you can use journal articles, books, policy websites, and other
credible resources. NO WIKIPEDIA for this paper
Previous answers to this question
This is a preview of an assignment submitted on our website by a student. If you need help with this question or any assignment help, click on the order button below and get started. We guarantee authentic, quality, 100% plagiarism free work or your money back.
Get The Answer