English Question

The Sociological Imagination

Your book introduces you the the Sociological Imagination (Chapter 1). The text states: “Sociologists often study culture using the sociological imagination, which pioneer sociologist C. Wright Mills described as an awareness of the relationship between a persons behavior and experience and the wider culture that shaped the persons choices and perceptions. Its a way of seeing our own and other peoples behavior in relationship to history and social structure (1959).”

Basically, we are products of our society. We make decisions based on how we’ve been raised, how we’ve been socialized (by our parents/family, peers, media, friends, religion, etc.). For instance, you may have a very strong feeling about abortion — most people do. But by using the sociological imagination, we can see that our attitudes about abortion do not “come out of nowhere.” We form our attitudes based on many things (how technology has made abortion less invasive, how birth control is easier to acquire, how women’s rights have changed over time, how the laws have changed over time, etc.).

For instance, my friend “Janice” has certain attitudes about abortion. She believes it is a woman’s right to choose. Using the sociological imagination, I can see that her mother influenced her feelings about abortion by being a feminist in the 1970s and by teaching Janice that her body is hers alone. She also was influenced by the fact that abortion is “safe and legal” and in the eyes of the law, a woman’s right. Had Janice been raised in a very strict religious household, in a very conservative community, her feelings about abortion might be different.

Directions

Given the above illustration, and after reading about the sociological imagination, please do the following:

Please acknowledge the content warning.
Please write a statement about guns and then use the sociological imagination to explain how you came to these conclusions.

- Write a statement about feelings/opinions toward guns.

You may either write an autobiographical account of your own attitudes toward guns – gun control/gun rights – or write about someone else’s attitude about guns. How do you, or the person you’re writing about, feel about guns? This is opinion and therefore, there are not wrong answers.

- What larger social forces influenced this opinion?

Here, you’ll be using the sociological imagination to understand how we form opinions.

Please begin with a clear statement of the position (gun control/gun rights/no opinion) followed by a description and analysis of how you think broader social forces have influenced personal views. (Please keep in mind, no one else will read this paper, and the position you choose makes no difference to me. I want to make sure you understand the sociological imagination and how sociologists use this to study human behavior.) Write between 250 – 300 words.

To earn full points for this assignment:

Answer all questions in complete sentences.
Demonstrate an outstanding understanding of the sociological imagination.
Have fewer than five (5) spelling and/or grammar mistakes.
Write between 250 and 300 words.

Rubric

Sociological Imagination Rubric

Sociological Imagination Rubric
Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuality of Autobiographical/Biographical Account	10 to >5.0 ptsEssay thoroughly addresses how they feel about the topic5 to >0.0 ptsEssay only somewhat addresses how they feel about the topic 0 ptsNo references to prompt of assignment.	10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuality of Account Tying Opinion to the Sociological Imagination	10 to >5.0 ptsEssay thoroughly demonstrates an outstanding understanding of the sociological imagination. Student was clearly able to tie formation of opinion to outside influences.5 to >0.0 ptsEssay only briefly touched upon how outside forces shaped opinions. Not great detail in answers. 0 ptsNo references to prompt of assignment.	10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar, Punctuation & Spelling, Word Count	5 to >4.0 ptsRules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed; spelling is correct. 250 to 300 words.4 to >2.0 ptsRules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are usually followed; spelling is correct. Less than 250 words. 2 to >0.0 ptsEssay contains several grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. Less than 250 words.0 ptsEssay contains numerous grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. Less than 250 words.	5 pts

Total Points: 25

Requirements: 300

WRITE MY PAPER

The Sociological Imagination

Directions

To earn full points for this assignment:

Rubric

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