The Sociological Imagination Applied

The task: In this section of the course we have studied the meaning and application of a sociological imagination. In 4-5 double-spaced pages, demonstrate your sociological
imagination as applied to your own experiences in applying to college, living at college, and your expectation for work immediately after college (you should make a compelling demonstration of your sociological imagination).

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Note that your essay should draw on materials we have read and discussed regarding the social and political construction of education, work, and youth. Be sure to locate yourself over time within larger social structures, inequalities, constraints, and opportunities (e.g. by race, class, and gender as relevant). No additional research or citation beyond course materials is required, expected, or credited. (ALL ACCEPTABLE CITATIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE!!)

Writing Guidelines: In general a short analytical essay should have at most one or two key points that organize and sustain the argument. The paper should NOT be a simple summary or
presentation of another’s arguments (as in a book report), but should be organized by your own argument and analysis. The stronger your organization and thematic line, the stronger the
paper. There is no “correct” answer, it should be noted, to the posed question; it is the strength and clarity of your argument that is key. In general, you want to build a thematic framework
for your paper, organize your sub-arguments, and use source materials as illustrations using quotes, summaries, citations, and so forth. Please spell-check and proofread your paper as
many times as necessary. Rewriting is always necessary: go over your first draft, and reorganize and edit in order to make it as clear and forceful as possible.

Paper Format: 4-5 double-spaced pages, one-inch margins, a standard font (Calibri, Arial or Times Roman), size 12. Use either footnotes or in-text citations and bibliography to indicate
sources; in either case list author, title, and where possible page of a citation (the syllabus does not provide full citations, so your references may be limited to author and title (and no page if a
web site but provide the hyperlink)). Be very careful not to plagiarize—and this includes patchwriting, i.e. the use of multiple small snippets of text from multiple sources. Papers with be
checked for plagiarism.

Analysis and Grading: Worth 20% of the grade. We will be looking for the degree to which you demonstrate:
 A thesis which organizes and provides originality for your essay[see guides on Blackboard
and class discussion],
 Clarity and coverage of larger relationships across areas and inequalities of the world,
 A mastery of the relevant arguments and ideas in the readings, class lectures and
discussion, and
 Logical precision, clarity, and creativity in the composition of your essay.

Only citations acceptable:
a. C. Wright Mills, The Sociological Imagination, “The Promise,” 3-8

b. Paulo Freire, “Pedagogy of the Oppressed,” ch 2. 71-86 only

c. Jonathan Kozol, “Still Separate, Still Unequal”

d. NYC: Nat Hentoff, “Segregation 2010: Bloomberg’s Schools,” Village Voice, Mar 24 2010,

e. Malcolm Gladwell, “Getting In,” The New Yorker, October 10, 2005

f. Josh Zumbrun, “SAT Scores and Income Inequality: How Wealthier Kids Rank Higher,” Wall Street Journal, October 7,
2014.