Sociology Book Project

It is important to extend and/or apply knowledge learned from the class. Reading a book that deals with one of the main topical areas of sociological study will help put what you have learned into perspective, and allow you the opportunity to actually apply the knowledge you have.

For this project, you have the opportunity to choose a book that deals with one of the topics of sociology listed on the back. You will read the book and apply your knowledge of that area to analyze, comment and critique the book. The book can be a sociology text or study, or can simply deal with the topic (fiction, biography, etc.)

You will need to apply to have the book approved, and once approved by me you can proceed. Not doing this in this order could put reading that you have done at risk of not being counted.

The Project that you hand in should be a minimum of 3 pages total, with a minimum of ONE page analyzing the book by applying sociological knowledge, ONE page of your reactions, comments and observations about the book, and ONE page critiquing the book.

ANALYSIS—Using sociological terms and concepts for that area, separate the book into parts and explain how the sociology helps understand and interpret the book. If a sociology text, explain the main concepts, ideas, and application of the ideas in the book.

COMMENTARY—explain or interpret your book. What are your reactions to it? How does sociology help you understand the book/story? What are the limitations of applying sociology to the book? What do you think the author’s points/ideas were? Etc.

CRITIQUE—carefully evaluate and judge. To judge the merits. What was successful and “good” about the book? What didn’t work? What could have been changed? Was the sociology in the book realistic? Inaccurate? Did the author make the topic/subject understandable? Useful? Etc.


Rather than a traditional paper, we will be using a blog (weblog) for your project. A blog allows you to continually make changes, as well as allows other students easy access to your work. We will set these up on Blogger, at www.blogger.com. Even if you have another blog site or use another blog, we will use blogger for this project.

Some rules:
Remember that a blog is globally public. Do not put anything on a blog that you do not want to be held accountable for.
A blog is not the place for jokes, some take the jokes seriously.
Do not give out any personal information on the blog: Last name, address, phone numbers, e-mail addresses. Etc.
Do not give out any personal information on the blog of any other person, or school information: Last name, address, phone numbers, e-mail addresses. Etc.
Do not use the blog to make personal attacks, make inappropriate comments or use inappropriate language. Again, you are accountable for what you write.
DO make it professional, well written, correctly spelled, well thought out.
Make your blog name www.FIRSTNAMEsociology.blogspot.com (We’ll do this together). Because a blog is public, you can only make short, relevant quotes available on the web from the book (copyright issue).






Topics for Book Project

Scientific methods
Sociology theories (Structural-Functionalism, Interactionism, Conflict)
Research Methods (Experiment, Survey, Field Observation, Historical, Content Analysis)
Ethics of Research
Culture
Nurture or Nature?
Norms
Values
Symbols
Language
Biology and Culture
Cultural Change
Diversity
Race and Race Relations
Social Structure
Social Interaction
Social Institutions: Family, Media, Education, Religion, Workplace
Agents of Socialization
Adulthood and Aging
Adolescence
Gender and Sex Roles
Social Groups
Organizations, Government, and Bureaucracy
Organizational Change
Deviance and Social Control
Crime
Sexual Deviance
Gender Identification
Street Gangs
Mental/Psychological Deviance
Cults
Class and Wealth
Social Stratification
Inequality
Power and Power Groups
Ethnicity
Population and Health
City (Urban) Life
Collective Behavior
Social Movements
Crowd Behavior
Technology and Social Change
Modernization
Terrorism and Violent Movements
Community Organizations
Social Structure
Group Interaction
Levels of Society (Individual to Group to Civil Society)






Application for Sociology Book Project


Topic:







Proposed Book(s):








What interests you most about this book?













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Student Signature


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Holmes’ Signature

Parent approval for weblog authoring.
I am asking your student to complete a project as an online weblog, rather than a traditional paper. Please review the assignment and the rules for blog participation above and sign if your student is approved to participate. If you have any questions or concerns before signing, please feel free to get in touch with me. Best is by e-mail cholmes5@cherrycreekschools.org but also can be reached at 720.886.5671.
Thank you.

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Parent Signature/Approval