What’s the point of this assignment? This initial Reflection and Assessment Assignment provides you an opportunity to explore your thoughts about some of the themes we will be exploring throughout the semester. Later in the semester, you’ll look over what you wrote here and think about how your initial thoughts might be enhanced by sociological insights.

As these are your ideas, you will not be looking up sources (no wikipedia, google, etc.) or relying on others (no asking your parents or friends for input). Read over and proofread your answers before submitting. Keep it brief and to the point!

This is a relatively long assignment. You are asked to write between 800 and 1400 words total. You may want to write your responses in a word processing program (i.e. MS Word) and then copy/paste your responses into the provided text box.

You should respond to each set of questions in 100 to 200 words and clearly mark each answer with a, b, c, and d.  You should set aside one to two hours to complete this assignment.

Fully and clearly addressing each question and sub-question.
Following all formatting instructions.
Writing clarity and style, including grammar.
Depth of reflection

QUESTION SETS:

1.

Respond to the following questions with your opinions or views, in 100 to 200 words. Label your responses as a, b, c, and d.

a. To you, what does the term “society” mean? How would you describe your “society” as different from other societies?

b. To you, what does the term “culture” mean? How would you describe your “culture” as different from other cultures?

c. Describe, in detail, what you see as the “normal” American person. How similar or different is this “normal” American compared to you? In what ways? Do you strive to be normal? If so, why and how? If not, why not?

d. Describe, in detail, what you see as the “normal” American family. How similar or different is this “normal” American family compared to your family? In what ways? Does your family strive to be normal? If so, why and how? If not, why not?

e. For you, what does it mean to be an “adult”? Are you an adult now? Why or why not? How will/did you know when you become/became an adult?

Respond to the following questions with your opinions or views, in 100 to 200 words. Label your responses as a, b, c, and d.

2.

Respond to the following questions with your opinions or views, in 100 to 150 words. Label your responses as a, b, and c.

a. In general, how much do you think people’s lives are explained by their surroundings (e.g. family, friends, media, neighborhood, education, etc.) and how much do you think people’s lives are explained by their personal biology or personality?

b. Describe some ways that you think your life has been shaped by your society, culture, or those around you in a positive way.

c. Describe some ways that you think your life has been shaped by your society, culture, or those around you in a negative way.

3.

Choose one of the institutions we will be studying: (government, criminal justice, the economy, educational systems, healthcare, or families)

Given the institution you chose, respond to the following questions with your opinions or views, in 150 to 200 words. Label your responses as a, b, c, and d.
a. Past: How do you imagine that this social institution shaped peoples lives in the
United States in one of these historic decades? (1890s, 1920s, 1950s, or 1970s)
b. Present General: How do you think this institution influences peoples lives today in the United States? What are the main ways you think it has changed between the period you wrote about in part “a” and the present moment? Why do you think this change has happened?
c. Present Personal: Describe some experiences when you were especially aware of this
institution’s influence on your life. Do you think this experience would have been different if you had a different gender? A different race? A different sexual orientation? A different social class? (Address all four identities) Describe how you think it would (or would not) have been different, and explain why you think this.
d. Future: How do you imagine this institution will influence peoples lives in the year
2050 in the United States? In what ways do you think it will be different from today? Why do you think it will change in this way?

4.

Choose a different the institution than in your previous response to address these questions: (government, criminal justice, the economy, educational systems, healthcare, or families)

Given the institution you chose, respond to the following questions with your opinions or views, in 150 to 200 words. Label your responses as a, b, c, and d.
a. Past: How do you imagine that this social institution shaped peoples lives in the
United States in one of these historic decades? (1890s, 1920s, 1950s, or 1970s)
b. Present General: How do you think this institution influences peoples lives today in the United States? What are the main ways you think it has changed between the period you wrote about in part “a” and the present moment? Why do you think this change has happened?
c. Present Personal: Describe some experiences when you were especially aware of this
institution’s influence on your life. Do you think this experience would have been different if you had a different gender? A different race? A different sexual orientation? A different social class? (Address all four identities) Describe how you think it would (or would not) have been different, and explain why you think this.
d. Future: How do you imagine this institution will influence peoples lives in the year
2050 in the United States? In what ways do you think it will be different from today? Why do you think it will change in this way?

5.

Choose one of the identities we will be studying: (social class, race, gender, sexuality)

Given the identity you chose, respond to the following questions with your opinions or views, in 150 to 200 words. Label your responses as a, b, c, and d.
a. Past: How do you imagine that this identity shaped peoples lives in the
United States in one of these historic decades? (1890s, 1920s, 1950s, or 1970s)
b. Present General: How do you think this identity influences peoples lives in general today in the United States? What are the main ways you think it has changed between the period you wrote about in part “a” and the present moment? Why do you think this change has happened?
c. Present Personal: Describe some experiences when you were especially aware of this
identity in your life. Describe a time when you think you were treated differently by someone else than you would be if you had a different identity. Why do you think there would have been this difference?
d. Future: How do you imagine this kind of identity will shape peoples lives in the year
2050 in the United States? In what ways do you think it will be different from today? Why do you think it will change in this way?

6.

Choose a different identity than the one you wrote about previously to address the following questions. (social class, race, gender, sexuality)

Given the identity you chose, respond to the following questions with your opinions or views, in 150 to 200 words. Label your responses as a, b, c, and d.
a. Past: How do you imagine that this identity shaped peoples lives in the
United States in one of these historic decades? (1890s, 1920s, 1950s, or 1970s)
b. Present General: How do you think this identity influences peoples lives in general today in the United States? What are the main ways you think it has changed between the period you wrote about in part “a” and the present moment? Why do you think this change has happened?
c. Present Personal: Describe some experiences when you were especially aware of this
identity in your life. Describe a time when you think you were treated differently by someone else than you would be if you had a different identity. Why do you think there would have been this difference?
d. Future: How do you imagine this kind of identity will shape peoples lives in the year
2050 in the United States? In what ways do you think it will be different from today? Why do you think it will change in this way?