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Intro Soc Theory, FINAL PAPER TOPICS AND INSTRUCTIONS

Prof. Gabe Ignatow

Chilton 397A

Instead of taking the final exam (40%) of your grade, you may choose to write an original research paper. Here are the requirements for the paper:

  1. Due the time and day of the final exam, in the final exam room, or else in my office mailbox on the 3rd floor of Chilton Hall.
  2. Length: 6-7 pages plus 1 or more pages of references
  3. References:
    1. APA or MLA style
    2. Approximately 5 from the course readings, and 5 from other books and articles not read in the course
    3. You should use books or articles, plus not more than one web site
  4. Where to find books and articles on your topic:
    1. Scholar.google.com
    2. http://iii.library.unt.edu/
    3. Sociological Abstracts: UNT Library Home Page à Electronic Resources à Sociological Abstracts
  5. Please discuss the topic with me beforehand, preferably during my office hours.
  6. The paper can be mainly theoretical, or you can discuss a topic of interest to you. You may use a paper from another class as a basis for this paper. However, the paper must be related in some way to some of the theories and authors discussed in class.

Examples of Possible Topics

What is the “function” of functionalist theory? Of any theory?

Did Pierre Bourdieu radically break with the Marxist tradition, as he claims?

Does Marx’s “historical materialism” help us to make sense of the world today?

Why was Marx wrong about the inevitability of Communism?

How did classical sociologists understand urbanization? Were they right?

Is there a “leisure class” in America today? Why or why not?

Does Marx’s theory of religion help us to understand religion in Ameica today? Why or why not?

What were W.E.B. DuBois’s major contributions to sociological theory? Is he still relevant?

What are the main differences and similarities between Berger and Luckmann’s “social constructionism” and Marx’s theory of religion?

Is society evolving? How so?

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