Sociology 410 - Spring 2003
"Marx: Contemporary Applications"
Select one of the topics (or subtopics) and associated readings examined over the last several weeks in our study of Marx's contributions to social science:
Identify a contemporary social issue or problem: something in your life, in this country, or elsewhere in the world. How might our understanding of that issue or problem be enhanced through application of Marx's analytical framework/ theoretical perspectives? Or, alternatively, how has the contemporary world changed so much since Marx's time, that new perspectives must be brought to bear, either in addition to or in place of Marx's analysis?
Select an issue or problem which is both interesting to you and which raises questions of such general social import that it is likely that Weber and Durkheim may be useful as well in analyzing that problem later on in the semester.
Your essay should include a well-stated thesis statement, clear argument, and robust conclusion. It should draw closely from the original text(s), citing and quoting material as appropriate. And it should include serious, informed discussion of a contemporary social issue or problem. If you wish, supplemental sources may be used to illustrate or illuminate the social issue/ problem. However, this is more of an exercise in critical appropriation and application of classical social theory than a research paper.
Your paper should be 3-5 pp. in length, typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. type, 1" margins, plus a coversheet and references. All sources should be properly cited; direct quotes and close paraphrasing should be so noted. Pages should be numbered and spell-checked.
Good luck!
last updated March 07, 2003