Sociology Reading Guide
Now is the time to explore an aspect of society that you find interesting. You will be REQUIRED to read a
book in order to earn a passing grade in Sociology. There is a wide variety of fascinating topics. The
following are suggestions, if you have an alternative NON-FICTION, just ask and I will try to accommodate
your choice.
1.
Neither Wolf nor Dog- Kent Nerburn
20. No Ordinary Heroes – Demaree Inglese
2. Culture of Fear – Barry Glassner
21. Wasted – Marya Hornbacher
3. Nickel and Dimed - Barbara Ehrenreich
22. I’m Down - Misha Wolff
4. Shot to the Heart - Mikal Gilmore
5. As Nature Made Him - John Copitalano
6. Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell
7. Coming of Age in Mississippi - Anne Moody
8. Klan Destine Relationships – Darryl Davis
9. Richistan – Robert Frank
10. Fast Food Nation – Eric Schlosser
11. In Praise of Slowness - Carl Honore
23. Half the Sky- Nicholas Kristof and
Sheryl WuDunn
24 No Angel – Jay Dobyns
25. The Legacy of Luna – Julia Butterfly Hill
26. Life on the Color Line – Gregory Howard
Williams
27. Columbine by David Cullen
28. It Gets Better – Dan Savage
29. Another Place at the Table by Katherine
Harrison
12. Savage Inequalities - Jonathan Kozol
30. Honky by Dalton Conley
13. The Other Side of the River –A. Kotlowitz
31. Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepherd
14. Three cups of Tea - Greg Mortensen
15. Radioactive Boy Scout- Ken Silverstein
16. “Why Are all the Black Kids Sitting
Together in the Cafeteria?” B.D Tatum
17. Lies My Teacher Told Me – James Loewen
18. Our Daily Meds – Melody Patterson
19. Gang Leader for a Day- Sudhir Venkatesh
32. The American Way of Eating by Tracie
McMillan
33. Falling Leaves Adeline Yen Mah
34. Short Sweet Dream of Eduardo
Guitierrez by Jimmy Breslin
THIS PROJECT IS DUE
ON______________________________.
NO LATE WORK – NO EXCEPTIONS!
Due on Wednesday January 9th – No late work – No exceptions
Please read your book and analyze it as a sociologist. You will be completing the following tasks:
Part I. Create a Reader Discussion Guide . Your TYPED guide will include these MANDATORY
ITEMS:
A. A well written summary of the book including THREE worthwhile sociological
concepts/definitions that demonstrates your newly acquired knowledge. Please underline the
concepts and include specific page numbers or chapters where the concept is discussed. The
summary should be at least 1 ½ - 2 pages in length.
B. An alternative title for the book with an explanation why it makes sense.
C. A relevant article from an academic professional journal along with a TYPED summary
and explanation how it relates to your book (2-3 paragraphs minimum). Please include the first
page of the article.
D. Social Media Connection– please summarize a professional” You Tube” video that relates to
the concepts presented in your book. You must include the link. The summary should be 100 200 words in YOUR OWN WORDS!
OPTIONAL COMPONENT if you would like an “A”
e. Independent research. You are to conduct an interview with a professional who has some
background and/or connection to the subject matter of your book. Please do not use parents or
high school teachers unless you have prior approval.
 You will create at least five appropriate questions that you will ask your contact.
These must NOT be “yes or no” questions. They can be book specific or about the topic
in general. The preferred method of interviewing is face to face. However, you may
conduct the interview over the phone. Contact information must be included. (see
attached form). .

Interview Response: Please write up the responses to your questions into paragraphs. Think
of it as if you are writing a newspaper article about the interview.
-
Reader Discussion Guide
Book summary and explanation of three definition or concepts
An alternative title for the book.
Academic Journal
Social Media Connection
/30
/5
/15
/15
-
Interview questions
Interview 0response
/5
/5
75/ pts
Part II. Written in class responses.
25 pts
Part III. Speed booking
15 pts
Please complete this page along with the written portion to receive the additional 10 pts.
Sociology Interview
PLEASE PRINT
Your Name:
Topic:
Name of interviewee:
Title/Position:
Date of interview
Phone number:
Email.
Website ( if applicable)
Questions: “Yes or No” will not count.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
(minimum of five)
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
In class response
On a separate sheet of paper, please write a well thought out and detailed response to
the following questions. You will write a total of FIVE responses – approximately five
paragraphs.
+ Please do not write on the back of the sheet.
You MUST answer these two questions:
a. What was your favorite part of the book? Why? Please cite a specific passage.
b. What does this book say about society? Any particular aspect?
Please answer three of the following questions. BE SPECIFIC.
1. Did you find any flaws in the book? Explain.
2. Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
3. What were some of the major themes of the book?
4. What have you read or viewed that is similar to this book?
5. What is the most important relationship in the book? Explain.
6. Explain why would this book make a good documentary or movie?
7. Are there any aspects of this book that are relevant to your life? Explain.
8. If you could have a conversation with the author – what would you ask?
9. Is there a possible sequel to the book? What would it be? Title? Explain your
reasoning.
Name:
Summary plus
Definitions
& Concepts
Alternative
Title
Article
summary
Social Media
Questions
Written
Responses
Excellent
5
Good
4.25
Average
3.75
Poor
3.25
Unacceptable
2
Well written
summary in your
own words.
Excellent
understanding
of concepts.
Page #s
included.
Decent summary
and shows a
good
understanding
of relevant
concepts. Page
#s included.
Demonstrates
adequate
knowledge of
the book.
Concepts
covered but not
explicated
stated.
In complete or
inaccurate
summary. “Cut
and paste” job?
Concepts
unclear or
inadequate.
No page #s
Summary and
concepts fail to
show a basic
understanding
of the
material. No
page #s.
Creative and
original title
with explanation
Successful title
with explanation
Title included
with little or no
explanation
Not included
Well written
summary,
appropriate
article and
demonstrated
relevance to
topic
Excellent video
choice or blog.
Relevant to
topic. Complete
summary. Link
included.
Excellent
questions.
Interesting and
appropriate. All
contact
information
included.
Well written
and thoughtful
responses.
Shows clear
understanding
of the concepts.
No grammatical
errors. Relevant
interview
subject.
Clearly written.
Not exceptional
but logical and
requirements
are included.
Decent job of
summarizing
appropriate
article and
showed its
relevance.
Poorly
constructed
and/or no
explanation
Minimal effort
demonstrated
on summary
and/or article
not relevant to
topic
Clearly written.
Not exceptional
but logical and
requirements
are included.
Decent job of
summarizing
appropriate
video and
showed its
relevance.
Decent
questions some
“yes and no”.
Little to no
contact
information.
Minimal effort
demonstrated
on summary
and/or not
relevant to
topic.
Too many yes
or no questions
or not
appropriate to
the content.
Not included
Completed the
requirements.
Demonstrated
adequate
insight. Some
grammatical
errors.
Interview
subject
somewhat
appropriate.
Poorly written
– little to no
insight into the
topic.
Grammatical
errors hurt the
effectiveness
of the writing.
Not included=
0
Good questions.
Appropriate
content.
Contact
information
included.
Clearly written.
Not exceptional
but logical and
all requirements
are included.
Relevant
interview
subject.
Total
X6
X1
Not included
X3
X3
Not included =
0
X1
X1
Total
/75
Name:
Comments: