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Anna Maria Bounds, Ph.D.
Sociology Department
anna.bounds@qc.cuny.edu
Writing in Sociology: Understanding Urban Subcultures (SOC 190)
Syllabus
Course Description
This course will focus on writing about urban subcultures. According to the Oxford English
Dictionary, a subculture can be defined as “a cultural group within a larger culture, often having
beliefs or interests at variance with those of the larger culture.” Think for a moment about your
experience as a New Yorker. How many subcultures can you identify? What characteristics
cause you to think of these groups as subcultures? How are these subcultures unique to cities?
To better understand the genesis and characteristics of urban subcultures, we will explore topics
such as the presentation of self, the development of individual identity, group cohesion and
group dynamics, and the relationship between subcultures and systems of power (based on class,
race, gender, and sexuality). New York subcultures to be studied include Graffiti Artists,
Hipsters, Buskers, Doomsday Preppers, Skateboarders, and Surfers. In this course, students will
write a series of reports designed to explore elements of urban subcultures through scholarship
and field research. These reports will include: an issues reaction paper, a field diary and
questionnaire, an annotated bibliography, and an ethnographic report. This course fulfills the
College Writing 2 requirement and builds on the work of English 110 (College Writing 1) to
teach the conventions of writing in the discipline of Sociology.
Learning Objectives
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Read critically and analytically, including identifying and evaluating an argument’s major
assumptions (Issue Reaction Paper)
Write clearly and coherently in varied, academic formats using standard English and appropriate
technology to critique and improve one’s own and others’ texts (Writing Workshop Participation)
Demonstrate research skills using appropriate technology, including gathering, evaluating, and
synthesizing primary and secondary sources (Annotated Bibliography)
Support a thesis with well-researched arguments, and communicate persuasively across a variety
of contexts, purposes, audiences, and media (PowerPoint Presentation to the class)
Formulate original ideas and relate them to the ideas of others by employing the conventions of
ethical attributions and citations (Ethnographic Report)
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Assignment 1: Issue Reaction Paper (2-3 pages)
The purpose of an issue reaction paper is to define an issue clearly and to formulate and clarify your
position on that issue by reacting to a controversial statement. In the film Gimme the Loot, several
controversial statements were made about the Graffiti Artists. For this assignment, react to one
controversial statement by presenting an argument that supports or argues against the statement. Be sure
to draw on the articles and ideas discussed in class to support your position.
Steps:
1. Select a suitable reaction statement.
2. Explain your selection.
3. Define the issue addressed in the statement.
4. State your position on the issue.
5. Defend your position.
6. Conclude strongly and concisely.
Audience: A group of people interested in subcultures
Assignment 2: Field Diary and Questionnaire (4-5 pages)
Conducting detailed observations and recording field notes are crucial research skills. To practice these
skills, you will visit an NYC site to observe the behavior of a subculture. The instructor must approve
your selection. Your field observation should be two hours long. Your field diary should include a
detailed summary of your observations, a code sheet of observed behaviors, two photographs taken during
your site visit, and your reflections on the experience of being a researcher.
Please also include a copy of your questionnaire and a transcript of any interviews that were conducted
during your site visit.
Audience: A group of researchers that will use your field notes and interviews to learn about the
subculture
Assignment 3: Annotated Bibliography (3-4 pages)
An annotated bibliography is a listing and a brief description of articles, books, or other sources on a
given topic. Each entry contains two items: the bibliographical citation (ASA or APA style) and the
annotation, the brief description or summary (usually about 100 to 250 words) of the work’s contents.
Please complete an annotated bibliography of six works that discuss a specific element of subcultures or
that discuss a particular subculture. Be sure to rely on models discussed in class. Please use ASA or
APA style. Summaries should be between 100-250 words. Be sure to write your own summary rather
than merely providing a copy of an abstract.
Audience: Readers of an academic journal who are seeking to learn about subcultures
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Assignment 4: Ethnographic Report (6-8 pages)
For our class, an ethnographic report is a descriptive analysis of a particular subculture. The instructor
must approve your subculture selection.
Now that you have studied scholarship on subcultures and conducted field research, you are prepared to
make a meaningful contribution to intellectual debate about the significance of these groups to urban
culture. Drawing on your class research and assignments, you will prepare and present a case study that
analyzes a NYC subculture in relation to three elements: the subculture’s key characteristics, its history,
and important insights that the group reflects about sociological theory on these groups.
To strengthen your arguments, be sure to use both scholarship and the knowledge you gained in the field.
Remember, you are now the class expert on this particular subculture!
You will have 10 minutes to share a PowerPoint presentation on the subculture to the class (your fellow
researchers). The presentation should be an overview of your case study that emphasizes the highlights of
your research. Be sure to focus on the three areas of your case study. Use your creativity in developing
your presentation. This is your chance to share a meaningful story about the subculture. Please
incorporate text, maps, and photographs to help us understand the importance of your research.
Also, please be sure to practice your presentation. A well-rehearsed and thoughtfully planned
presentation is an important hallmark of a good researcher. A PowerPoint guidelines and tips sheet will
be distributed in class.
Audience: A group of academic conference attendees who are interested in learning about subcultures
Grading
The course is designed to sharpen your skills as a sociologist. Therefore, all assignments must reflect
professional standards of analysis, presentation, writing and timeliness. As in professional life, accurate
spelling and grammar, and clear and concise writing are critical. Please note that emailed assignments
will not be accepted. All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments will be reduced
one letter per class session (In other words, if an assignment is late, grading will begin at a “B” level).
Each assignment builds on one another. Submitting late assignments will increase the difficulty of
subsequent assignments.
Given the high number of grandparent fatalities during the midterm, a death certificate is now required for
students who miss the midterm or submit late assignments due to a death in the family. No exceptions
will be made.
An incomplete for the course will be granted only in highly unusual situations and only with a prior
written request from you, written approval from me and your advisor, and a written schedule of deadlines
indicating when the course requirements will be met. Any deviation from these arrangements for grades
of “incomplete” may result in a final failing grade for the course.
The final grade for this course consists of:
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Pre-writing Assignments 20%
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Issues Reaction Paper 10%
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Field Diary and Questionnaire 20%
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Annotated Bibliography 20%
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Ethnographic Report 20 %
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Ethnographic Report Presentation 10%
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Required Texts
The following books are required for the course:
Subcultures: The Basics by R. Haenfler
The Sociology Student Writer’s Manual by W. A. Johnson et al.
The Great Floodgates of the Wonderworld by J. Hocking
Additional readings will be posted online at www.ambounds.org
Please note that readings are subject to change. With the exception of exam and assignment dates, the
syllabus may be modified.
A Note on Professionalism
Please respect the following policies:
Plagiarism and Academic Integrity:
You are expected to abide by the college’s policies regarding plagiarism and academic integrity.
Violating these policies bears serious consequences. Please be certain that you understand proper citation
standards. If you are uncertain, please consult a research guide and/or style manual (such as The Modern
Researcher or The APA Style Manual). You may also talk with me.
Attendance and Punctuality:
Your regular attendance at class meetings is necessary for doing well in this course. If you are going to
miss a class (or need to arrive late or leave early), please let me know ahead of time. Students who arrive
late or leave early disrupt the class and miss important information.
Cell Phones:
Please turn off all cell phones before entering the class. If you are in an emergency situation or are
expecting a truly urgent communication, please turn off any sounds or audible signals your device may
emit during use, turn your ringer down low, or use a vibrating signal if your device has one, and be sure to
sit near a door and exit quietly to take a call or respond to a message.
Please avoid texting in class. It is disruptive to fellow students and it is distracting to me. Students
who are chronic texters will be asked to leave class.
Policy on Accommodations for Disabled Students:
Students with a disability are encouraged to see me about accommodations during the first week of class
so that I can make sure that you have the necessary tools to succeed, in accordance with campus policy
and Americans with Disabilities Act laws. Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation
should: (1) register with and provide documentation to the Special Services Office, Kiely Hall, Room
171; (2) bring a letter to the instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what type. This should
be done during the first week of class. For more information about services available to Queens’ students
contact: Special Services Office, Room 171, Kiely Hall; 718-997-5870 (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
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Class Schedule
******IF YOU MISS A CLASS, PLEASE GET THE NOTES FROM ANOTHER STUDENT. I
DO NOT, WILL NOT, AND CANNOT EMAIL NOTES TO STUDENTS.
Week 1: Defining Subculture
(H): “What is Subculture?”
(H): “How do Subculture Emerge and why do people participate?”
Week 2: New York: Cities as a the Capitals of Youth Subculture
(H): The city: suggestions for the investigation of human behavior in the urban environment”
(H): The life-cycle of the taxi-dancer [1932]
Recent article on urban subcultures (TBD)
Week 3: Graffiti Subculture
(H): The graffiti subculture: Making a word of Difference
Article on NYC Graffiti Subculture (TBD)
Pre-Writing Activity: Students Respond to an Editorial about Subcultures
Week 4: NYC Graffiti Subculture
Gimme the Loot In-class Screening
Pre-writing Activity that involves a reaction to the film
Issue Reaction Paper Assigned
Week 5: Who Joins Subcultures?
Issue Reaction Paper Due
(H): Who participates in subcultures?
(H): “Authentic” Participants vs. “Posers”
Reading on Field Notes (TBD)
Pre-Writing Activity: Class watches a footage of street performers and practices taking field notes
Week 6: Hip Hop Subculture
Field Diary Assigned
Article on NYC Hip Hop Culture (TBD)
Goffman, A. (2009) “On the Run: Wanted Men in a Philadelphia Ghetto,” American
Sociological Review 74(3): 339-357.
Week 7: NYC Hip Hop Culture
Film about NYC Hip Hop Culture (TBD)
(J): “Organizing the Research Process”
(J): “Sources of Information”
Field Diary Due
Week 8: Buskers
Article on History of Buskers (TBD)
(J): “Critical Evaluation of Sociological Literature”
Annotated Bibliography Assigned
Week 9: NYC Buskers
Film on NYC Buskers (TBD)
Pre-Writing Activity: Designing a Table that identifies Key Information for Annotated Bibliography
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Week 10: Rockaway Beach Surfing Subculture
Riding Giants (In Class Screening)
(J): “Qualitative Research Papers”
Annotated Bibliography Due
Ethnographic Report Assigned
Week 11: Rockaway Beach Surfing Subculture
Rockaway Surfing Culture Footage
The Great Floodgates of the Wonderworld: A Memoir (Excerpts, TBD)
Week 12: Ethnographic Report Draft Review
Pre-Writing Activity: Students meet in groups of four to review their drafts according to a critique sheet
Week 13: Audience Orientation and Ethnographic Report Presentation Workshop
Reading: Qualitative Research article on Visualizing Data (TBD)
Pre-Writing Activity: Students revise their presentation drafts to better orient audience members to their
topics
Week 14: Ethnographic Report Presentations
Student Presentations and Reports Due