Soc 213: Social Theory
Paper Assignment
We have already discussed the three major paradigms in sociology (functionalist, conflict,
interpretive/interactionist) to some extent but further knowledge of the three is crucial to develop a deeper
appreciation of social theory. Your task is to write a RESEARCH paper that includes the following four
sections:
1) Introduction: Start with a short introduction that introduces your reader to the topic of your paper. This
only needs to be a paragraph or two.
1. Summary: Provide a brief summary of each of the three paradigms. You should focus on the main tenants
of functionalism, conflict theory, and Interactionism, NOT the specific aspects of a specific theorist’s
theories. I’d suggest about a page for each of the three paradigms (hence, the summary should be about
three pages total).
2) How Each of The Three Paradigms Views “X” (“X” would be whatever your chosen subject is):
Contrast the three paradigms on how they view/explain your chosen subject (e.g. how they view/explain
religion, crime, the family, or sports). This section should make up ABOUT A THIRD TO A HALF of
your paper. Again, you want to focus on the paradigm, NOT the specific aspects of a specific theorist’s
theories.
3) Conclusion: Provide a short conclusion that summarizes your paper. This only needs to be a paragraph or
two.
A few concluding remarks:
1. Your paper must be between 8-10 pages (excluding the title page and bibliography in ASA format which
you also should include).
2. You should use headings and subheadings in your paper. At a minimum, you must use the following:
Introduction, Summary of the Three Paradigms, How Each of The Three Paradigms Views “X” (“X” being
your chosen subject), and Conclusion.
3. Page numbers must be included on all pages with the exception of the title page.
4. Your paper must have 1 inch margins all around.
5. Your font size must be 11 or 12 point. No fancy fonts… just use something basic like Times New Roman.
6. Use proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar. More than one error per page (thus, ten errors in ten pages,
for example) is far too much and will result in your grade being lowered by 20%. Fewer errors than this can
still cost you points so proof-read your papers very carefully.
a. Furthermore, if papers are poorly written I will also provide a tentative grade instead of an actual
grade. You must then fix the errors and resubmit the paper to me within 7 days of receiving your
paper back from me. I will once again look at the paper and if you have corrected enough of your
errors, I will provide you with your tentative grade. If you do not meet the deadline or if you do not
adequately fix your errors, your tentative grade will be turned into a “0.”
7. You must use the ASA reference style (instructions are located at the class website).
a. If your paper has not used the ASA style I will provide you with a tentative grade instead of an
actual grade. You must then fix the errors and resubmit the paper to me within 7 days of receiving
your paper back from me. I will once again look at the paper and if you have corrected enough of
your errors, I will provide you with your tentative grade. If you do not meet the deadline or if you
do not adequately fix your errors, your tentative grade will be turned into a “0.”
8. You must use AT LEAST FIVE SCHOLARLY SOURCES1. Websites, class notes, and your text books
MUST NOT BE USED. This includes scholarly quotes taken from scholarly sources found at a website.
In short, do not use the web, period except to find and display scholarly articles in databases like J-stor or
Socindex!
9. You may use introduction to sociology texts in the summary of the paradigms section but you CAN NOT use only
introduction to sociology texts in this section (you should use other sources), nor should you rely too heavily on
introduction to sociology sources in your summary or introduction. Use other sources. Textbooks that are exclusive
to your topic CAN BE used. Thus, for example, if your topic is “crime” you can use a criminology textbook, if your
topic is “religion” you can use a religion textbook, etc.
10. You CAN NOT use your introduction to sociology textbooks in the HOW EACH OF THE THREE PARADIGMS
VIEWS “X” section of the paper. You can, however, use your textbook(s) that are exclusive to your topic. Thus, for
example, if your topic is “crime” you can use a criminology textbook, if your topic is “religion” you can use a religion
textbook, etc. Be sure to use your sources in a roughly equal manner, however.
11. Do not rely too heavily on any one of your sources. Try to use all of your sources equally.
Finally, If you have any questions on how to use Microsoft Word (e.g. to find out how to put page numbers on
pages), please call the computer help desk at 610-921-7676. If you have any questions related to the subject
matter of the paper, contact me! Make me earn my paycheck!!
Websites, dictionaries, encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines such as Time, Newsweek, National Geographic, etc., are NOT
scholarly sources. Scholarly sources are books generally published by a university press authored by an expert in the field (e.g. a
professor or other researcher), or an article published in an academic journal that is peer reviewed (e.g. The American Journal of
Sociology, American Sociological Review, Social Forces, Sociological Quarterly, Sociological Focus, Criminology, The Journal for
the Scientific Study of Religion, etc.). If you have a question as to whether or not your source is a scholarly one, email me the citation.
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