Fall2023 From the Syllabus: “Short Essays: Two short essays of no less than 1,20

Fall2023
From the Syllabus:
“Short Essays: Two short essays of no less than 1,200 words each are required. Each essay should consist of the following four parts: 1) an accurate and well-written summary of a theoretical framework discussed in class, including key concepts, assumptions, logic (dynamic or mechanism); 2.) a coherent summary of the main arguments in the theory; 3) a brief critique that explores the assumptions, reasoning, and implications of the theory; 4.) an attempt at applying the theory to contemporary situations. Please note that biographical information about the theorist(s) should not be included unless you can show its significance and relevance to your discussion of the theory or theories in question.”
What to write about: Your papers could center on the following
1. One reading assignment: this could be the easiest choice; but one reading may not offer sufficient contents to write about.
2. A central theme in one theorist such as Marx, Durkheim, etc. This choice entails integrating multiple readings by the same theorist.
3. A school of theoretical tradition such as conflict theories, functionalist theories, or symbolic interactionism etc. (This is probably the most challenging choice as it requires integration of arguments from different sources and theorists)
What is to be included in the papers:
1. A summary of the theory (50%) (or theories) you choose with clear distinctions between perspectives, assumptions, and arguments. Accuracy is of utmost importance for this portion of the essay. Please try to minimize your “pre-judgment” of the theory or theories in question.
2. Critiques of the theory (or theories) (30%): note that critiques can be composed in the following aspects:
a. Theoretical perspective: what is highlighted (or foregrounded) and what is concealed (pushed into the background). In other words, what is made visible and what invisible by the theoretical perspective.
b. Theoretical assumptions: usually assumptions are about the presupposed characteristics of actors, or persons, or individuals, or members of a class or community. These assumptions are often hidden between lines. For instance, does the social actor have any agency or is the actor merely a puppet of social structural forces? Or, is the social actor rational, self-centered, or other-centered?
c. Theoretical arguments: one could approach theoretical arguments by examining the imposed “social dynamic” that drives or sustains a society according to the theorist; and the logic and reasoning implied in arguments. Furthermore, one could also use evidence to either verify or falsify (some of) the arguments.
3. Application of the key theoretical arguments to contemporary issues (20%): Use some of the most important theoretical arguments from the theory (or theories) you summarize and critique in the two sections above to examine contemporary (or historical) situations to measure how well or how badly arguments work. You need to be able to think not only in theoretical terms but also to link theories to real social processes.
Format and Referencing:
A. The paper should contain no less than 1,200 words (about 5 pages if double-spaced), formatted with one-inch margins on all sides. Any source (except the reading assignment of this course) you use should be referenced on a bibliography page in the APA format. The word count does not include the references.
B. Please keep in mind that it is perfectly fine to cite, quote, and use information from various sources. But it is considered plagiarism if you fail to give credit to the sources! Please read the university policies on academic dishonesty if you are unfamiliar with them (https://www.montclair.edu/policies/all-policies/ac…).