FINAL CRITICAL ESSAY
For this course’s major written assignment, you are to analyze one marker – or intersecting markers – of identity and specific concepts through a popular song of your own choosing. The paper must make strong links to the course and is to be a mechanism for students to think more personally and deeply about a given course topic and concepts. The goal here is depth and the demonstration of critical thinking and argumentation . The final critical essay should be 5-7 pages in length .
Students are required to write a sociological paper that is analytical, argumentative, and critical. It is imperative to note that the writing of a sociological paper requires the use of scholarly sociological sources, such as sociological books, edited sociological collections, and scholarly sociological journals. The final critical essay must include a minimum of THREE sociological scholarly sources NOT including the course textbook and related course materials. You are working to further expand your thinking and to be in critical conversation with scholars on your chosen topic.
Students are required to include full bibliographic information for all secondary materials used in their work. All submissions should be double-spaced, with one-inch margins and size 12 font. You must use proper APA format in the completion of your written work.
Your final critical essay should answer the following questions; you will not be overtly responding to these questions, but should use these prompts in formulating your line of reasoning:
* What is the song’s “thesis” ?
* To what major course theme and course concepts does the song relate – and how?
* What is your position on your chosen issue and related course concepts?
* What academic sources can you find and implement that are useful to your thinking about your chosen
course theme, popular song, and specific issues?
* How can you demonstrate your logical line of reasoning and support your specific position?
Besides the essay writing seminar, you will be supplied with further final critical essay writing supports,
including relevant detailed grading schemes posted on the course’s learning management system.