As burgeoning social scientists, we are often asked our opinions on matters that range vastly. F

As burgeoning social scientists, we are often asked our opinions on matters that range vastly. For instance, many of the professors and even some graduate students in the Departments of Sociology, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and so on, have published commentary on local issues here in Albany. Here are a few of those articles. Take some time to read through these articles. Some of them may conjure thoughts of our course readings.

Kate Henley Averett Department of Sociology

https://www.scarymommy.com/coronavirus-homeschooling-disproportionate-burden-women/

Richard Lachmann Department of Sociology (podcast)

https://sputniknews.com/radio_the_critical_hour/202003251078710922-senate-votes-on-covid-19-bill-as-wall-street-excels-main-street-holds-the-bag/

Stacy Torres and Xuemei Cao Department of Sociology

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/03/01/coronavirus-fight-fear-racism-anti-chinese-sentiment-campus-column/4913481002/

Samantha Friedman (Sociology), Recai Yucel (Epidemiology and Biostatistics), and Sociology Department PhD alums Colleen Wynn and Joseph Gibbons

Black and Muslim Disadvantage Hits Home in Philadelphia

But the usefulness of curating an op-ed extends beyond just being able to answer some questions or explain certain phenomenon. The goal here is to be able to engage in meaningful social conversations like a social scientist might, but also to be able to understand multiple perspectives about social issues.

Assignment Instructions:

You will complete an extended essay drawing on social theories in class to comment on and analyze a current affair of your choice. The goal is for this to take the form of an op-ed and should focus on the themes of class struggle and economic inequality from the perspectives of Weber and Durkheim. To help you out a bit, it might be useful to browse media for articles written about a topic, and then respond to the article (for example, responding to an article written about the treatment of the working class during the current pandemic). In your responses, you should approach the topic from a Weberian perspective and from the perspective of Durkheim. Put yourself in their shoes, what would they each say about the issue?

Formatting:

600-1200 words

12-point font

Single Spaced

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