Description
The current event assignment is a two-page memo describing a current issue in society (any society) and
connecting it to sociology. Each student has signed up for a general topic area and due date. The sign up
list is posted on Blackboard, under “Course Materials”. To complete this assignment, students will:
1) Find a news story, magazine article, or documentary highlighting a current issue that relates to
the theme you signed up for
Ex: If you signed up to write a current event on health and medicine, you could use a newspaper
story about prescription pill addiction
2) In addition to the news story/documentary you choose, decide AT MINIMUM THREE
REFERENCES from COURSE READINGS OR LECTURES that help explain the current issue from a
sociological perspective.
1. Each chapter from the Introduction to Sociology counts as a separate reference
2. Lecture notes count as a reference
Ex: If you are writing a current event about health and medicine, you could use as your FOUR
required sources: 1) A news story about prescription pill addiction, 2) lecture notes from the
class on health and medicine, 2) chapter 3 on culture from the textbook 3) Blackboard article by
Link and Phelan
You are welcome to include other sources, including sociological research on your topic, if you
choose.
3) In the two page memo you must:
1. Explain the chosen current event topic
2. Apply sociological ideas from readings and lectures that the helps explain the
meaning, origins, and/or significance of the current event
3. Explain how a sociological perspective on this issue helps us understand the issue,
and/or where more information is needed
Formatting
The Current Event Assignment must be:
o Two pages long
o Twelve point font
o Times New Roman font
o Double spaced
o 1” margins on all sides
You must also use in-text citations, and provide a reference page with the FOUR REQUIRED REFERENCES
(1 article/documentary, 3 sources from readings or lectures). Please refer to the separate “Citation
Guidelines” sheet for more instructions.
In the top left corner please write the following information:
Sociology 101, Spring 2016
2
First Name Last Name
Date
Sociology 101
Meredith Gamble
Submission
Journals should be submitted via BlackBoard (BlackBoardèSubmit AssignmentsèCurrent Event
Assignment).
Due Dates
You have signed up for a Current Event with a specific due date. Please refer to the sign up list on
BlackBoard to remind yourself of your due date and topic.
Sociology 101, Spring 2016
3
Grading Rubric
Current event assignments are worth 10% of your final grade, and are worth 10 points. You can receive
half-points. Your grade is calculated using the following criteria:
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION
MAXIMUM
POSSIBLE
POINTS
1. Formatting and references
Formatting guidelines are followed (such as font size,
length etc.). References are properly cited in-text and
included on a separate reference page.
You include at least FOUR references:
1. ONE Article/documentary about current event
2. THREE references from class readings or lectures
1
2. Introduction of current
event
You give a clear overview of the current event you are
writing about. The current event is related to the topic
you signed up for.
1
3. Application of sociological
ideas to current event
You take sociological topics and ideas discussed in
readings and in class and apply them to the current
issue. You use your “sociological imagination” to make
a connection between a current event and sociology.
2
4. Value of the sociological
perspective
You explain how a sociological perspective provides a
deeper understanding of the current event you chose.
You discuss where more information might be needed
to understand the issue better.
1
5. Accuracy Your memo accurately reflects information from class
readings and lectures. 2
6. Clarity Your memo is understandable and is free from
contradictory statements, repetition, and vague claims. 2
7. Thoughtfulness and Depth Your memo is insightful, analytical, and connects to
sociology. 1
TOTAL 10
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