For Assignment 2, you are asked to apply one theoretical concept to a social dimension of the coronavirus pandemic. To complete this assignment, you will need to find a popular media (journalistic) source that describes a social aspect of the pandemic. The media source should consist of factual reporting, and must not be an opinion-editorial. You will then use your concept to shed additional light on that aspect of the pandemic. The concept should bring a distinct contribution to understanding your chosen aspect of the pandemic.
As a brief reminder, a concept is a narrowly defined idea used to analyze (explain, understand, or critically assess) a real-world phenomenon. Stated another way, concepts are useful terms that researchers employ to focus and define their investigation of the social world. Do not mistake concepts for sociological paradigms. Structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism are paradigms, that is, broad theoretical perspectives in sociology. Concepts, on the other hand, are the smaller elements that fit within these broader paradigms. Think of concepts as the “bricks” that help build the paradigm “house.” For example, alienation and commodity fetishism are key concepts in the larger Marxist paradigm.
Understanding what a concept is, realize that you should not select a popular media (journalistic) article that features a sociological concept. (Typically, journalists avoid the use of academic terminology because they are writing for a general audience. So this part of the assignment should not be difficult). In fact, you are expected to offer the sociological analysis that is absent in the popular media source of your choosing. So, in selecting your source, do not choose a sociological article. Aim for a popular media article. And, when you provide your analysis using the concept, ensure that you use keywords from the concept’s definition in your analysis. You are expected to compellingly “connect the dots” between your theoretical concept and the social dimension of the pandemic as found in your chosen popular media article. Do that and you will do well on this assignment.
Use the following outline to complete Assignment 2. Be sure to copy and paste these labels, numbered appropriately, in your final Assignment 2 submission to expedite the grading process.
1. Select a theoretical concept from the text (20 points):< Provide Your Answer >
2. Provide the definition of the theoretical concept as featured in the text (20 points):< Provide Your Answer >
3. Find a media source that reports on a social dimension of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Provide the full reference information (American Sociological Association format) and the web link to that source (20 points):< Provide Your Answer >
4. In 100-150 words, use the theoretical concept to provide a sociological interpretation of the social dimension of the pandemic discussed in the article, taking care to link your concept to information featured in the article (40 points):< Provide Your Answer >Word Count:
Note that the word count is for Item 4 only.
You are asked to only locate one popular media source to analyze. That media source can be an online article, a news report, or a podcast. However, if you select a report or podcast, there must be a full transcription available for you to analyze and cite.
Assignment 2 Subpar Examples
This document provides two subpar (deficient) examples of Assignment 2. Each example is deficient in particular
ways. Consider the examples that follow as problems to avoid as you complete Assignment 2.
Read the assignment instructions on our course website. Recall that you are required to use the following
outline to complete Assignment 2. Be sure to copy and paste these labels in your final Assignment 2 submission.
1: Select a theoretical concept from the text (20 points): < Provide Your Answer >
2: Provide the definition of the theoretical concept as featured in the text (20 points): < Provide Your
Answer >
3: Find a media article that reports on a social dimension of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Provide the full reference information (American Sociological Association format) and the web link to
that article (20 points): < Provide Your Answer >
4: In 100-150 words, use the theoretical concept to provide a sociological interpretation of the social
dimension of the pandemic discussed in the article, taking care to link your concept to information
featured in the article (40 points): < Provide Your Answer >
Word Count:
Below are different examples to give you an idea of how not to execute this assignment. Review these two
examples carefully, paying attention to their content (sound logic, argumentation, etc.) and format (adherence
to instructions, use of complete sentences, presence of typographical errors or lack thereof for these attributes).
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•
Example 1: Dysfunctional social consequences
Example 2: Emotional labor and new racism
o Note that you are not to use two concepts for the assignment. One of the problems with
Example 2 is the use of two concepts. Do not follow this example by using two concepts.
Since these three theoretical concepts are used for the following examples, you are encouraged to select other
concepts unless you have already begun your work with one of these concepts. Regardless, you must select an
article different than those featured here.
Submission instructions are provided on the Assignment 2 upload link.
Example 1: Dysfunctional social consequences
1. Select a theoretical concept from the text (20 points): Dysfunctional social consequences
2. Provide the definition of the theoretical concept as featured in the text (20 points): Robert Merton’s
dysfunctional social consequences comes from the idea that all social action “can have multiple
consequences, either for the whole society or for just some individuals and subgroups;” dysfunctional
consequences are “social strains and tensions in the social system” (Dillon 2020:169).
3. Find a media article that reports on a social dimension of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Provide the full reference information (American Sociological Association format) and the web link to
that article (20 points): PAHO 2021. “Children and adolescents deeply impacted by COVID-19 pandemic,
PAHO Director asserts.” Washington, D.C.: Pan American Health Organization.
4. In 100-150 words, use the theoretical concept to provide a sociological interpretation of the social
dimension of the pandemic discussed in the article taking care to link your concept to information
featured in the article (40 points): The coronavirus pandemic has had a long range of effects, from
distance learning implication to advice mental health issues across groups but especially in youth. While
risk of infection and significant negative health outcomes related to the disease are often heavily
considered when assessing for appropriate safety measures, the secondary impacts of COVID-19 are
jeopardizing youths’ chances at a bright future and are hindering their growth and development (PAHO,
2021). As social action, various hindrances put into place (i.e., distance learning, lockdown orders) had
consequences that ended up being quite dysfunctional and rationally damaging. With the adaptation of
long-distance learning, there is an increased likelihood that children drop out of school and never return
to in-person or online education. A new phenomenon in the pandemic, this dysfunctional social
consequence was an outcome of the transition to remote learning that created tension and strain for
many schools and families. However just as Merton suggested dysfunctional consequences can have a
positive function in that they highlight an area of a social system that could be modified. While
disastrous for those who may experience long-term educational, employment, or mental health issues
as a result of remote learning, we have been able to direct a spotlight to the disparities within several
social institutions.
Word count: 210
Feedback
1. Select a theoretical concept from the text (20/20 points): Great concept choice!
2. Provide the definition of the theoretical concept as featured in the text (20/20 points): Excellent
definition.
3. Find a media article that reports on a social dimension of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Provide the full reference information (American Sociological Association format) and the web link to
that article (18/20 points): Good article selection. No retrieval date in reference citation (1 point). No
weblink included (1 point).
4. In 100-150 words, use the theoretical concept to provide a sociological interpretation of the social
dimension of the pandemic discussed in the article taking care to link your concept to information
featured in the article (27/40 points):
Substantive issues in the first sentence, “…learning implication to advice mental health…” (2 points).
Commas needed in the second to last sentence between “However, just” and “suggested, dysfunctional” (1
point). While it was newly addressed in relation to the pandemic, school dropouts are not a new occurrence (2
points). The sentence beginning, “As social action, various hindrances,” does not clearly connect the concept to
the article (5 points). Over 200 words are used, but instructions specified between 100 and 150 words to be
used (3 points).
Total points earned: 85 (B)
Example 2: Emotional labor and new racism
1. Select a theoretical concept from the text (20 points): Emotional labor and new racism
2. Provide the definition of the theoretical concept as featured in the text (20 points):
“emotion work individuals do at and as work, for pay; has use‐value”
“symbols and ideas used (in politics, pop culture, the mass media) to argue that race‐based (biological)
differences no longer matter even as such arguments reinforce racial‐cultural differences and stereotypes”
3. Find a media article that reports on a social dimension of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Provide the full reference information (American Sociological Association format) and the web link to
that article (20 points):
(https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/heq.2020.0069)
4. In 100-150 words, use the theoretical concept to provide a sociological interpretation of the social
dimension of the pandemic discussed in the article taking care to link your concept to information
featured in the article (40 points): Emotional labor and new racism touch on the article (Milner, Franz
and Henry 2020) discussing COVID-19. Public health officials as well as scholarly researchers were not
surprised with racism being implemented with the pandemic. Public health officials want to understand
segregation and how rasicm contributes to excessive mortality rates to Americans of color. However
since COVID-19 began it highlights how we now discuss and look at racism. Racism is known as
individuals who are at a disadvantage in society due to their skin color. Racism occurs in society
constantly and it’s hard to recognize racism anymore.
Feedback
1. Select a theoretical concept from the text (17/20 points): Two concepts were provided, but instructions
specified to only choose one concept (3 points).
2. Provide the definition of the theoretical concept as featured in the text (13/20 points): Two definitions
were provided, but instructions specified to only choose one definition for one concept (5 points). First
definition is wrong. Use-value and exchange-value are not the same, and this definition was copied
incorrectly (2 points).
3. Find a media article that reports on a social dimension of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Provide the full reference information (American Sociological Association format) and the web link to
that article (14/20 points): Reference is not in ASA format (2 points). Including only the link does not
count as a full reference format (3 points). The instructions specified a media article, not a journal article
as was used (1 point).
4. In 100-150 words, use the theoretical concept to provide a sociological interpretation of the social
dimension of the pandemic discussed in the article taking care to link your concept to information
featured in the article (27/40 points): No application of theoretical concept. Simply identifying the
concept without some linkage to the definition of it is not correct (10 points). Typographical errors,
among them “rasicm” should be “racism” (2 point). Word count non-compliance: Used 98 words,
instructions specified between 100 and 150 words were to be used (1 point). No word count listed (1
point).
Total points earned: 71 (C-)