Assignment Instructions

Assignment 1: Socialization
Due by 11:55p on Sunday of Week 3

Assignment 1 meets the following course objectives:

• Apply a sociological perspective to the social world.
• Analyze contemporary social issues using the sociological imagination and use sociological theories and concepts to analyze everyday life.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify, locate, and retrieve information related to the topics in the course.
• Describe culture and socialization

Purpose

The primary goal of this exercise is to apply your developing sociological knowledge and skills to the analysis of the process of socialization.

Writing Expectations

This should be 4-6 pages long, double-spaced, 11pt font (arial or times new roman), with 1″ margins.

Instructions:

Describe and analyze the process of socialization. Begin with responding to the question “Who Am I?” In your description, make sure to incorporate the concepts we have addressed in the course, such as roles, statuses, group membership, etc.  Your response to this question should be at least 1+ page in length.  Next, analyze at least 4 agents of socialization that have affected your development as an individual, focusing on childhood socialization into adulthood.  Consider, for example, the ways in which the family, religion, media, peers, and education have influenced your development, opportunities, and life choices. Your analysis of the process of socialization should be 3+ pages in length and incorporate at least 4 sociological concepts or theories covered in this course (hint: sociological concepts should be clearly identified and then applied; any paraphrasing or direct quotes used from another source should include APA formatted in-text citations and a full citation at the end of the essay.  Examples of related concepts and theories include the self, moral development, nature and nurture, and resocialization).

Grading Rubric

Exemplary

Accomplished

Developing

Beginning

Did not attempt

Who am I description
 

5 points

Exemplary

Detailed description of individual’s identity, roles, statuses as applicable

5 points

Accomplished

Discussed roles and statuses, including the setting and preparation as applicable

4.3 points

Developing

Discussed roles and statuses, some details lacking 

3.8 points

Beginning

Briefly described roles and statuses, details lacking

3.3 points

Did not attempt

No discussion of roles and statuses or description lacks detail

0 points

Analysis of socialization
 

10 points

Exemplary

Clearly analyzed socialization process, identifying and describing 4+ influential agents of socialization

10 points

Accomplished

Discussed the socialization process, identifies and describes 4 influential agents of socialization

8.5 points

Developing

Discussed the socialization process; some detail lacking.

7.5 points

Beginning

Discussed meaning of the events; did not include cultural, symbolic, structural, or social meaning

6.5 points

Did not attempt

Did not clearly discuss the meaning of the events

0 points

Related concepts

5 points

Exemplary

Clearly and correctly applied 4+ relevant sociological concepts and/or theories

5 points

Accomplished

Applied 4 relevant sociological concepts and/or theories

4.3 points

Developing

Applied at least 3 related concepts; some detail lacking

3.8 points

Beginning

Applied at least 1 concept; some detail lacking

3.3 points

Did not attempt

Did not include related concepts or application is lacking in detail.

0 points

Writing expectations; APA formatting
 

2.5 points

Exemplary

Follows writing expectations. Includes a title page. Included APA formatted in-text citations and full references for all paraphrased and quoted work from other sources.

2.5 points

Accomplished

Some writing expectations may have been missed. Minor errors in APA formatting of citations.

2.1 points

Developing

Writing expectations somewhat followed. Multiple errors in APA formatting of citations.

1.9 points

Beginning

Writing expectations not followed; little use of APA format.

1.6 points

Did not attempt

Writing expectations not met; APA format not attempted.

0 points

Grammar & Spelling
 

2.5 points

Exemplary

Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

2.5 points

Accomplished

Author makes a couple of errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

2.1 points

Developing

Author makes a few errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

1.9 points

Beginning

Author makes multiple errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

1.6 points

Did not attempt

Author makes many errors in grammar and spelling such that the intent of the paper cannot be understood.

0 points