Sociological Autobiography

Sociological Autobiography

In essay form, address the following questions:

Thinking back to the very first reading — “The Sociological Imagination” — In what ways have you developed your own sociological imagination through taking this course? 

Use the sociological imagination to understand your own life — what is the relationship between you and your society? 

What is the relationship between your history and your biography? 

How do your various sociological attributes (e.g. Where you were born, where you grew up, who raised you, what social class you were born into, what languages you speak, your race and/or ethnicity, your sex, gender and sexuality/sexual orientation, your age, the historical period in which you are living, how the larger economy shapes your life, your educational attainment, whether or not you are a parent, etc…) impact who you are? 
What is your culture? What are your values and beliefs? Where did you get them?

How do you think your race, your socioeconomic status, and your gender each impact the way the world sees you? How do you think they impact how you see the world? 

Instructions for writing this essay:

Write answers to each of the questions above, one at a time, as if they were discrete short-answer question/answers. 

Draw heavily on any relevant material from the readings, as well as the five films that you watched and and five podcasts that you listened to (or read the transcripts of). You don’t have to reference everything, but you should reference the material that is relevant to your life or your thinking about your life and your identity over the 5 weeks of this course. 

Organize what you have written in an order that makes sense. For example, as you are answering one of the questions, you might find that you naturally/automatically answer another one of the questions. It may be helpful to write an outline before you start writing. 

Write the essay as a version of the “five paragraph essay” — if you don’t know, google it. Write the substance of the essay first then go back and write an introduction that introduces the reader to the main points you will be making. 

In your conclusion reflect on what you have learned in this class, about yourself, your culture, your peers, your family, and the society you find yourself in.

Formatting guidelines:

The essay should be about 1000 words, or 4 double-spaced pages

The essay should have a unique/creative title

You should use a normal font, size, margins (e.g. Ariel, 12 pt, 1 inch margins)

You can include pictures, art, drawings, songs, videos, etc.