FINAL RESEARCH ESSAY – SOC 787 CULTURAL SOCIOLOGY


Thirty-five percent (35%) of your grade will be based on a research essay due on January 21, 2018.*
Please follow the guidelines below, and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I
answer most e-mails within 24 hours. You may come and see me for help during my office hours or
e-mail me to make arrangements for another time that is convenient for you. In other words, there
is no excuse for problems with this assignment! My schedule is very flexible and I enjoy meeting
with students – please take advantage of this fact!


I have also posted some readings, under Week 6, which will help you to think about how to pick a
topic (“Picking a Research Topic” Turabian 1-3), how to format your paper (“Research Essay – Useful
Information” – Sociology Writing Group Ch. 4) and other general writing tips (Turabian Chapters
4-5, 6-8, and 11-13). There is also a citation guide from the American Sociological Association
that you should follow for structuring your reference list and a file entitled “Acknowledging
Sources” that will help you avoid “accidental” plagiarism. Finally, there is a file with the essay
grading criteria.


STRUCTURE:


The purpose of this essay is to work in a cultural sociological way. The assignment is very broad –
you may choose any topic, as long as you utilize some of the theory/theories we have covered in the
class. I will approve the topic and make sure that your research question is narrow enough to
answer successfully in an essay of this length.


The final essay should be approximately 10-12 pages (2.5 cm. margins, double-spaced, 12 pt. Font).
The total word count should be between 3,000 – 4,000 words.


TIMELINE:


November 8, 2017      A few preliminary sentences in class about your potential topic (You can
change it at any time with my approval)


December 12, 2017    A short (1-3 pp.) preliminary summary of your work, including a research
question, is due in the HOMEWORK VAULT.


December 13, 2017    A short presentation in class about your progress (5-7 minutes)


January 10, 2018        FINAL ESSAY IS DUE FOR MASTERS STUDENTS SITTING FOR         THE STATE EXAM.


January 21, 2018        FINAL ESSAY IS DUE in the HOMEWORK VAULT by 23:59.


LATE ESSAYS will be marked down by 2 points per day (out of a maximum of 35 points).


*IMPORTANT NOTE: Students sitting for the State Master’s Exam MUST submit their essays by January
10, 2017.