Theory Paper: Applying EACH perspective to a topic. (50 Points)
Five paragraph, 500-750 word essay in length. 12 point font, double spaced, Word or PDF format (no Google Docs or .pages files)

NOTE: It is your responsibility to make sure the file uploads properly into Blackboard

INSTRUCTIONS
You will be writing a paper that demonstrates 1) your understanding of three of the sociological perspectives we have studied in the course and 2) your ability to apply these perspectives to contemporary social issues.  Focusing on social stratification, answer the following questions in the format provided below.  Your final paper should be a minimum of 500-750 words in length, using a 12-point font, and double-spaced. Failure to adhere to formatting standards may result in a deduction of points from the final grade. You are required to use material from the textbook and at least one additional academic source.  When citing your sources, you must use MLA or APA format, and you must include a Works Cited page of sources that were cited with in-text citations in your paper. Citations should largely be paraphrases rather than direct quotes, demonstrating an understanding of the cited material.  This assignment is worth 10% of your final grade.

TOPIC:
Social stratification

INTRODUCTORY SECTION:
Identify your area of focus within stratification (e.g. race, gender, sexual orientation) and explain why the issue is important, and mention the relevance of the three perspectives.

THEORETICAL SECTION: 
STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM:  Describe how this topic may be viewed via the structural functionalist perspective.  Include a brief overview of the theory, its key focus, and how it can be applied to your topic.
SOCIAL CONFLICT:  Describe how this topic may be viewed via the social conflict perspective.  Include a brief overview of the theory, its key focus, and how it can be applied to your topic.
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONIST:  Describe how this topic may be viewed via the symbolic interactionist perspective.  Include a brief overview of the theory, its key focus, and how it can be applied to your topic.
CRITICAL THINKING ANALYSIS:
In this section, I am looking for you to explicitly illustrate an ability to select and use information appropriately to investigate a point of view or conclusion.  Conclude your paper by doing one of two things:

A)  Make the case for the best theory to explain your chosen topic (you will choose and have to be able to justify this choice by using information appropriately).  Be sure to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each theory.

OR

B)  Make the argument that your topic is best understood by using multiple theoretical lenses (again, you have to be able to justify this choice by using information appropriately). Be sure to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each theory