Submission
Due March 6th at 11:59 PM via Canvas as a word (preferred) or pages document only. CI provides Microsoft programs for free. Late submissions are accepted but are deducted 1 point for each day late.
Purpose of Assignment
Purpose. The purpose of this assignment is to help you practice the following skills that are essential to your success in this course, in this field, and in professional life beyond school.
- comprehend and apply Erving Goffman’s impression management.
Knowledge. This component will also help you to become familiar with the following
important content knowledge in this discipline:
- the presentation of self.
Instructions
A common theme expressed throughout Goffman’s (1959) work, and particularly in The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, is the notion that impression management (review term) is shaped by both strategic and moral concerns. Impression management is the verbal and nonverbal practices we employ in an attempt to present an acceptable image of our self to others. However, Goffman’s approach (e.g., impression management) is more aligned to spaces where people are interacting with each other (i.e., the stage) in person than in social media spaces. Social media provides a unique window into people’s private lives, which is not typically displayed in the “front stage,” or is it?
Writing Tasks
You will be using Goffman’s dramaturgy analysis to evaluate the presentation of self of two people you know and interact with in real life and in person. Please do not identify your person’s name and identify anything that would lead to their identification. All your responses must be anonymous to me about the persons.
Part I: Observation Notes
For each person, you will do the following:
- Take notes on their social media profiles (i.e., twitter, facebook, etc) and interaction with others (i.e., comments). Also, you will make note on how they present themselves to you in person. Based on your notes, please write a one to two paragraph summary for each person, respectively, presentation of self in social media and in person. I do not want your notes.
Part II: Critical Thinking
*A MUST! Must use concepts from the reading and cite/reference the reading. Please do not quote. You must show that you understand Goffman’s concepts and theory.
- In Goffman’s theory of dramaturgy, are the concepts such as front and backstage. Do the individuals you selected display themselves the same or different in their interactions in person and social media? Which would you argue is consider their front and backstage, the in person or social media? or are they both? Support your answers with the reading and evidence (i.e., provide examples).
Assignment’s Format
Max = 4. Do not exceed 4 pages. Please respect the page count. I will not read and grade beyond 4 pages. The purpose of the page limit is to encourage you to write in a concise and clear matter. The pages count does not include the cover page (optional) and reference page (required).
Paper must be typed, double/spaced, Times New Roman font, and font size 12.
Leave one-inch margins on all sides of the page.
Proofread paper: Points will not be deducted for minor spelling and grammatical errors, but major points will be deducted if I must struggle to understand your answers. Your paper must be very well organized. Yes! This is not an English course, but this is an upper division course and high-quality work is expected.
Sources: You will have to cite the 1 assigned reading. Please do not quote!
Style: Follow the proper rules of citing. You must use in-text citation (author year) and not footnotes. Please give credit to your sources and give proper citation. The proper citation includes a reference page. I will only accept the American Sociological Association, American Psychological Association Writing Style, and Chicago Writing Style. The purpose of the writing styles is just for citing and reference (no cover page needed).
This assignment should be written in an organized and coherent manner that completely answers the questions. Please complete the assignment in a new document.