Introduction • Begin with a clear and concise introduction that outlines the
purpose and scope of the assignment.
• Clearly define the specific topic you have chosen and its
overarching role in perpetuating inequality.
• Conduct a comprehensive literature review, citing three or more
reliable sources (apart from the textbook), to provide context
and background information related to your chosen topic and its
societal implications.
Discussion • Discuss the systemic inequalities associated with your chosen
topic, including disparities related to relevant institutions.
• Examine how the prevailing beliefs in fair treatment or other
factors obscure and justify these inequalities and shift blame
from the system to individuals.
• Explore the impact of your chosen topic on narratives of poverty
and wealth, class inequalities, racial biases, gender differences
or any other intersectional realities within different categories
that apply to your topic.
• What structural factors make it difficult to escape from the
disadvantaged position? What personal decisions are affected by
structural barriers?
• Link your analysis with narratives of prejudice and
discrimination and explain how they affect individuals or groups
(If applicable).
• Explain how the prevailing narratives around your chosen topic
contribute to the creation of a single story, referencing
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk, that defines and
disenfranchises disadvantaged individuals and social groups.
Conclusion • Summarize the main findings of your analysis and discuss their
implications for society.
• Provide insights and recommendations for addressing structural
inequality related to your chosen topic and for challenging the
master narrative of inequality.
Final
thoughts
• Finally, explain how the course helped you understand the
complex experiences of marginalized people and helped you see
things/situations differently. What have you learned?
• How does ‘thinking like a sociologist’ change one’s perception
of inequality?
• How do you plan to apply what you’ve learned as an emerging
social scientist or do your field of study?
Some sources you can use: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story (https://youtu.be/D9Ihs241zeg)
• Shawn McEntee: Writing like a sociologist
(http://faculty.salisbury.edu/~sxmcentee/writing-sociologist_print.html)
Stuber, Jenny M. 2021. Exploring inequality: A sociological approach. Thousand Oaks, CA:
Sage.