This paper requires you to apply two theoretical perspectives to a current event from the fairly recent past. Posted below, along with these guidelines, is an article that discusses The Occupy Wall Street Movement, “‘We Showed It Was Possible To Create A Movement From Almost Nothing’: Occupy Wall Street 10 Years On,” by Andrew Anthony, printed by The Guardian. Using this article as your primary source, I want you to provide analyses of this protest movement from both the Neo-Marxist and Structural Functionalist perspectives.
Your paper should include the following 4 separate sections:
Part 1: Introduction: Provide a short summary of the main points from the article, as well as several sentences where you introduce how you will be analyzing the materials from the article based on the perspective of these two theories. This section should be between ¾ of a page to 1 page in length.
Part 2: Structural Functionalist Analysis: From the perspective of Structural Functionalism, primarily based on the work of Robert Merton, present an analysis of this protest movement, using materials from the article. Be sure to begin by defining Structural Functionalism. This section should be 1 ½ to 2 pages in length.
Part 3: Neo-Marxist Analysis: From the perspective of Neo-Marxism, based on the work of either Gramsci or Marcuse, present an analysis of the information in the article. Be sure to begin by defining Neo-Marxism and how it contrasts with Structural Functionalism. This section should be 1 ½ to 2 pages in length.
Part 4: Conclusion: As a conclusion to your paper, I want you to choose which theoretical perspective seems to best explain the dynamics addressed in the article on this contemporary protest movement. You should be able to give multiple reasons based on your own reading of the article and the theories. This section should be between ½ to 1 page in length.
Your paper should be no more than 1,500 words (approx. 5 pages, 12-point font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, and double-spaced). Please make sure to include your paper’s word count somewhere on the first page of your paper. While your grade will be based primarily on your content and the strength of your analysis, organization, and grammar will also be part of your grade. If you use only class materials, there is no need for a bibliography. However, be sure to use parenthetical documentation for any references to readings, i.e. (Merton 60), or (Anthony 2021) for the article, or (Barnes 2024) for the lecture.