This paper focuses on the following prompt: 1) Karl Marx’s central theory for explaining the form and structure of society is historical materialism (see “The German Ideology”). Write an essay that a) Defines historical-materialism, base and superstructure, and means and mode of production and b) Uses a historical-materialist perspective to examine how two social phenomena

Historical materialism

This assignment is worth 15% of your grade. Length: 5-6 pages, double spaced (not including works cited) Instructions: Choose one of the two following prompts and write a 5-6 page (full, double spaced) paper thoroughly answering all parts of the prompt. Your essay should demonstrate that you have read the required materials, understand the core course concepts, thought deeply about those concepts, and creatively applied them to your own experiences and/or current events. Definitions of key terms must be based on and cite where appropriate course texts and/or class lecture.

Historical materialism

Students should incorporate selective and judicious quoting and/or paraphrasing of relevant course readings, including primary texts from the theorist being discussed, Edles and Appelrouth’s summaries, and lecture. Examples in body paragraphs should be supported by empirical evidence derived from secondary sources (e.g., popular media reports, official websites, journal articles) and/or personal experience). Analyses should be your own, not adapted from published analyses by other people. All materials used should be properly cited (see below).

Historical materialism

Prompts: 1) Karl Marx’s central theory for explaining the form and structure of society is historical materialism (see “The German Ideology”). Write an essay that a) Defines historical-materialism, base and superstructure, and means and mode of production and b) Uses a historical-materialist perspective to examine how two social phenomena (i.e., elements of the superstructure) of your choosing (e.g., sports, racial inequality, or the gender division of labor) contribute to the reproduction of capitalism and the subordination of the proletariat.

Historical materialism

2) Max Weber theorized that bureaucratization was a key force driving the development of capitalist society (see “Bureaucracy” and “The Types of Legitimate Domination”), and George Ritzer extended Weber’s ideas through his concept of McDonaldization (see “A Introduction to McDonaldization”). Write an essay that a) Defines bureaucracy and bureaucratization, rationalization, and rational-legal authority, b) Discusses the positive and negative effects of bureaucratization and rationalization on the experiences of individuals engaging with bureaucratic organizations.

Historical materialism

c)Analyzes how one specific organization (e.g., FAU, the Department of Motor Vehicles) does and does not exhibit bureaucratic and rationalized qualities and how this positively and negatively impacts the people who engage with that organization. Formatting: Double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12 point font, Times New Roman font, no cover page, and label with just your name and the date in the top left corner of the first page. (This may require you to alter the default settings of your word processing program.) Papers should be given descriptive or evocative titles. Failure to follow formatting directions may result in a loss of points.

Historical materialism

Electronic copies should be in MS Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF. You may not submit .pages (Mac) files or links to Google docs. Citation: Students should employ proper citation practices following the standards set by the American Sociological Association as outlined in “ASA Quick Style Guide” (on Canvas in the Module Essay Writing). In the body of the text, all materials (course and secondary) should be cited using in-text (i.e., parenthetical) citation. Dr. Seeley’s lectures should be cited (Seeley DATE).

Historical materialism

A works cited page is required for all secondary materials not assigned for the course, including webpages; course materials and lectures do not need to appear in your works cited. Your works cited page does not count toward your minimum page count of 5 full pages. Failure to engage in proper citation practices will result in a loss of points. Egregious failures to engage in proper citation practices may be considered plagiarism. See the syllabus for a discussion of the penalties for academic misconduct.  https://youtu.be/_AvvqDk-hME

Attached Files

Download  |