SECOND WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Introduction to Sociology - Spring 2008, J. Kessler

Due Friday, April 4th (in class and in turnitin.com)
 

For this writing assignment you will analyze, from a sociological perspective, the Ching-a-Ling motorcycle club as a deviant subculture in U.S. society. In order to complete the assignment, you must view the video “Road Warriors” (45-50 minutes). It will shown in class and place on reserve in the library.

1. Choose one of the three major sociological perspectives/paradigms on deviance (that is, functionalism, symbolic interaction, or social conflict), as they are presented in Chapter 9 of your text, to underpin your discussion.

2. Briefly (in no more than 125 words) define your chosen paradigm as it relates to deviance and social control.

3. Then use your chosen paradigm to frame your discussion of the Ching-a-Lings. If you like, you may use a particular theory that falls within your chosen paradigm to frame your discussion.

When constructing your paper, you might consider the following:

Ø       The Ching-a-Lings self-identify as “outlaws.”  Based on what you know about the group, and your knowledge of deviance from a sociological point of view, what factors might account for their choice to identify as such? Why might an individual choose to become a lifetime member of the Ching-a-Lings?

Ø       In what ways do the Ching-a-Lings’ social organization, norms, values, and gender roles contrast with – or reflect - mainstream society?

Ø       How do the behaviors and comments of some of the members (give examples) of the club provide insight into why the club exists, what purpose/s it serves, who benefits and who doesn’t, its significance in the context of larger U.S. society, and so forth.  How you respond to this will depend on your chosen paradigm.

Feel free to be creative in your analysis, as long as you use your chosen perspective appropriately to frame your arguments.

This paper is to be analytical, not descriptive. Please do not re-tell the story of the documentary. What I am interested in is your sociological analysis of the events and outcomes. Events from the story are to be used as examples to support your arguments.
 

This is a college-level writing assignment.  As such it is expected that your thoughts will be organized and your writing concise and clear, with close attention paid to proper grammar, syntax, and punctuation. Please refer to your first writing assignment to be sure you have not committed the same errors in this assignment. I will compare this paper to your first paper. If I do not see evidence of good faith effort to correct the errors noted on your first paper, your grade will be lowered. For those who scored low on the first writing assignment, please work with a writing tutor on this assignment.

Papers that do not adhere to the following instructions will not be accepted:

    The paper will be no shorter than 1.5 pages and no longer than 2 pages (2-sided printing), typed and    double-spaced, and written in essay format.

    No cover page - type your name on the first page of your paper.

    Use 11 or 12 point font in Times New Roman and standard default margins

    Submit your work to turnitin.com first, before submitting it to me in hard copy