ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW
In this course, we will learn sociological concepts that help you to think critically about consumer culture. Early on in the semester, you will pick a consumer culture case-study (meat, fashion, or cellphones), and write about this case in two phases.
Phase 1. Documenting the Problem and Identifying Solutions
Requirement: 1 page (300-350 words)
Minimum citations required: 2 academically credible websites and/or academic sources
In Phase 1, pick a specific consumer topic (meat, fashion, or cellphones) and answer this question: How does this consumer topic constitute a social and/or environmental problem? Describe the various elements of the problem and how it impacts the environment and/or the issue’s various stakeholders. Add at least a sentence or two that makes some kind of personal connection to the problem. (e.g., if you buy a lot of clothing, you might talk about how the issue of fast fashion impacts your environmental footprint.)
Next, explore and identify some of the solutions that experts have suggested are useful to address this problem and think about their effectiveness. Focus on the social and/or the environmental dimensions of the problem that you researched
Notes that phase 1 requires that you do some research, so make sure you are using academically credible sources.
You must cite a minimum of two credible websites or academic sources. Use the Sociology department citation guide to properly cite your sources.
Consumer TOPICS
Pick ONE case-study for your reflection paper from the following list of topics and relate your topic to CONSUMER CULTURE throughout the assignment.
Meat
Phones
Fashion
TIP: I recommend that you look at the assigned textbook to see how your topic is discussed: Meat (Ch. 2/3), Phones (Ch. 9), and Fashion (Ch. 1/11). The textbook can be cited, but it does not count towards the minimum citations required for your submissions.
GOAL: Combine Personal Reflection with Research and Analysis:
In this paper, you will make reflexive and critical connections between sociological concepts, social/environmental problems, and your own consumption preferences and habits. This assignment combines personal reflection with academic analysis and research. When you are doing your research, please be wary of dubious internet sources and sketchy online information. I recommend that you consult with a research librarian and look at the list of suggested resources. You can also consult the assigned readings for this course, but they won’t count towards the required, minimum number of citations. Technical Details
Make sure you use academic language and proper spelling. Please submit a well proof-read piece of writing. Submit a Microsoft Word file only (not a PDF). An electronic copy must be submitted on the course website.
Citations standards and plagiarism
You must properly reference citations in your essay using ASA citation style. A reflection paper that lacks academic citations, or uses non-credible research sources, is considered sub-standard.
Please consult the UTM citation guide; the guide is included on the UTM Sociology webpage under “resources for students”. Referencing means both in-text citations AND a reference page. Whatever you cite in your paper should be in the reference page. Use in-text / parenthetical citations (i.e., citing the author, year, page number in brackets), and connect specific ideas to specific authors and page numbers.
Make sure that your paraphrasing is not plagiarizing, and be sure to include specific page number references. Please don’t “forget” to use quotation marks; this is not a valid excuse for plagiarizing. Review this document on “how not to plagiarize”: http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize
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