Evaluate how theories of modernity, postmodernity, and globalization explain the relationship
between the individual and society evaluate responses to global social change and how those responses relate to perceptions and
practices of global citizenship Option 1: Globalization
Explore this link: http://www.infed.org/biblio/globalization.htm
In this assignment, you will examine the impact of multinational corporations on a specific country or
region, using theories of modernization and postmodernization to illustrate major points.
Choose a specific country or region and examine the benefits and drawbacks of globalization in that area.
Consider the many impacts of globalization, such as on the environment, on cultural cohesion and
conflict, and on the economic conditions of different segments of the population.
You can find abundant resources on globalization on the Web and in journals such as Foreign
Affairs and The Economist. Your role is to give a thoughtful analysis of the impact of globalization on the
country or region that you have chosen.
Once you have reviewed and made notes on all the resources relevant to your topic, draft an outline of
your paper and then write it in your own words, consulting your notes only when you need to find the
correct data or statistic. Quotations should make up no more than 10 percent of your paper.
Turn in your paper in hard copy and digital format. Include a bibliography of paper and Web resources
that you have consulted. Option 2: Case Examples Based on Theory
In this assignment, you will apply sociological theory to a current or historical event or issue.
1. Choose a current or historical event (you may find this in a newspaper or news magazine story)
or issue (homelessness, immigration, national security, poverty, education, women’s rights,
racism, etc.) that can be meaningfully explored through the application of sociological theory and
research. Once you have selected an event or issue, think about the theories that might apply to
it. For example, you might consider some of the following:
o social constructionism o symbolic interactionism o structural functionalism o conflict theory o globalization o McDonaldization You may choose one theory or several.
2. Once you have selected your event or issue and your theory or theories, write an introduction
presenting the thesis of your paper. That is, briefly introduce your event or issue and tell how the
theories help explain it.
3. Define your theories: Briefly discuss their origins and originator, if possible.
4. Give one or two examples of how theory can be applied to the event or issue. Does a theory help
to explain why the event occurred or why the issue has gained prominence? Does a theory help
to explain how to resolve a conflict that is occurring? Does a theory provide historical perspective
on the event or issue? Explain your answers and support your opinions by citing passages in the
course readings (or outside readings) that explain how the theories work and can be applied.
5. Write a conclusion predicting what will happen next based on the theories, or explaining how the
theories account for what did happen next (for a historical event). If neither of these fits with your
topic, write a conclusion that ties together the application of theory to the real world by discussing
how the theories you chose might be used to understand other events or issues. Choose only 1 of the 2 options for this assignment.
Paper must be in APA 6th edition format.
Paper must be 4 to 6 pages in length not including the title page and reference page.
