Social Norms Assignment | Online Homework Help

3. What are social norms? How do they shape behaviour? Give examples from everyday life2.4.2 Essay: From set questions on an aspect of contemporary social life
Weight: 40%
Type of Collaboration: Individual

Submission: Essays must be submitted to Turnitin (accessed through vUWS) by the due date and
time.
Format: Students should ensure that they list the question they are answering at the top of their
essay. The essay should consist of an introduction, body and conclusion, and reference
list. All essay submissions should be typed in a 12 point font (Arial or Times New
Roman) and feature double spacing.
Length: 1,500 words
Curriculum Mode: Essay
Students are to choose ONE of the following questions to answer in their essay:
1. Explain Mills’ ’sociological imagination’. Why is this concept considered foundational in sociology?
2. Explain ’social construction’. How might gender or nationality be understood as a social construction in contemporary
Australia?
3. What are social norms? How do they shape behaviour? Give examples from everyday life.
4. What is a social institution? What role do social institutions like the family or education play in socialisation?
5. Compare and contrast two of the following: functionalism, conflict theory or symbolic interactionism. How do
they view the relationship between individuals and society?
To complete the task, students should follow these steps:
1. Identify the key components of the question you have chosen. What is it asking you to do? What are the key
words or concepts and theories that it refers to?
2. Consider what information is needed to successfully answer the question. As a start, think about the online
weekly modules or set readings that are most relevant and review those materials. Bear in mind you will need
to go beyond these (and you need to focus on published materials in your essay, so the set readings should be
given preference over lecture pods/online materials).
3. Begin researching your chosen topic. Use the library databases to identify other academic sources. If you are
not sure how to do this seek some support from library staff.
4. Take notes on the readings you complete, being sure to distinguish between your summaries/paraphrasing and
any direct quotes. (Be sure to review the guides to referencing in vUWS if you are not clear on this).
5. Having obtained relevant information to answer the question, draft an essay plan that considers how you might
structure your essay. Resources on essay planning are available in vUWS.
6. Commence drafting your essay. Keep coming back to your essay plan to check that you are still on track as
you do so.
7. Re-read and refine your essay. As you do so, ask yourself: ’does this answer the question’? ’Are the points
I am making, and the significance of them clear’? ’Are the connections between points, particularly between
paragraphs, clear’?
8. Check your essay for spelling and/or grammatical errors.
9. You might consider having someone else proof read your work. If you opt to do this, to avoid potential for
collusion, that person should not be from this unit. The library offers support with this if you don’t have anyone
at home that you can ask.
10. Ensure that your referencing is accurate and submit to Turnitin to allow for plenty of time for reviewing the
Turnitin report.
11. Once complete, submit your final version of the essay to Turnitin by the due date and time.
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Assignments will be marked online and returned to students via vUWS My Grades. Do not submit a Cover Sheet
with your assignment.
Exemplar:
Resources:
Students should base their essays on the reading completed for the unit, and additional research and reading of
relevant academic publications (e.g. books, book chapters, journal articles). A minimum of 5 academic references
are needed to complete this task. At least two of these should come from sources other than the set readings.
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Marking Criteria:
Your essay will be assessed on the criteria listed below. A full rubric, which makes clear how each criteria is weighted,
can be found on vUWS.
– Answers the question
The essay should be based on relevant material and demonstrate your capacity to develop a sociological argument in
response to the question. Make sure that each of your points responds to the question and supports your argument.
A good approach is to continue to ask yourself after each point ’So what?’ (i.e. what is the significance of this?).
– Theoretical and Conceptual Understanding
Make sure you demonstrate that you understand the central concepts used. You can do this either by giving definitions
(do this only with difficult or very important technical words) or by using the concepts in such a way that
demonstrates that you know what they mean. Make sure you talk about these concepts in tutorials – ask if they
mean what you think they mean.
– Structure
The essay should be clearly organised so that it develops an argument. You must have an introductory paragraph
that states the aim of the essay and outlines the structure of the argument. The points made in one paragraph should
follow on from the previous paragraph and lead into the next one. You should have a conclusion that summarises
your main points.
– Expression
Clear expression is an important part of a clear argument. Attention to grammar, syntax and style will assist in
clarifying what you are endeavouring to say to the reader. Try reading it aloud or ask someone to read it for you.
Spelling and punctuation are also important. You should use a dictionary (and your spell check and/or grammarly)
regularly.
– Research
You need to ensure that you locate sufficient sources to support your argument. Search the library databases for
references that can be used in addition to your set readings.
– Referencing
Use the Harvard system of referencing as described in the links on vUWS. Make sure you reference both direct quotes
and when you use other people’s ideas. You also must provide a reference list at the end of your essay. Finally make
sure that you use Turnitin to help check your referencing prior to submission.
– Originality
Go further than the lectures and set readings. Critical thinking will be rewarded.
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