Sociology of Contemporary Society SOC3SOC

ANALYTIC JOURNAL # 2

Key Task Requirements

For the second journal, you are required to write a critical analysis focused oncritiquingan argument or theory from the required readings of Module 2 or Module 3 (Weeks 4-11).

In this journal, you willcritiquean argument or theory byanalysing, judging, responding to and evaluatingit in relation to themes, topics and issues covered in this subject.

You can start with a brief introduction and summary of the argument/theory, but do not make this the focus of your journal; the main content of this journal should be allocated to explaining, expanding and evidencing your critical analysis.

For this journal, you are encouraged to identify a core critical perspective or point of view that you can expand into a complex analytical argument, explain in-depth and support with evidence. Per the grading criteria, journal #2 will be assessed on your critique's analytical and academic quality rather than the number of critiques you identify/make.

You are required to undertake additional research for this journal and use aminimumof 4 academic sources. This research should inform your critique, i.e., ensure your arguments meet academic conventions and standards by supporting them with theory and evidence.

Your evidence must include academic literature, but you can also point to real-world examples (something in the news, popular culture, the arts, etc) that illustrate your insights. Additionally, you can construct your argument by applying the theory to a real-world example that enables you to draw out a critical analysis and critique.

What is a Critique?

A critique is a systematic way of objectively reviewing a theory/argument to highlight its strengths and weaknesses and its applicability/value for sociological analysis. A critical analysis does not have to be negative, but it will typically have a position or point of view.

Perspectives that might be considered in a critique What are the strengths and limitations? Are there important factors or issues it overlooks? How well does the theory account for the issue it aims to describe/ analyse? Are there alternative theories or explanations that offer a more compelling account of these issues? - What can it not explain?

Please note these are just examples of questions thatcanbe addressed in a critique,nota suggested journal layout. If you use these questions as a guide to generate ideas, please remember to focus on developing an in-depth analysis and identifying implications related to themes covered in SOC3SOC.

Additional questions and prompts in the Week 7 block can be used to generate ideas for this assessment.

Referencing Instructions for Journal #2

• Journal #2 requires you to usea minimumof fouracademicAt leastone of your references must be a reading from SOC3SOC Weeks 4-11.
• You can use newspapers, blogs, magazines, etc. if you want to apply your critique to a real-world example or use these to evidence your arguments, but theydo notcount toward the minimum academic referencing requirements. The instructions for using non-academic sources inJournal #1 also apply to Journal #2.

Preparing for Journal #2

• Again, the tip sheet linked in the resources section of this page expands these instructions and has advice and guidance for writing sociological analysis.
• Throughout the Week 4-7 tutorials,we will apply and discuss existing critiques of theories from the readings. These tutorials can be very beneficial in generating ideas and developing any ideas you may already have for journal #2.
• The tutorials in Week 5will cover the core skills of critiquing academic theories and arguments and provide various approaches to developing a critical analytical argument.

Readings

• Adorno, T. (1975).Culture industry reconsidered. New German Critique, (6). 12-19.
  • Becker, H.S. (1982).Art worlds. (pp. 1-14).PDF here
  • Prior, N. (2013).Bourdieu and the sociology of music consumption: A critical assessment of recent developments.Sociology Compass, 7(3), 181193.https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12020
  • Bourdieu, P. (2012).Distinction: A social critique of the judgement of taste.(pp. xxiv-xxx). Routledge.
  • James, S. (2018).Metaphysical sociology: On the work of John Carroll. (pp1-5, pp. 13-23). Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Alexander, J.C. (2012).Trauma: A social theory. (pp.9-12). Polity.
  • Illouz, E. (2012).Why love hurts: A sociological explanation. (pp. 9-23). Polity.