University of Maine Social Inequality in the Media Paper

PART A

Deviance is a violation of cultural norms, but not all deviant behavior is negative. A sociologist can examine deviant behavior through a theoretical perspective to try to understand its causes. A symbolic interactionist view would explain deviance as a product of social stratification. For example, people born into a lower economic class will have limited access to resources, such as education and income, so they are, therefore, more likely to end up in a life of crime and poverty.

Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:

• Give an example of a positive or negative deviant behavior that you have witnessed, either formal or informal. How did it violate social norms? How did you react? How did the people in the nearby social group react? (Please do not share incriminating or personal details.)
• How would a functionalist or conflict theorist explain the reasons for the deviant behavior?

PART B

Assignment Content

1. Watch 30 to 60 minutes of a production from current media that illustrates examples of social stratification and inequalities, such as a sitcom, drama, movie, or documentary. Examples include productions like Blackish, Sons of Anarchy, Family Guy, Empire, CSI, BlacKkKlansman, Chicago Fire, Orange is the New Black, NCIS, When They See Us, Pose, Game of Thrones, or Law & Order. Contact your instructor for approval if you are unsure if a certain media production fits the assignment.
3. Take notes while you watch to record examples of the behavior patterns that reflect social stratification and inequality.
5. Refer to the Reading Guide Deviance Social Stratification and Inequality document for more information on theoretical perspectives on these topics to assist with this assignment.
7. Write a 400- to 600-word paper in which you discuss the TV show or film as it relates to race, gender, and social class stratification. Include the following:

• Provide the name of the show or film you selected, as well as a brief summary of the plot and setting of the story.
• Identify and describe at least one example of social deviance that you observed. Which social structures or norms could have contributed to this act of deviance?
• Identify and describe at least two examples of sociological inequalities that you observed. Which social structures or norms could have contributed to these inequalities?
• Indicate the theoretical perspective—functionalist, conflict, or symbolic interactionist—that you would use to explain the social inequalities you observed. Explain your reasons for choosing this perspective.
• Make connections between the social stratification of class, race, and gender that you observed in the TV show or film, and the ways that it represents inequality in our society.

APA FORMAT

NO MAJOR GRAMMAR ISSUES

FOLLOW ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

BRIEF INTRO FOR PART B ONLY

NO PLAGIARISM