SOCI 1001S Rough Draft Essay Worksheet This Worksheet is designed to help you better understand the three sociological perspectives and social institutions, and to help you organize your thoughts for writing your Final Essay, due in Week 6. As you complete each section, keep in mind that you will be transferring and expanding upon this information in your Week 6 Final Essay assignment. Compare and contrast each of the three major sociological perspectives (functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism) discussed in Unit 1 of the Interactive Units. Be sure to address the similarities and differences between each of the three perspectives. Note: When looking for similarities, consider what matches in the perspectives, or theories. How are these things similar to each other? If you took notes while you were reading, you would be able to review those and look for paired concepts. The three main theoretical perspectives in sociology are functionalism, conflict as well as symbolic interaction. Each theoretical perspective offers vital viewpoints that help people to identify, analyze as well as troubleshoot social problems. On the other hand, the three theoretical perspectives are different from each other in various ways. Functionalists examine the functions and dysfunctions of family and marriage life (Durkheim, 2014). Also, they examine how they are associated with other parts of society. Conflicts theorists focus on inequality in family and marriage, mainly unequal power between men and women. On the other hand, symbolic interactionist examines the contrasting experiences as well as the perspectives of husbands and wives in the marriage. Select and state one social institution (education, family, or government, as discussed in Unit 1 of the Interactive Units) to analyze. Identify and discuss a social issue or problem related to the social institution. Note: Pick a social institution that you would enjoy exploring and reflecting upon. For example, if you are a parent experiencing the challenges of raising a teen, you could write about the social institution of the family. There are various social problems that affect families. Marriage related issues such as divorce, polygamy issues are the main social problems in the family. Also, violence-related issues such as violence, a crime against children and women also affect the stability of a family. Write three small paragraphs (2-3 sentences each)—one for each sociological perspective—in which you describe your chosen social institution from the perspectives of functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism. For each paragraph, refer to at least one specific example from the Interactive Units or Required Resources to support your statements. In other words, support your ideas with evidence by connecting them to Interactive Unit content; the Resources; or something that you have read, heard, seen, or experienced. Cite your sources. Acceptable citations include “According to the Sta.

1. SOCI 1001S Rough Draft Essay Worksheet
This Worksheet is designed to help you better understand the
three sociological perspectives and social institutions, and to
help you organize your thoughts for writing your Final Essay,
due in Week 6. As you complete each section, keep in mind that
you will be transferring and expanding upon this information in
your Week 6 Final Essay assignment.
Compare and contrast each of the three major sociological
perspectives (functionalism, conflict, and symbolic
interactionism) discussed in Unit 1 of the Interactive Units. Be
sure to address the similarities and differences between each of
the three perspectives.
Note: When looking for similarities, consider what matches in
the perspectives, or theories. How are these things similar to
each other? If you took notes while you were reading, you
would be able to review those and look for paired concepts.
The three main theoretical perspectives in sociology are
functionalism, conflict as well as symbolic interaction. Each
theoretical perspective offers vital viewpoints that help people
to identify, analyze as well as troubleshoot social problems. On
the other hand, the three theoretical perspectives are different
from each other in various ways. Functionalists examine the
functions and dysfunctions of family and marriage life
(Durkheim, 2014). Also, they examine how they are associated
with other parts of society. Conflicts theorists focus on
inequality in family and marriage, mainly unequal power
between men and women. On the other hand, symbolic
interactionist examines the contrasting experiences as well as
the perspectives of husbands and wives in the marriage.
Select and state one social institution (education, family, or
government, as discussed in Unit 1 of the Interactive Units) to
analyze. Identify and discuss a social issue or problem related

2. to the social institution.
Note: Pick a social institution that you would enjoy exploring
and reflecting upon. For example, if you are a parent
experiencing the challenges of raising a teen, you could write
about the social institution of the family.
There are various social problems that affect families. Marriage
related issues such as divorce, polygamy issues are the main
social problems in the family. Also, violence-related issues such
as violence, a crime against children and women also affect the
stability of a family.
Write three small paragraphs (2-3 sentences each)—one for each
sociological perspective—in which you describe your chosen
social institution from the perspectives of functionalism,
conflict, and symbolic interactionism. For each paragraph, refer
to at least one specific example from the Interactive Units or
Required Resources to support your statements. In other words,
support your ideas with evidence by connecting them to
Interactive Unit content; the Resources; or something that you
have read, heard, seen, or experienced. Cite your sources.
Acceptable citations include “According to the Stanford Social
Institutions website…”, “According to a January 5, 2015 article
in the New York Times…”, and “According to Unit 1 in the
Interactive Units…”
For more information on how to use evidence in an essay,
please review the Walden Writing Center’s material on using
evidence:
http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/evidence
Functionalist theory perceive social structure as a system of
uniqueness that holds natural laws govern society. For example,
a functionalist will take a look at social interactions on a much
larger scale.
The conflict perspective specifies that challenges to social
norms are caused by the inequalities within social structures.
For example, the disparity of power, as well as wealth, causes

3. conflict in modern society.
Symbolic interactionism uses qualitative measures to focus on
the micro-levels of social structures. For example, symbolic
interactionist study communication between individuals and the
creation and symbols’ interpretation used in communication.
Create a rough draft of an introduction and conclusion you
might use in your Final Essay. State your thesis statement
clearly in each and support that thesis with three main points.
The introduction and conclusion should mirror each other but
contain fresh language. In other words, the conclusion should
not be a word-for-word restatement of the introduction or the
thesis.
Introduction
The three main theoretical perspectives in sociology are
functionalism, conflict as well as symbolic interaction.
Functionalist theory perceive social structure as a system of
uniqueness that holds natural laws govern society (Durkheim,
2014). The conflict perspective specifies that challenges to
social norms are caused by the inequalities within social
structures. Symbolic interactionism uses qualitative measures to
focus on the micro-levels of social structures.
Conclusion
It is important to understand all the three sociological
perspective functionalism, conflict theory as well as symbolic
interactionism to have insight on the cause and effect of
behaviors from society and individuals at large.
References
Durkheim, E. (2014). The rules of sociological method: and
selected texts on sociology and its

4. method. Simon and Schuster.
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