UNIT 1 (1-2 PAGES) According to sociologist C. Wright Mills, people often believe that their private lives can only be explained in terms of their personal successes and failures. Individuals fail to see the links between their own lives and the larger society around them. The process of interpreting your individual life in the context of your community or the society in which you live is called sociological imagination . Choose 1 of the following social problems: Being unemployed and the impact of unemployment on the individual and society Being an alcoholic and the broader impact of alcoholism on the individual and society Being a drug addict and the broader impact of drug addiction on the individual and society Being an unmarried pregnant teenager and the impact that unmarried teen pregnancy has on the individual and society Being a homeless person and the broader issue of poverty in society Using your sociological imagination, discuss the connection between the individual experience and the social impact of the social problem that you chose. Please submit your assignment. For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials. Please refer to the following multimedia course material(s): Unit 1: Introduction to Sociology Unit 1: Theoretical Perspectives and Free Choice Unit 1: Social Problems Unit 1: Sociology Unit 1: Introduction to Sociology Grading Rubric Submission addresses content requirements 30% Evidenced critical thinking and connection to real-world and assignment scenario applicability 40% Justified ideas and responses by using appropriate examples and references from texts, Web sites, and other references or personal experience 20% Adherence to assignment deadlines, length requirement, correct spelling and proper grammar, and properly formatted per APA style 10% This assignment will also be assessed using additional criteria provided  here . UNIT 2 (2-3 PAGES) Complete the following in preparation for your assignment: Select a movie or TV show that effectively communicates the culture, values, and norms of a society that is different from your own culture.   The movie or TV should meet the following requirements: Must be a foreign film with subtitles Provide you with a glimpse of what life is like in another culture The process of watching this movie or TV show should provide you with a unique cultural experience. Watch the movie or TV show that you selected, and use your reactions as part of your response to the following topic: Define  ethnocentrism . Discuss how ethnocentrism affects individuals and societies. Write a paper of 2–3 pages addressing the following: Provide a comprehensive overview of the concept of ethnocentrism. Use your cultural experience of watching the selected movie or TV show to discuss the effect of ethnocentrism on individuals and societies. Use any personal experiences that you may have had visiting different countries around the world as part of this pa.

1. UNIT 1 (1-2 PAGES)
According to sociologist C. Wright Mills, people often believe
that their private lives can only be explained in terms of their
personal successes and failures. Individuals fail to see the links
between their own lives and the larger society around them. The
process of interpreting your individual life in the context of
your community or the society in which you live is called
sociological imagination
.
Choose 1 of the following social problems:
Being unemployed and the impact of unemployment on the
individual and society
Being an alcoholic and the broader impact of alcoholism on the
individual and society
Being a drug addict and the broader impact of drug addiction on
the individual and society
Being an unmarried pregnant teenager and the impact that
unmarried teen pregnancy has on the individual and society
Being a homeless person and the broader issue of poverty in
society
Using your sociological imagination, discuss the connection
between the individual experience and the social impact of the
social problem that you chose.
Please submit your assignment.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web
resources, and all course materials. Please refer to the following
multimedia course material(s):
Unit 1: Introduction to Sociology
Unit 1: Theoretical Perspectives and Free Choice
Unit 1: Social Problems
Unit 1: Sociology
Unit 1: Introduction to Sociology
Grading Rubric
Submission addresses content requirements

2. 30%
Evidenced critical thinking and connection to real-world and
assignment scenario applicability
40%
Justified ideas and responses by using appropriate examples and
references from texts, Web sites, and other references or
personal experience
20%
Adherence to assignment deadlines, length requirement, correct
spelling and proper grammar, and properly formatted per APA
style
10%
This assignment will also be assessed using additional criteria
provided
here
.
UNIT 2 (2-3 PAGES)
Complete the following in preparation for your assignment:
Select a movie or TV show that effectively communicates the
culture, values, and norms of a society that is different from
your own culture.
The movie or TV should meet the following requirements:
Must be a foreign film with subtitles
Provide you with a glimpse of what life is like in another
culture
The process of watching this movie or TV show should provide
you with a unique cultural experience.
Watch the movie or TV show that you selected, and use your
reactions as part of your response to the following topic:
Define
ethnocentrism
. Discuss how ethnocentrism affects individuals and societies.
Write a paper of 2–3 pages addressing the following:

3. Provide a comprehensive overview of the concept of
ethnocentrism.
Use your cultural experience of watching the selected movie or
TV show to discuss the effect of ethnocentrism on individuals
and societies.
Use any personal experiences that you may have had visiting
different countries around the world as part of this paper;
however, do not let your personal experiences with other
cultures be the focal point of this paper.
The focal point of the paper is your cultural experience
watching the selected movie or TV show and your
comprehensive overview of the concept of ethnocentrism.
Please note that this paper is not intended to be a summary of
the movie or TV show.
This paper is not a book review or overview of the movie or TV
show you selected.
Focus on the cultural observations that you are able to make
based on this experience and your discussion of the concept of
ethnocentrism.
Please submit your assignment.
The following rubric will be used for grading:
Grading Rubric
Submission addresses content requirements
30%
Evidenced critical thinking and connection to real-world and
assignment scenario applicability
40%
Justified ideas and responses by using appropriate examples and
references from texts, Web sites, and other references or
personal experience
20%
Adherence to assignment deadlines, length requirement, correct
spelling and proper grammar, and properly formatted per APA
style
10%

4. UNIT 3 (2-3 PAGES)
In many cities throughout the United States, the prevalence of
hate crimes has increased. You have been asked to provide your
insight into this and recommend ways to decrease the
occurrence of these types of crimes.
Research the topic of hate crimes and address the following:
Create a profile of the typical individual who commits hate
crimes.
Who are some targets or victims of hate crimes?
What are some of the causes and effects of these crimes?
What actions can be taken to minimize the occurrence of hate
crimes?
Please submit your assignment.
The following rubric will be used for grading:
Grading Rubric
Submission addresses content requirements
30%
Evidenced critical thinking and connection to real-world and
assignment scenario applicability
40%
Justified ideas and responses by using appropriate examples and
references from texts, Web sites, and other references or
personal experience
20%
Adherence to assignment deadlines, length requirement, correct
spelling and proper grammar, and properly formatted per APA
style
10%
UNIT 4 (3-5 PAGES)

5. The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online
learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment
requires the active participation of students and the instructor to
create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is
expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB
question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts
created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit,
DB participation will be assessed based on both level of
engagement and the quality of the contribution to the
discussion.
At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original
and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to
the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts
from students. The first contribution must be posted before
midnight (Central Time) on Wednesday of each week. Two
additional responses are required after Wednesday of each
week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the
Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the
university tracks class attendance and participation.
The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to
learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to
course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible
to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended,
no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.
A. Questions for weekly discussions and conversations (not part
of the required Discussion Board assignment)
These questions can serve as the starting point for your
discussions during the week. They are “thought starters,” so that
you can explore some ideas associated with the Discussion
Board and unit topics. Answers are not required, and they
should not be submitted with your required assignment.
Answers are not graded.
What is the definition of social change? What does social
change mean to you in your daily life? Do you think about
social change on a daily basis? How can an understanding and
awareness of social change impact your daily life?

6. Can social change directly impact or change a culture? Can you
provide an example of how social change in the United States
brought about large-scale social changes? Can you provide an
example of how social change in the United States brought
about a change in your life?
B. Required Discussion Board assignment.
Answer the following questions regarding social change:
How do you think life in the United States will change in the
next 10 years?
How might technology be involved or effect social change in
American culture?
How do you think sociologists might use the Internet to study
culture and social change in the United States?
In your own words, please post a response to the Discussion
Board and comment on other postings. You will be graded on
the quality of your postings.
The following rubric will be used for grading:
Grading Rubric
Initial response to the DB question
35%
Evidenced additional research supporting the student's response
to the DB question
35%
Comments on other students' postings that serve to further the
discussion, apply real-world examples, or lend to enhancing the
clarity of the concepts
20%
Adherence to assignment deadlines, length requirement, correct
spelling and proper grammar, and properly formatted per APA
style
10%
UNIT 4 PT 2 (1-2 PAGES)
Sociologists cite the weakening of the family as one of the
causes for some of the problems that American society faces

7. today. Do you agree? In your paper, include the following
information:
Identify important or significant changes in families since 1960.
What factors are responsible for this change?
On the balance, are families becoming weaker or simply
different in society? What evidence can you cite?
If you agree that the family has become weaker in American
society, what proposals do you have to strengthen the family?
If you disagree and believe that the family has become stronger
in American culture in recent decades, please explain why.
Please submit your assignment.
The following rubric will be used for grading:
Grading Rubric
Submission addresses content requirements
30%
Evidenced critical thinking and connection to real-world and
assignment scenario applicability
40%
Justified ideas and responses by using appropriate examples and
references from texts, Web sites, and other references or
personal experience
20%
Adherence to assignment deadlines, length requirement, correct
spelling and proper grammar, and properly formatted per APA
style
10%
UNIT 5 (2-3 PAGES)
The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online
learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment
requires the active participation of students and the instructor to
create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is
expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB
question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts
created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit,
DB participation will be assessed based on both level of

8. engagement and the quality of the contribution to the
discussion.
At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original
and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to
the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts
from students. The first contribution must be posted before
midnight (Central Time) on Wednesday of each week. Two
additional responses are required after Wednesday of each
week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the
Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the
university tracks class attendance and participation.
The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to
learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to
course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible
to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended,
no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.
A. Questions for weekly discussions and conversations (not part
of the required Discussion Board assignment)
These questions can serve as the starting point for your
discussions during the week. They are “thought starters,” so that
you can explore some ideas associated with the Discussion
Board and unit topics. Answers are not required, and they
should not be submitted with your required assignment.
Answers are not graded.
Why would researchers want to study the gender, race, and
ethnicity of individuals in American prisons? What would
researchers hope to learn from this type of study?
How can American society benefit from a study such as this that
examines the gender, race, and ethnicity of individuals in
American prisons? How can the results of this type of study
benefit U.S. culture on a large scale?
B. Required Discussion Board assignment.
For this assignment, you will make a posting of 2–3 paragraphs
to the Discussion Board in which you must answer the following
questions:
What are some potential

9. methods of researching the gender, race, and ethnicity of
individuals in American prisons?
Specifically, what are ways in which the gender, race, and
ethnicity of individuals in American prisons could be studied
using interpretative and critical frameworks?
What would you change, and why?
What different types of information or data would you likely
obtain using this research process?
In your own words, please post a response to the Discussion
Board and comment on other postings. You will be graded on
the quality of your postings.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web
resources, and all course materials. Please refer to the following
multimedia course material(s):
Unit 5: Research in Sociology
Unit 5: The Science of Sociology Research
Unit 5: Conducting Research
Unit 5: Sociology Information Flow
The following rubric will be used for grading:
Grading Rubric
Initial response to the DB question
35%
Evidenced additional research supporting the student's response
to the DB question
35%
Comments on other students' postings that serve to further the
discussion, apply real-world examples, or lend to enhancing the
clarity of the concepts
20%
Adherence to assignment deadlines, length requirement, correct
spelling and proper grammar, and properly formatted per APA
style
10%

10. UNIT 5 GROUP PROJECT
A corporation in the United States is about to expand its
business globally. As part of this expansion, it will begin to sell
its products in Europe and Asia. In addition, it plans to open a
manufacturing plant in Asia. The president and chief executive
officer (CEO) is concerned; he has heard many stories of
companies that have tried to expand globally, but operations
either failed miserably or did not live up to expectations
because of the cultural differences.
The CEO has asked your group to research problems that other
corporations have had with the process of expanding globally
and develop a plan to avoid these types of intercultural errors
and missteps.
As a group, you will select a multinational corporation or
international nonprofit agency that has encountered these
problems (this can be a previous or current employer of yours).
Using the Internet and the library, each individual in the group
will research the corporation or organization to discover any
cultural barriers that the corporation or organization
encountered as it attempted to expand globally.
Please note that this assignment has both a group component
and an individual assignment.
Group Component
As a group, generate and evaluate reasons why people may not
appreciate the cultural point of view of others. Each individual
in the group should use at least 5 resources or materials
(citations). Note that 3 of the 5 citations may come from the
textbook.
As a group, discuss how appreciating cultural diversity affects
peoples' ability to communicate effectively in the context of a
multinational corporation or an international nonprofit agency.
Feel free to add your own experiences as well as quoting others.

11. Please share the resources, materials, and citations that you find
and collect on the small group Discussion Board.
Individual Assignment
Each individual in the group should create and submit his or her
own paper of 2–3 pages.
Each individual paper should summarize the group discussions
and provide suggestions regarding the steps that the company
can take and policies that can be put in place to help ensure that
the company's expansion is successful. Each individual can
draw from the resources and materials shared on the small group
Discussion Board in the process of developing their individual
paper. Each individual paper should contain at least 5
references, with at least 3 sociological references that may
include the course textbook materials.
Please add your file.
The following rubrics will be used for grading:
IP Grading Rubric
Evidenced participation in the small group
20%
Submission addresses individual content requirements
30%
Evidenced critical thinking and connection to real-world and
assignment scenario applicability
20%
Justified ideas and responses by using appropriate examples and
references from texts, Web sites, and other references or
personal experience
20%
Adherence to assignment deadlines, length requirement, correct
spelling and proper grammar, and properly formatted per APA
style
10%