Reference no: EM132724176 , Length: 7

For this paper, you are to read the books Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism by Anne Case and Angus Deaton, and Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America by Linda Tirado. In a 5-7 page paper, you are to employ your sociological imaginations and critically analyze the major themes of each book, and you are to compare and contrast those themes with each other, as well as the course material. More specifically, using explicit and concrete examples, you are to identify and expound on at least two separate themes from each book - and at least one theme that the books have in common - and using the intersecting concepts of biography, society, and history, discuss how they play out in American society (and/or have played out throughout American history). While discussing your various themes, be explicit about how they are similar and dissimilar between the two books. Your paper should consist of a summary of each book, as well as a sociological analysis of the various themes presented throughout. Finally, your paper must reference at least TWO topics we discussed in class (you have complete autonomy here, you can choose race, stratification, gender, culture, work, politics, etc.). Explicit thematic examples are required in order to receive full credit here. Papers should be double-spaced with 12-pt Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins. You need to incorporate at lease 3-5 outside sources that are relevant to your topic.

Assignment Objectives:

Question 1: Demonstrate reading comprehension and writing proficiency at the university level.

Question 2: Demonstrate an understanding of, and be able to apply, the sociological imagination.

Question 3: Demonstrate your ability to extract and think critically about sociological concepts in the real world.

Question 4: Demonstrate your ability to understand, summarize, and analyze a piece of academic literature.