Reference no: EM132428834

Reflection 1: Social Location and Social Inequality

SUMMARY

• In this reflection, you will analyze how your social location impacts your perspectives about social inequality. Social location refers to the groups to which people belong because of their place or position in history and society. All people have a social location that is defined by characteristics such as their geographic location, race, ethnicity, gender, social class/socioeconomic status, family structure, religion, sexual orientation, age, and mental and physical abilities. One's social location confers a certain set of social roles and rules, power, and privilege (or lack of) - factors that heavily influence our identity and how we see the world 
• There are four parts to this assignment, described below. You do not need to cite anyone or any other sources - this writing assignment is based on your thoughts and biography. Your paper should be 3-4 double-spaced pages in length; however, feel free to write more if you are so inclined. See additional formatting requirements below.

DIRECTIONS

PART I

• Using the following questions to guide your thinking, broadly define "social inequality" in your own words and comment on your tolerance for inequality.

1. How would you define social inequality? What "is" it? That is, what would be included in a measure of social inequality?
2. What is the most challenging part of forming your own definition?
3. What do you think about social inequality? That is, from your perspective, at what point is there too much or too little inequality? Does your thinking align more with the conservative thesis or radical antithesis categorization?

PART II Answers are attached

1. Describe your social location by providing detailed responses to the following questions. Write this in narrative, biographic form using full sentences and paragraphs. Do NOT compose a list of responses to the bullet points below. Rather, tell the story of you and your social location. This content will be kept confidential and only seen by the professor.

Note: If you wish to make claims about the characteristics of people from your hometown (ex. "most people in my hometown are over 65 years old") or if you are unsure about some of the prompts that require comparisons (ex. are the majority of people of the same racial group as you?), it may be helpful to click here and access data about your hometown to ensure your claims are factual

PART III

• Now that you've described your social location, deeply reflect on the following questions. Once your thoughts are organized, compose your responses in narrative form.

1.  Is it possible that your social location impacts the way you experience the world around you? Why or why not? Please explain and be thorough.
2.  Does your social location reflect the way you experience both this school and this class? Why or why not? Please explain and be thorough.
3. Do you think that everyone perceives the concept of "social inequality" similarly? Why or why not? Please explain and be thorough. If you believe viewpoints may differ, how and why might perceptions of social inequality differ from yours? Please explain and be thorough.

PART IV

1. Why were you asked to complete this assignment? How does it contribute to meeting our course objectives? Course objectives can be found in the syllabus.

Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course , you should be able to ..

• Describe inequalities impacting various social groups and evaluate their contributing forces.
• Use analytical and critical thinking skills to identify , examine, and assess factors that have contributed to the creation and persistence of inequality.
• Employ verbal and written communication skills to convey a sociological perspective when examining dimensions of inequality.