Reference no: EM132624308

Link To Article: https://sites.middlebury.edu/utopias/files/2013/02/The-Promise.pdf

You will notice that throughout Mills' article, "The Promise of Sociology", Mills is examining concepts that can explain the dynamics of social life and the relationship between the individual and society. He explores the intersections of society, biography, and history and how these social forces influence and shape the life chances of individuals. He specifically frames his ideas and explanations through four specific concepts: "Traps", "Cherished Values", "The Sociological Imagination", "Personal Troubles" and "Public Issues".

Think about how these concepts are explaining and supporting Mills' argument; do you think his argument is still relevant for today? Are these four concepts operating in the same way they did in 1959? For example, the achievement of the "American Dream", the definition of success, failure, patriotism, gender roles, etc.

Ask how these concepts are influencing peoples' ideas about themselves, and society as a whole. For example, could Cherished Values lead to people feeling trapped in their lives? Would they even know they are trapped or would they just believe it is their fault? What tool does Mills offer to help individuals think beyond their own lives and the traps they may feel? How can we utilize the argument he offers to understand the relationship between the individual and society and that the individual is intricately connected to society? How might we understand the social problems we face today? Try also to think about the theories we have discussed: Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist. Which of these theories do you think Mills identifies with and why?

Specific Requirements for the Assignment:

Select one initial concept from the four concepts Mills uses and connect that concept to the concepts of "personal troubles" and "public issues". Define, explain, and support each of these concepts by using the material from his article. Include examples from the article and direct quotes to support/validate the concepts you include. In addition, include an example of your own for each concept to again support/illustrate the concept you are examining. For example, what might be a personal trouble today and a public issue. Examine difference between these two concepts and how a personal trouble can become a public issue. be as brief but as thorough as possible;