Select one of the following theories in Sociology: Structural Functionalism, Conflict or
Symbolic Interaction, Feminist Theory or Queer Theory and address the following items
in a three-page paper.
1. Provide a brief overview of the history of this theory.
2. Select one early theorist associated with this theory and provide a brief
biography of this social scientist.
3. What is the underlying premise of the theory? In other words, what is the theory
about? How does the theory “attempt to explain” how society is organized and
how things work in society?
4. What points do you find most interesting about this theory?
5. Are there any elements of the theory that you find outdated for understanding
society and social interaction today?
6. Use this theory to explain a current social condition, problem or event in the
news such as the increasing income gap, the Me Too Movement, the economy
etc. In essence, how can you relate some of the key concepts and overall position
of theory to “frame” a particular social issue?
