Select a contemporary social issue and then use the sociological imagination to analyze why
it is occurring. (Note: The Mills article and the Power Point slides discuss “social issues” vs.
“personal troubles”.)
Step One: Select a Social Issue
You can pick any social issue you’d like, but here are some categories that might help you:
Aging and ageism Health and Health Care Schools and Education
Gender Inequality Racial and Ethnic Inequality Alcohol and Other Drugs
Poverty Work and the Economy Relationships and Family
The Environment Sexual Behavior War and Terrorism
Media Urban or Rural Problems Crime and Criminal Justice
For example, for “Alcohol and Other Drugs” you could analyze the rising abuse of
prescription drugs. Or for “The Environment” you could analyze why the U.S. produces
more garbage than any other nation. Or for “Health and Health Care” you could analyze
why childhood obesity has risen so much in the past few decades. Pick something that
interests you! Feel free to look through the textbook for ideas. Do not pick an issue that we
have already analyzed during class time; grades will be reduced if you do that.
Step Two: Apply the Sociological Imagination
Write a paper that analyzes your social issue using the sociological imagination. Ask
yourself, how has society contributed to this social issue? What social changes have
occurred that may help explain this trend? How might the social structure contribute to
this social issue? Are certain social groups more vul
Sample Solution