week 4

Choose one of the following questions:

1. Describe the functionalist view of social stratification, and the conflict theory's view of social stratification. Then take a pro or con position on each of the following three points: first, social stratification is necessary for societies to exist and prosper; second, the United States functions, overall, as a meritocracy; and third, human beings-driven as they are by human nature-are incapable of ever creating and/or living in a classless society. Provide detail about 'why' you are taking the pro or con position for each point.2. Describe the three theories of global inequality addressed in the reading this week, examining the existence and persistence of inequality between countries and regions. Also address the strengths and weaknesses of these perspectives as analytical tools.  What is the most accurate theory to address global inequality?  Explain why you selected this perspective using specific examples.

The Week 4 Forum meets the following course objectives:

• Apply a sociological perspective to the social world
• Analyze contemporary social issues using the sociological imagination and use sociological theories and concepts to analyze everyday life.
• Discuss global stratification and explain social class and the impact of stratification in the United States.

Instructions for all Forums:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week.  This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.  Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.  To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week.  All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required.  Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly.  If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.

Points

Exemplary (100%)

Accomplished (85%)

Developing (75%)

Beginning (65%)

Not Participating (0%)

Comprehension of course materials

4

Initial post demonstrates rich comprehension of course materials.  Detailed use of terminology or examples learned in class.  If post includes opinion, it is supported with evaluated evidence.

Initial post demonstrates clear comprehension of course materials.  Use of terminology or examples learned in class. If post includes opinion, it is supported with evaluated evidence.

Initial post demonstrates some comprehension of course materials.  Specific terminology or examples learned in class may be incorrect or incomplete.  Post may include some opinion without evaluated evidence.

Initial post does not demonstrate comprehension of course materials.  Specific terminology or examples learned in class are not included.  Post is opinion based without evaluated evidence.

No posting, post is off topic, post does not meet minimum criteria for demonstrating beginning level of comprehension. Post may be plagiarized, or use a high percentage of quotes that prevent demonstration of student’s comprehension.

Real world application of knowledge

2

Initial post demonstrates that the learner can creatively and uniquely apply the concepts and examples learned in class to a personal or professional experience from their life or to a current event.

Initial post demonstrates that the learner can apply the concepts and examples learned in class to a  personal or professional experience from their life or to a current event.

Initial post does not clearly demonstrate that the learner can apply the concepts and examples learned in class. Unclear link between the concepts and examples learned in class to personal or professional experience or to a current event.

Initial post does not demonstrate that the learner can apply the concepts and examples learned in class. No link to a personal or professional experience or to a current event is made in the post.

No posting, post is off topic, post does not meet minimum criteria for demonstrating beginning level of application. Post may be plagiarized, or use a high percentage of quotes that prevent demonstration of student’s ability to apply comprehension.

Active Forum Engagement and Presence

 3

Learner posts 4+ different days in the learning week.

Replies to at least one response from a classmate or instructor on the learner’s initial post to demonstrate the learner is reading and considering classmate responses to their ideas. 

Posts two or more 100+ word responses to initial posts of classmates.  Posts motivate group discussion and contributes to the learning community by doing 2+ of the following:

• offering advice or strategy
• posing a question,
• providing an alternative point-of-view,
• acknowledging similar experiences
• sharing a resource

Learner posts 3 different days in the learning week.

Posts two 100+ word responses to initial posts of classmates.  Posts motivate group discussion and contribute to the learning community by doing  2+ of the following:

• offering advice or strategy
• posing a question,
• providing an alternative point-of-view,
• acknowledging similar experiences
• sharing a resource

Learner posts 2 different days in the learning week. 

Posts one 100+ word response to initial post of classmate.  Post motivates group discussion and contributes to the learning community by doing 1 of the following:

• offering advice or strategy
• posing a question,
• providing an alternative point-of-view,
• acknowledging similar experiences
• sharing a resource

Learner posts 1 day in the learning week. 

Posts one 100+ word response to initial post of classmate.  Post does not clearly motivate group discussion or clearly contribute to the learning community.

Responses do not:

• offering advice or strategy
• posing a question,
• providing an alternative point-of-view,
• acknowledging similar experiences
• sharing a resource

Learner posts 1 day in the learning week, or posts are not made during the learning week and therefore do not contribute to or enrich the weekly conversation.

No peer responses are made.  One or more peer responses of low quality (“good job, I agree”) may be made.

Writing skills

 1

Post is 250+ words.  All posts reflect widely accepted academic writing protocols like using capital letters, cohesive sentences, and no texting language. Dialogue is also polite and respectful of different points of view.

Post is 250+ words.  The majority of posts reflect widely-accepted academic writing protocols like using capital letters, cohesive sentences, and no texting language. Dialogue is polite and respectful of different points of view.

Post is 175+ words.  The majority of posts reflect widely-accepted academic writing protocols like using capital letters (“I am” not “i am”), cohesive sentences, and no texting language. Dialogue may not be respectful of different points of view.

Post is 150+ words.  The majority of the forum communication ignores widely-accepted academic writing protocols like capital letters, cohesive sentences, and texting; Dialogue may not be respectful of different points of view.

No posting, post is off topic and does not meet minimum criteria for demonstrating beginning level of comprehension.