Description
Complete the Examine Your Privilege interactive media piece and then write a 4-5 page essay in which you reflect on your experience within the social stratification system and your connections to others.
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Introduction
To better understand the perspectives of others, it is important that we reflect on the role privilege plays in our society. When we think of privilege, we typically think of having money and nice “things,” but privilege is much more than that. Having privilege is not “good” or “bad.” It also does not mean that you have not worked hard or faced significant challenges in your life. Instead, it relates to our place in society’s stratification system and our access to resources and opportunities. Sociologists try to understand privilege and how it impacts our chances in life. ;
In the United States, we tend to emphasize the American Dream—the idea that if anyone works hard enough they can accomplish anything. Sociologists, however, argue that social mobility (our ability to move up or down in the stratification system) is not simply the result of hard work. Rather, our privilege plays a significant role in our capability for social mobility.
For this assessment, you will reflect on your privilege (or lack thereof) and how it has impacted your life changes. You will also analyze how your privilege is related to those around you and make connections to social mobility. Understanding our privilege in relation to others can help us solve problems and better interact with those around us.
Preparation
Review the suggested resources for this assessment. Note that Chapter 8 of the Sociology: The Essentials textbook provides useful background information, including information on social stratification and social mobility.
Complete the Examining Your Privilege interactive media piece. Please note that your responses will not be shared with your instructor or others.
Instructions
Considering your responses from the Examining Your Privilege interactive media piece, complete the following:
Explain the role privilege plays in social hierarchies and opportunities for social mobility. Use your own experiences or the experiences of those you know as examples.
How might your position in society’s stratification system have impacted the opportunities you have had or choices that you have made?
Explain how a sociological perspective on privilege, stratification, and social mobility may help with collaboration.
How might better understanding the experiences of those around you and their relationship with privilege help you to better work alongside them to accomplish goals?
Discuss how having a better understanding of personal privileges could support problem solving at work.
Describe the outcome after completing the Examining Your Privilege media.
What surprised you? What did you learn about yourself?
Be sure to write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Additional Requirements
Your Word document submission should meet the following requirements:
Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
Citations: Include both in-text citations and a references list of your sources. Review Evidence and APA for more information on how to cite your sources.
Number of References: Citing at least one course resource is required. Any additional sources are optional.
Length: 4–5 double-spaced pages of content in addition to the title page and reference page.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
Review the assessment scoring guide for details on how your assessment will be graded.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
Competency 1: Demonstrate how scientific methods or sociological principles are used to study society.
Explain the role privilege plays in social hierarchies and opportunities for social mobility.
Competency 2: Explain how collaboration is improved through the application of sociological concepts and principles.
Explain how a sociological perspective on privilege, stratification, and social mobility may help with collaboration.
Competency 3: Make decisions using a diverse and ethical perspective.
Discuss how having a better understanding of personal privileges could support problem solving at work.
Competency 4: Address assignment purpose in a well-organized manner, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.
Describe the outcome after completing the Examining Your Privilege media.
Write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
