Read each question carefully. Make sure you are answering what the question is a

Read each question carefully. Make sure you are answering what the question is asking. Do not include
filler like biographical backgrounds or explain the theorist’s other concepts, (unless they are directly relevant to the theory in question). Responses that add unnecessary filler actually work against you, as it leads me to believe that you are confused about the theory referenced in the question, and are “throwing things against the wall and hoping something sticks.”
 Remember that you are explaining the theories from the perspective of the theorists. Do not conflate
your opinions of a topic with the views of the theorists. This is not meant to be dismissive of your views
– they have a valuable place in the learning process overall. For this exam, however, your task is to
demonstrate that you understand the theories, as the theorists intended.
 Examples are not definitions or explanations. Examples can be helpful in illustrating a concept, but you
need to be able to articulate definitions and explanations clearly and concisely without relying on
examples. Only include examples in places where I ask for them, and even then, I will ask you to define
and explain something before I ask you to provide an example.
 Write in a clear and concise manner. Do not try to be too verbose. Explaining the theory accurately and
clearly is more important than trying to impress with vocabulary.
 Your responses should be based primarily on the things we covered and emphasized in class. There are a
lot of information sources available on theorists and theories, but not all these sources will address or
emphasize the same key points or address them in the same way. Responses that do not address the
key points we covered in class will have points deducted, even if the content is generally accurate
regarding the theory. This issue is common for students who do not attend class meetings and utilize
internet sources as their primary source of information.
 Do not plagiarize in any way. Some students are confused about what constitutes plagiarism. If you
plagiarize, it will show up in the TurnItIn report, and your grade will be penalized. Plagiarism includes,
but is not limited to the following:
o Directly quoting any content without proper citation and without formatting the content as a
quote (quotation marks and properly formatted in-text citation).
o Having a source in front of you and writing your response by using some of the words from the
source, but trying to change enough words that it isn’t technically plagiarism (or so students
think – if you haven’t properly cited it in text, it’s still plagiarism).
o Using a source to inform your writing (getting ideas from the source) without citing it – even if
you are using completely different wording. If something has informed your response, you need
to cite it.
o Copying parts or the entirety of the answers of your peers.
 With this said, do not rely on quotes for your answers. I want to see that you understand the concepts,
not that you know how to Google a question and pick quotes or paraphrase.
 Finally, if you are confused about something, email me.
How to complete and submit your exam
For each question, you must include the text of the question, followed by your typed response.
There are no formal word counts, but responses must fully and effectively cover the concepts. The exam is due
by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, December 6th. Late exams will be penalized 20 points for each day they are late, and
exams will not be accepted after Friday, December 9th.
Exam Questions
1. Define structural functionalism and explain how society is viewed through the lens of this theory.
2. Define and explain Dahrendorf’s concepts of quasi groups, interest groups, and conflict groups.
3. Define and explain symbolic interactionism.
4. Define and explain post-modernity and discuss its relevance to sociological theory.
5. Explain Marx’s Labor Theory of Value.
6. Define and explain Bourdieu’s concept of habitus.
7. Identify and explain the emphases of the waves of feminism.
8. Define and explain Foucault’s concepts of the panopticon and the carceral archipelago.
9. Explain Erving Goffman’s dramaturgy.
10. Wild card: Discuss one additional theory or concept from the class discussions that you found interesting.