Discuss how the family experiences and messages described by the speaker are similar to or different from your own family experiences.

Module 1 Assignment: Families in Perspective: Clint Smith

Overview

In this module you are learning about the sociological study of the family. The definition of family is subjective, which means there is no agreed-upon definition of what constitutes a family.

Because we usually think of families as private relationships that affect us individually, at the macro level, it can be difficult to see how the family also functions as a social institution, an organized system of structured relationships with a specific purpose in maintaining society. At the micro level, it’s difficult to envision how a individual’s definition of family varies based on his or her unique set of characteristics and statuses.

To deepen your understanding of these macro- and micro-level connections between family and society, watch Clint Smith’s short TED Talk, How to Raise a Black Son inAmerica https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us70DN2XSfM&t=32s and write a response paper reflecting on how larger social issues (in this case, race and racism) affect private family life and shape individual experiences of the surrounding world.

Be creative, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Instructions

  1. After viewing How to Raise a Black Son in America, write a response paper that includes the following sections:
    • Introduction: One paragraph that introduces the reader to the central topic of the perspective addressed
    • Main Body: Outline and explain the main message, argument, or problem presented, and connect it to key ideas and concepts from the course content, readings, and Exploration page. Be sure to use in-text citations formatted in APA Style.
    • Compare/Contrast: Discuss how the family experiences and messages described by the speaker are similar to or different from your own family experiences.
    • Conclusion: Reflect on what you learned from this perspective. Specifically, discuss how the perspective may differ from your own perspective, how it brought to light something you had not thought about before, or why it challenged your thinking. Be sure to conclude by explaining why this perspective is important for understanding the connection between family and society.
  2. The paper should be at least 3 pages (the title page and reference page do not count as part of the page requirement). This should include well-supported and well-written information addressing the criteria outlined in this assignment page.
  3. Please include proper formatting throughout the paper. Use APA Style to format the title page, reference page, and citations. Use third-person language, double-spacing, a 12-point font, and one-inch margins. See the Writing Guide for writing help.
  4. Papers must include at least three sources from the text, Exploration page, academic books, or journal articles, and sources must be cited in APA Style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us70DN2XSfM&t=32s