2025-SOC3SOC: Assessment 2: Analytic Journals Part 1 - Details & Instructions

Key Task Requirements

For the first journal, you are required to apply a concept from one of the set readings in Module 1 (Weeks 1–3) or apply Griswold’s conceptual model of the Cultural Diamond to a real-world example—i.e., something in the news, something in popular culture, something in the arts (broadly defined), or something from your everyday life.

You should briefly introduce the concept but not simply summarise what is in the readings. Aim to explain how applying this concept can deepen the sociological understanding of your example and/or apply the concept in a way that constructs a sociological analysis and/or argument related to the themes of this subject.

Referencing Instructions for Journal #1

• Journal #1 requires you to use at least one reading from Module 1 of the subject as an academic reference.

• You may use newspapers, blogs, magazines, etc., to illustrate your example. These must be included in your reference list.

• Non-academic sources can be useful for observing culture, but they are not appropriate sources from which to draw academic theory.

• The tip sheet  contains advice on using non-academic sources appropriately in this subject and in sociological analysis more broadly.

Referencing Instructions for Both Journal #1 and Journal #2

• Each journal has a minimum referencing requirement. However, demonstrating complex sociological analysis may require additional reading and references.

• References are not included in the word count.

• All references must be appropriately formatted using APA 7th edition.

Preparing for Journal #1

• The journal writing tip sheet (linked in the resources section of this page) contains advice for writing sociological analysis and guidance for achieving high grades on the journal assessments.

• Throughout the Week 1–3 tutorials, we will apply concepts from the readings to various examples to help you prepare for Journal #1.