SOAN 453B: SENIOR SEMINAR:
 Senior Seminar:  Issues in Contemporary Sociology:
 Social Problems in Global-Historical Perspective
 WED 2:45-5:15 AL 432
 Colgate University
 Fall 2004 Professor Thomas Hall
 Office:  408 Alumni, x7083, email:  tdhall@mail.colgate.edu
 OFFICE HOURS:  Tu 2:45-4; W 1:30-2:30 & 5:20-6, Th 12-1, & by appt
Thesis Proposal
Last Updated 8-9-04
Due Wednesday, September 15, 2004 -- or sooner!

What I would like is the following:

• 1. The social problem you are going to study. Be as specific as you can at this point. If you are still narrowing it down, describe what you are struggling with. [about one paragraph, or if very specific, one sentence].
• 2. A discussion of WHY your social problem is a social problem, a paragraph or two about how and why it is a SOCIAL PROBLEM.
• 3. For whom is this a social problem, in sociological terms, what class[es], ethnic group[s], etc.
• 4. Alternatively, if your social problem is problematic, a paragraph or two about how and why it is problematic.
• 5. A brief statement about the significance of your social problem. What will it contribute to our general understanding of social problems? Alternatively, what issues or problems does this case raise with respect to understanding social problems? A few paragraphs.
• 6. Hand in TWO [2] copies. I will keep one, and return one for your use. You will probably find it very interesting to look back later at what you wrote  to see what you think once you are done.
• 7. Your annotated bibliography of at least 10 items will be due the following week, September 22nd. 

This is a formal exercise, so the rules about writing papers apply to it [see How to Write Essays for Professor Hall].   However, it is not carved in stone.  Sometimes things change as you get further into the topic.  This happens more often to those who are still struggling with parts 2 or 3.  That is all the more reason why you should write about the struggle:  I can often help you reach a reasonable solution so that you can go on to write an excellent thesis.  While this is only a beginning, it is a necessary first step.

Send comments or questions to tdhall@mail.colgate.edu          
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