EXAM 1 ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS

Read carefully the Time article “Is Warren Jeffs a Religious Tyrant?” and analyze the issues involved with the help of the social science perspectives we have been studying.

Your paper should be in the range of 3 to 6 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font. You may submit your essay as a Word or text document (.rtf or .txt) and sent as an e-mail attachment. Use my email address at rutledge@garyrutledge.com The subject line of the e-mail should read Perspectives Essay, followed by your full name (e.g., Perspectives Essay, Barry Bonds).  The essay should include a title page with your full-name and e-mail address.  Please see additional information below.

 How to approach the essay

 Your purpose is not to answer the question in the title of the article or to determine how the criminal case should be decided.  Instead, you are asked to consider how social scientists might try to study, describe and analyze the situation.  Certain portions of the reading are particularly relevant.  Consider some or all of the following: 

Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction

            Introduction and Chapter 1

(anthropological perspective and ethnography)

            Chapter 4

(sex, marriage, family)

            Chapter 3, pages 49-52

                        (cultural relativism) 

Sociology: A Very Short Introduction. 

            Chapter 2

                        (social as opposed to simply biological explanations of human behavior)

            Chapter 5

                        (value neutrality, pages 92-94, and relativism, pages 95-98)

 Psychology: A Very Short Introduction

            Chapter 9, Social Psychology

                        (especially conformity, obedience, prejudice)

            Chapter 8, Abnormal Psychology

 If you wish, you may consult other materials, but this is not necessary. If you do use additional materials, provide a references page (see below under “Citing Sources”). 

Points to Consider In Your Essay 

1. Did you demonstrate command of key material in the assigned reading?
2. Were you able to show how that material might help in studying and analyzing issues raised by the magazine article?
3. Did you make a compelling case for your view by means of rational argument, effective documentation, etc.?
4. Was your paper professionally presented in clear, accurate, Standard English?  (Matters such as organization, word selection, and grammar are important.)

Citing Sources 

If you are referring to course materials, i.e. assigned reading and class presentations or discussions, you may use a simple system, such as a parenthesis (Psychology, 72) or (Class notes).

If you use additional sources, provide a references page that identifies all of them. The choice of format is up to you.