social norms before the covid-19 pandemic

social norms before the covid-19 pandemic

 
Paper Instructions



SOC 1 Dr. Bany
SOC 1 Paper Assignment: Changing cultural norms in the era of COVID-19
Cultural norms provide a framework for our actions and guide our behaviors in social interactions. While
norms allow society to function, they often remain unnoticed and go unquestioned. It is the successful
enactment of norms that leads us to be unaware that they even exist. We stand in line behind others at the
grocery store, eat our entree before dessert, shake hands when meeting a stranger, give personal space
when sitting near others, and would likely not wear pajamas to a class or formal attire to watch tv with our
families. Often it is not until taken for granted norms are violated or significant societal level events occur
that we become aware of the significance of social norms in society.
However, norms are not static, they change over time, and currently we are experiencing an
unprecedented time as a result of the spread of Coronavirus throughout the world. Your assignment is to
provide a clear and detailed analysis of how social norms are currently changing in the era of COVID-19,
what you have observed, and how you think the new “normal” will impact our lives in the future after the
pandemic ends.
You should choose a specific social norm pre-pandemic and analyze how the disruptions to daily life have
revealed the significance of this norm for shaping and guiding our behavior. Your description should
provide clear discussion of the norm in the past, how it is currently changing due to the pandemic, and
what impact the changes will have on social behavior in the future. Below are ideas for norms, but I
encourage you to reflect on your own observations and experiences in your choice.
Ideas for changing norms:
• language/vocabulary (e.g. new language: social distancing, self-isolation, essential workers, etc.)
• face coverings (e.g. wearing facemasks, bandanas, other creative things people wear)
• group interactions (e.g. virtual hangouts/meetings/classes/worship services, etc.)
• restricted activities (e.g. business closures, no group gatherings, closed public places, etc.)
• greetings (e.g. no physical touch, hugging, or shaking hands)
• eating behaviors (e.g. preparing food at home, restaurant take-out, etc.)
• sleeping patterns (e.g. sleeping in, napping, working new hours, etc.)
• fashion (e.g. wearing casual clothing all day, how people dress for Zoom meetings, etc.)
In addition to your discussion of changing norms, you should also engage in a discussion with two other
people about their views and experiences. Your analysis should include observations of specific
experiences, which can include events taking place in your home, at your workplace, or in public settings
(e.g. grocery stores or restaurant pick-ups).
Paper Guidelines:
Your paper should be 5-7 pages of written text, typed, double-spaced (1-inch margins and 12-point font).
Consider your audience to be peers who have a college-level education but have not taken this course.*
Your paper must include the following sections:




A brief description of cultural norms. This should include reference to Newman’s textbook and
should consist of your own review of the readings, not just a paraphrase of the author.
A description of your specific norm (before the pandemic). What is the taken-for-granted behavior
and how did it keep social order prior to COVID-19? Remember, you should choose a norm and
SOC 1 Dr. Bany
examine how it has changed in your paper. This section is discussing the norm before the
pandemic, the change will be in the next section. For example: the norm could be greetings (e.g.
shaking hands, hugging, kissing on the cheek). Here you would explain how people greeted each
other before the pandemic began.
Detailed description of the observed change in the social norm during the current COVID-19
pandemic. What is the change? Where have you observed it? How has it impacted day to day
interactions? How has COVID-19 disrupted social order? How are people learning the new norm?
Are people following it? What happens when people do not follow the new norm, are there
sanctions? You should cite at least one current news article in this section. This should be from a
mainstream news source (e.g. The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today,
Huffington Post, Washington Post, etc.) In the greeting norm example, how has the pandemic
changed the way we greet others? If typical greetings were handshake, kiss, hug, etc. this is no
longer the case. Be explicit and detailed in your discussion here.
Discuss your observations and experiences with two other people (friends, family members,
coworkers). What are their views and experiences? Do they differ from yours?
Interpretation and analysis of the experiences with the changing norm. Your impression of why
things happened based on the conceptual logic of the symbolic interactionist perspective (review
Newman Ch. 1). Here you should clearly explain how we use shared norms to help guide our
interactions with others, and how we create and construct shared meaning and definitions of the
situation.
Conclusions. What are the implications of changing social norms for understanding human
behavior and society? How does a major event such as the current COVID-19 pandemic disrupt
social order? Does such an event lead to complete chaos, or does society find ways to adjust and
adapt by creating new norms? What impact do you think the change in norms (e.g. greetings) will
have after the pandemic ends? Will these changes be permanent in our society? Finally, why are
social norms important and how does a sociological perspective help understand the consequences
of the pandemic on human social interaction?
Important note: This paper should be a critical analysis of social norms. Although you are providing your
observations and views, the paper should be evidence based and supported with concepts and theory from
the textbook and information from current news sources. Cite your textbook, especially chapter 1 and
chapter 4, and cite at least one current news source in your paper.
Turn in the following:
Paper (with cover page, paper, and reference page)
Draft Due: March 29th, by 11:59pm (must be submitted on Canvas) optional extra credit
Paper Due: April 26th by 11:59pm (must be submitted on Canvas)
Draft feedback Zoom meeting with Writing and Reading Center (Optional for extra credit toward the
paper): must be completed one week prior to the paper deadline and confirmation of meeting sent
by tutor to Dr. Bany through email.
*Refer to handout – “Writing Format Guide” in Files on our Canvas page for help with formatting,
citations, and reference page.
SOC 1 Dr. Bany
SOC 1: Paper Grading Rubric
Paper (100 pts.)
Introduction (10 pts.)
• Introduces the topic of the paper and rationale for examining cultural norms.
• Introduces the concept of cultural norms, citing Newman (2014). Introduces COVID-19 and
changing norms during the pandemic.
• Gives an overview of the paper, including the focus and content of the paper
 Description of cultural norms (20 pts.)
• Demonstrates an understanding of the role of cultural norms in maintaining social order.
• Provides examples of cultural norms.
• This should include reference to Newman’s text and should consist of your own review of the
readings, not just a paraphrase of the authors.
Description of COVID-19 norm (10 pts.)
• A description of your specific norm.
• What is the taken-for-granted behavior and how did it keep social order prior to COVID-19?
 Description of norm change. (10 pts.)
• Detailed description of the observed change in the social norm during the current COVID-19
pandemic. What is the change? Where have you observed it? How has it impacted day to day
interactions? How has COVID-19 disrupted social order? How are people learning the new
norm? Are people following it? What happens when people do not follow the new norm, are
there sanctions?
• You should cite at least one current news article in this section. This should be from a
mainstream news source
Discussion with others (10 pts.)
• Discuss your observations and experiences with two other people (friends, family members,
coworkers).
• What are their views and experiences? Do they differ from yours?
 Analysis (20 pts.)
• Interpretation and analysis of the experiences with the changing norm.
• Your impression of why things happened based on the conceptual logic of the symbolic
interactionist perspective (review Newman Ch. 1). Here you should clearly explain how we use
shared norms to help guide our interactions with others, and that we create and construct shared
meaning and definitions of the situation.
Conclusion (10 pts.)
• What are the implications of changing social norms for understanding human behavior and
society? How does a major event such as the current COVID-19 pandemic disrupt social order?
• Does such an event lead to complete chaos, or does society find ways to adjust and adapt by
creating new norms?
• What impact do you think the change in norms (e.g. greetings) will have after the pandemic
ends? Will these changes be permanent in our society?
• Finally, why are social norms important and how does a sociological perspective help
understand the consequences of the pandemic on human social interaction?
 Format (5 pts.)
• Cover page with title, name, course information
• 1-inch margins, 12-point font, TNW, page numbers, headings.
• ASA citations in text
References Page (5 pts.)
Cites all sources used in paper following ASA format
 Paper Score (100 pts.)




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