Sociology 215: Race & Ethnic Relations

Book Review: Objectives and Guidelines

Objectives:

For Sociology 215, a book review is an analysis of a text –in this case, a sociologically relevant book –in which the reviewer summarizes the author’s main points and arguments, critically evaluates the evidence cited, and compiles a critique of the text. A book review is not simply an opinion regarding the reviewer’s like or dislike of the text. Rather, it is an in-depth textual evaluation that demonstrates the reviewer’s identification and understanding of the central thesis and his or her logical assessment of the text.

Your book review is intended to familiarize you with sociological literature in an effort to further your understanding of race, ethnic, gender, and class relations in the United States. In addition, it offers you the opportunity to strengthen your writing skills and develop critical sociological thinking. It is extremely important to remember that this is a sociological review of a book relevant to the course objectives:

• Demonstrate an understanding of such sociological concepts as assimilation, pluralism, ascribed and achieved status, prejudice, and discrimination;
• Display basic knowledge of historical, socioeconomic, and political demographics of the United States;
• Demonstrate critical thinking and understanding about different theories and perspectives pertaining to race, class, gender, and sexuality; and
• Apply sociological concepts for the analysis of race and ethnicity to personal and/or familial experience.

Thus, the instructor must approve each book selected, and, you need to read and evaluate from a sociological perspective. I suggest using the following questions to guide your review:

• Who is the author and what is his or her background?
• What year was the book written and/or published; and does this affect the content of the work?
• What ‘backdrop’ does the publication date or the book’s time frame –the mid 1800s during U.S. slavery or the turbulent 1950s and 1960s—provide?
• What is the author telling the reader (i.e., what are the thesis and main points)?
• Is the author addressing his or her work to a particular audience?
• How does the author answer his or her main argument?
• What evidence does he or she provide to support such points?
• Does the author offer a personal and/or sociological perspective on the issue(s) addressed (i.e., does the author express any ideas that demonstrate his or her biases, assumptions, etc.?)
• How does his or her work address sociological concepts or issues pertaining to race, ethnicity, class, gender, and/or sexuality?

The book review requires the following:

1. A detailed account of the author’s main point(s) and central argument or thesis;

2. A succinct assessment of the parts of the argument: the main question, the answer to this question, the evidence cited to support the question or the answer, etc;

3. A critique of the text (i.e., the strengths and weaknesses of the book and your reaction to the book).

The questions listed above –those in the bulleted format –will be most useful in completing the first two requirements. However, a critique forces you to ask and answer: What is my reaction to the book and why? This question requires more than a simple answer, such as “I liked the book” or “I didn’t like the book”.

The Critique:

You may need to read the book more than once to complete the three requirements. However, take notes during your readings –separating the content from your reaction. As you read to critique, write down questions that arise. Moreover, you might begin your reading with specific questions, such as is the terminology defined, or you might keep general questions in mind: do “I buy” his or her argument? Is the author overlooking something in his or her argument? Could this book be improved upon; if so, how? Your critique can include comments about potential target audiences (i.e., is this book suitable for a lay audience with no sociological training or is it more appropriate for students?). Finally, you might address your reaction as a non-sociological major, if this is the case, and your assessment regarding the topic itself (i.e., is this book interesting, in general and why?).

Although these questions are only suggestions, you might want to refer to them as you read your selected book and as you develop your review. Allow yourself enough time to thoroughly read, write, and edit. If you have any questions, please see me.

Book review guidelines:

1. Length: 5-8 typed, double-spaced pages
2. Organization:
1. Title page that includes: a title that reflects the assignment; your name and your SIUC student ID number; course title/course number and section number; lecturer’s name; and assignment due date.
2. Introduction
3. Summary of the author’s arguments (requirement #1)
4. Assessment of the arguments (requirement #2)
5. Reviewer’s critique (requirement #3)
6. Conclusion
7. Reference page
3. Writing Skills:

The Clarity as well as the content of your writing can be diminished by excessive grammatical or stylistic errors. I have identified the more common mistakes. All errors will be deducted from your grade.

· Grammar: subject-verb agreement, misuse of words (e.g., their for there, two for too)

· Spelling: Proof read and use a dictionary to avoid this problem. Spell-check programs cannot catch everything.

· Sentence structure: fragmented or ‘half’ sentences, incorrect use of punctuation or no punctuation, run-on sentences, etc.

· Excessive or unnecessary wording or redundancy.

· Paragraphs: convey one main point and usually consist of three or more sentences.

4. Citations:

Please use citations when needed (e.g., paraphrasing, direct quotations and words). Any style, such as ASA, APA, MLA, is acceptable. Remember, presenting another person’s work (ideas and words) as your own constitutes plagiarism and is take quite seriously at SIUC.

5. Miscellaneous:

· Margins: 1 inch margins on all sides or 1 inch top, bottom, and right margins and 1 ¼ inch left margin

· 12 point font

· Plain white paper with black ink

· Staple your paper

· Keep an additional copy in case of loss or other problem

· NO PLASTIC COVERS