identifying and analyzing a topic that you would consider to be a social problem or main issue in society today. You are encouraged to select a topic that you have found interesting throughout your Sociology courses and/or a topic that is related to your concentration in the program. Clearly state the selected topic and briefly discuss why you selected this issue. Find one peer-reviewed article from the last three years and one popular open web source discussing the topic and briefly summarize the sources. Applying what you have learned in your courses, analyze the topic and discuss why this is a topic that should be studied in Sociology.
Sample Answer
Why I Selected This Issue: I selected this issue because, from my vantage point in Kisumu, urban youth unemployment is a glaring and pervasive social problem with far-reaching consequences that touch almost every aspect of community life. It's a foundational issue underpinning many other challenges, such as crime rates, mental health issues, delayed family formation, and social unrest. Having observed the struggles of young people directly in this setting, the topic deeply resonates as a critical area for sociological inquiry, particularly as Kisumu continues to urbanize rapidly. It allows for an exploration of structural inequalities, social stratification, deviant behavior, and social change, which are central themes in sociology.Why I Selected This Issue: I selected this issue because, from my vantage point in Kisumu, urban youth unemployment is a glaring and pervasive social problem with far-reaching consequences that touch almost every aspect of community life. It's a foundational issue underpinning many other challenges, such as crime rates, mental health issues, delayed family formation, and social unrest. Having observed the struggles of young people directly in this setting, the topic deeply resonates as a critical area for sociological inquiry, particularly as Kisumu continues to urbanize rapidly. It allows for an exploration of structural inequalities, social stratification, deviant behavior, and social change, which are central themes in sociology.