SOCIOLOGY
345
Sociology of the Family
Fall 2003 Dr.
Diane Levy
Project Assignment: Plainsong
and the Family
For this assignment, you are to apply concepts from the sociology of the family to portrayals of families in Kent Haruf’s novel Plainsong. Haruf (rhymes with “sheriff”) has stated that “Plainsong is the story of decent people who have real problems and they are trying to find the solutions to their problems.” It brings together seven people in a variety of “family” settings and makes us question our notion of family.
As you read, try to employ the sociological imagination. How does Haruf relate the family to society? Focus on the culture and social context of these families. What larger social issues are tackled by way of the individual stories? What are some common themes in these families? In what way are the
characters and the families shaped by the local landscape and setting? How does the language contribute to the story? What does the author suggest about families in small towns?
Write a review of the book
integrating the issues in it with what you have learned in class and from the
readings on the topics. You may
approach this in any way you choose, but be sure that your paper is more than a
plot summary. You may mention the
plot, but only to illustrate the sociological concept or situation.
In other words, the assignment is to apply
your sociological understanding of the structure, functions, conflicts,
and themes of families to this novel.
How did the book leave you
feeling about the definition of a family?
Projects are to be typed,
double-spaced, 10 or 12 point font, with a four page maximum (about 1000 words).
DUE DATE: Monday November 24, 2003, in class
Note: Late papers will be graded down a half-grade for every day late that the university is in session.
Reminder: this project is worth 10% of your semester grade.