Applying Conflict Theory

Summary:

Rules
Double Spaced

3 Full pages minimum, X pages’ maximum.
No I statements (-5 points for each “I”)
12 point Times New Roman
This a complete essay, so it needs an intro and conclusion and a clear thesis.
Full citations expected (If it’s not your idea, cite it, -10 points for each instance of uncited ideas)
Turnitin Percentage under 10% (-10 points for each 1% over 10)
No bullet points, full answers expected.

Prompt:

In the conclusion to chapter 2, Jonathan Turner lays out a summarized and completed version of his conflict theory. In a paper no shorter than 3 pages you need pick a social group and then use Turner’s summarized theory to analyze the state of that group with regards to social conflict. You must pick a social group in modern American culture. It’s up to you which group you pick. Then, you need to evaluate the the type of conflict they are currently engaging in or will engage in the future.

The objectives of this paper are as follows:

Establish points 1 and 2 of Turner’s summarized theory using empirical data (10 points)
Establish how recent events reflect the conditions in Turner’s points 3 and 4 (60 points)
Connect the Macro points from earlier to micro considerations that Turner makes in section 5 of his summary. (10 points)

Hints \ Guiding questions for each point in Turner’s Theory

Point 1 – You will need to limit your analysis to one TYPE of group. Must be larger than a small group, so a country, state, city or university. It must be defined. This will be the group you analyze in your paper. You will also need to establish the Superordinate’s of the group outlined. Dahrendorf’s definition of an ICA will be helpful here.
Point 2 – You will need to show evidence of the conflict of interests that will impact the group that you will outline in point and back that up with DATA.
Point 3 – This is the point where you will EXPLAIN and ANALYZE the conditions within your group and how that might lead to conflict.
Section A is about the awareness of conditions, you will need to provide evidence of points 1-6 and assess the arousal of subordinates in your chosen group
Section B is about the likelihood of conflict mobilization, as with point A you will need to establish the likelihood of mobilization or establish how close the group is to conflict
Point 4 – This section looks at the intensity of violence within that group. As with point 3 you need to evaluate the scope of violence and the length of that conflict.
Section A – What is the resource gathering ability of the group with regard to conflict?
Section B- Looks at the things that Turner argues will determine the likelihood of violent conflict overall and the duration of that violence.
B1 – How many of these conditions (a-e) are met for this group?
B2 – How many of these conditions are met?
Point 5 – What kind of micro \ internal conflicts were \ are present in the group?

Suggested Formatting

Introduction (10 points)
· Summarizes topic
· Has clear thesis that previews the arguments to be made.

Body – Applying Turner’s Synthesized Version of Conflict Theory

· Answers all 3 objectives clearly (80 points)

Conclusion \ Discussion (10 points)
· Summarizes argument
· Draws conclusion from the overall points