SECOND ASSESSMENT

SOTH20002 – CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY SEMESTER 2, 2023
Assessment two: 1000-word short paper (30%)
For this short paper, you are expected to identify how the theory of a classical sociologist
relates to the work of another, later person.
You will identify an author whose theory or interests are close to the approach of one of
our classical sociologists and you will describe either what they do with the theory
(including what alterations to the theory they make so that it can explain what they apply
it to) or how the classical sociologist would understand and evaluate their work.
We will spend some over the semester looking at strategies for applying theories to a
range of contemporary topics. In addition, you will find it useful to draw on the skills you
used in Assessment One to survey the literature and look at how contemporary
sociologists have used these classical sociologists in their own work.
This assessment is intended to let you think abstractly and theoretically, taking a
systematic theoretical approach from one historical period and social context and
applying it to another.
Important Dates:
Due: Thursday 5 October at 11.59PM
Online Only through Turnitin, on CANVAS (Leaning Management System).
You will be marked on the following criteria:
You will be marked on the following criteria:
• Presentation of the ideas of others in a concise, clear, and sophisticated fashion.
• Selection of appropriate work that relates to a classical theory.
• Description and evaluation of how your chosen text or scholar relates to the
classical theory.
• Clear, comprehensible, and academic writing style.
• Referencing according to School guidelines.
Tips:
• You can choose any focus you want but attend closely to answering the
assessment prompt. If you are unsure, please speak to Dan or Lachlan.
• Make sure you show how you have interpreted the question and make sure to
define key terms and scope.
• Do not try to do too much! Pick a focused aspect or a small number of aspects of
a later scholar’s work that relates to one of our classical theorists. You also do not
have to relate your answer to all of that classical thinker’s work, just a part.
• You will draw on sources beyond the readings provided (although you can use
these as well). The most important task is not to gather a lot of sources but to do
a good job with the sources you use.
• Keep in mind the word count – do not go significantly (more than 10 per cent)
below or over the 
amount required as you will lose marks. 

• Try to enjoy and learn from the assignment! Pick a later sociologists or scholar who
is interesting to you and pay attention to the feedback you receive on the first
assessment. The first two assessments together will give you a foundation on
which to build for assessment 3.
Further help & guidance: 

1. Schools’ essay writing guide and essay planning tool (Canvas).
2. Resources for all assignments are available at the Academic 
Skills Unit:
http://services.unimelb.edu.au/academicskills
3. A number of books on writing essays for university are available at the University
library.
4. Be aware of the School’s Plagiarism policy (on Canvas)
Late submission:
Please note that extensions will only be given in cases outlined in the extension policy,
when applied for in writing and accompanied by documentary support. Late submissions
without an extension are penalised 10% per day. Please note the full policy involving late
submission of work in the subject guide. In the interests of student equity, this policy
cannot be varied.