Week 1 Discussion: Social Causes of Suicide (Sociological Imagination)

Week 1 Discussion: Social Causes of Suicide

Overview

This is a graded discussion worth 25 points.

Initial Post Due: Wednesday by 11:59 p.m. MT

Follow-Up Posts Due: Sunday by 11:59 p.m. MT

This discussion focuses on understanding suicide through the lens of C. Wright Mills’ sociological imagination and applying sociological theory to real-world issues.

Required Resources

Before posting, review:

1. Lesson materials
2. Kendall, D. (2018). Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials (11th ed.). Cengage Learning
3. Minimum of one outside scholarly source

Initial Post Instructions

Sociologist C. Wright Mills referred to the sociological perspective as the sociological imagination, describing it as the ability to transform personal troubles into public issues.

This week, you will apply this concept to the topic of suicide, as discussed in Chapter 1 of the textbook.

In Your Initial Post, Address the Following:

1. How does the sociological imagination help examine private acts such as suicide within a larger societal context?
2. What are some examples of social forces influencing:
3. Youth suicide trends in the United States
4. Suicide trends in India
5. Suicide trends in the U.S. military
6. Use the sociological imagination to explain your observations.
7. Explain how the sociological imagination helps us consider both the causes and possible solutions to suicide.

You must support your discussion with:

1. The assigned textbook/lesson reading
2. At least one additional outside scholarly source

APA format is required for in-text citations and references.

Follow-Up Post Instructions

You must complete at least:

1. Two peer responses
2. OR
3. One peer response and one instructor response

Your follow-up posts should:

1. Extend the discussion
2. Provide clarification
3. Introduce additional scholarly perspectives
4. Engage critically with classmates’ ideas

Writing Requirements

1. Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial + 2 follow-ups)
2. APA citation format
3. Reference list included
4. Integration of textbook and outside scholarly source

Course Outcomes

This discussion supports:

1. CO 1
2. CO 2

Instructor Reminder

As you analyze the sociological imagination, consider:

How can you analyze other situations—not just suicide—using what you have learned about the sociological imagination?

Think about the connection between personal troubles and public issues. For example:

1. Can poverty be viewed this way?
2. Are there social problems where the connection is difficult to make?

Key Concept Reminder

C. Wright Mills emphasizes that personal experiences are shaped by larger social forces. The sociological imagination allows us to see:

1. How individual struggles connect to institutions
2. How global interdependence shapes outcomes
3. How structures and social support systems influence behavior

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