8.3: Homework

Homework Assignments: Norms and New Yorker Cartoons

For this assignment you will be identifying cultural norms and connecting them to the various areas of sociological inquiry.

1) Before you begin:

Before you begin your analysis and write up think about the follow; the areas in which sociologists work. Below is a list of some of these areas. What can you add to this list? Remember anything can be studied sociologically. It is all about the questions we ask and the methods we use.

Let’s also take a closer look at two aspects of immaterial culture; norms and values.

Norms are the rules or standards prescribing how one ought to act, think, even feel in a particular social/cultural context.

Norms are internalized and can become taken-for-granted

Values are the belief that certain actions, behaviors and beliefs are good or bad, moral or immoral, ethical or not ethical etc.

Looking at the relationship between values and norms reveals a great deal about cultural ideology. Norms don’t emerge arbitrarily—they reflect underlying cultural values and beliefs. Because values shift over time and vary by context, social norms are equally fluid and diverse.

For example, in Aristotle’s time, many believed that women were less capable than men in public discourse—whether in law, philosophy, or politics. Over time, women have fought for equal rights and access to these arenas. Today, women actively participate in spheres of cultural influence that were once off-limits.

Although gender inequality has persisted for millennia—with women often excluded from formal social domains—many women made significant contributions within their cultural contexts. Sadly, their achievements were frequently erased from written history.

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Before we get to the assignment:

a) Watch this video and find out more about norms and values .

b) Watch this short film and identify the norms and values that are both followed and/or violated. Even forms of discrimination can become normalized in a culture, even though they are hurtful and damaging.

2) Let’s begin: A closer look at humor and cultural norms.

While there are many types of humor, what makes something funny using the idea of a cultural norm?

A situation can be humorous if it exaggerates or violates a cultural norm

Overview:

Sociology Assignment: Analyzing New Yorker Cartoons

Select five New Yorker cartoons (current or archived). You can use this site for options New Yorker Cartoons. For each cartoon, answer the following questions in a brief paragraph (3-5 sentences).

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Cartoon Analysis Questions

1. Social Norm(s) Addressed

   • Identify the social norm(s) being referenced or critiqued.
     Example: "The cartoon highlights our cultural reliance on smartphones in social settings."

2. Exaggeration or Violation of the Norm

   • Does the cartoon exaggerate the norm to the point of satire, or depict its outright violation?
     Example: "It exaggerates how everyone has their head buried in their phone—even if they're at a party."

3. Sociological Alignment

   • Which area(s) of sociology does the cartoon touch on? (e.g., social norms, deviance, labeling theory, social interaction, institutions, globalization)
     Example: "This cartoon connects to social norms and interaction ritual chains, emphasizing how digital habits shape our everyday face-to-face interactions."

RUBRIC (total: 12 points)

Criteria	Excellent (4 pts)	Satisfactory (3 pts)	Needs Improvement (1–2 pts)
1. Identification of Norm & Presentation	Clearly names the social norm(s) and thoughtfully describes whether the cartoon exaggerates or subverts it.	Identifies norm(s) and notes exaggeration/subversion, but briefly.	Norm unmentioned or confusion about its presentation.
2. Sociological Connection	Accurately links the cartoon to a relevant sociological concept (e.g., norms, deviance, social institutions).	Mentions a relevant concept with limited explanation.	No clear or incorrect sociological link.
3. Analysis & Writing Quality	Provides insightful commentary (3–5 sentences), well‑organized, and virtually error‑free.	Clear writing with minor errors; analysis is basic or summary‑like.	Writing is unclear or disorganized, or analysis is minimal