Sociology Term Paper Ideas

The Public Perception of Domestic Abuse

• Concomitant with the rise of feminism and women's rights, the public's view of domestic violence has changed markedly over the last several decades. While once a taboo topic seldom brought out into the open, domestic violence is now the focus of many public awareness campaigns and a legitimate source of discussion among people of all ages and classes. A term paper could examine these changes and their causes.

The Changing Face of Racism

• The nature of racism in the U.S. has changed dramatically since the advent of the Civil Rights era. While once widely accepted, racism, at least when overtly displayed, is now publicly frowned upon. Yet many people still believe that racism is prevalent in society, albeit in different forms. A thesis could examine the nature of this shift.

The Democratization of Media

• With the rise of the Internet, Americans are no longer limited to receiving their news and entertainment from just a few major publishers and television; they now receive information from thousands of sources. A paper could examine the causes and effects of this democratization of media.

The Fragmentation of Feminism

• During its heyday, the feminist movement was a powerful, relatively cohesive coalition of thinkers and activists. Today, however, feminism is far more fragmented, with even the basic definition of the term a subject of contentious debate. A thesis could examine how feminism reached its current state and its present societal impact.

The Mainstreaming of Homosexuality

• As demonstrated by shows like "Ellen" and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," homosexuality has entered mainstream U.S. popular culture. This mainstreaming of gay culture has occurred at the same time as a renewed push for gay rights. A sociology thesis could examine how homosexuality came to be more widely accepted and the social effects of this shift.

The Social Origins of the Tea Party

• The Tea Party movement rose to prominence in 2009, in the wake of the beginning of the economic recession and the election of Barack Obama, both of which occurred the previous year. A sociology paper could examine the Tea Party's origins, including the class, race and social standing of its members, as well as the party's role within society.