This paper will focus on the cultural pursuit and realization of happiness in a contemporary society of your choosing. Each student will choose a topic related to the elusive pursuit of happiness involving some aspect of that culture (e.g., money, sex, drugs, power, success, prestige and celebrity, consumerism and conspicuous consumption, media images, self-improvement movements, utopian movements, religion, spiritual beliefs). The student should critique (i.e., critically evaluate)– consistent with the available evidence on the factors actually associated with happiness—a myth about happiness involving the pursuit of happiness related topic chosen that is perpetuated by the major institutions of that society. Evidence should be presented that reveals that, indeed, it is a myth. Discuss the negative personal and societal consequences of the pursuit of that myth. Then discuss how debunking that myth can help people realize genuine happiness.

Format for the Elusive Pursuit of Happiness Project

Observe minimum page limits, typed pages requirements (i.e., at least seven typed pages, not including the reference page; but no more than nine pages) and deadlines. Divide the project into the following three sections: Critique of the Myth, Negative Consequences of the Myth, and Positive Consequences of Debunking the Myth. Pages must be double spaced. Please number pages. Do not use onion-skin (i.e., very thin) paper. Staple pages together. Do not put the project paper in a folder or in plastic.

There is sample essay that you need to read in order to see how the paper should be in order to get A.

References should be documented according to the following format. In the body of the paper, for example, Davis (2008) or (Davis 2008). If you quote directly you must use quotation marks or “block” quotes (for quotations longer than four lines) and must give the page number, e.g., (Davis 2008: 532). On the reference page at the end of the paper list references alphabetically using the following format.

Davis, John R. 2009. The Sociology of Deviance. New York: McGraw-Hill

or
Davis, John R. 2009. “A Re-analysis of Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association.” American Journal of Sociology 153: 319-22

For further details see:

The Chicago Manual of Style or the American Sociological Association Style Guide

You must use a minimum of seven citations. They should include at least two of the books assigned for this course and at least five other sources not assigned for the class. Useful resources for this project need to be used are novel called: John Storey’s Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: An Introduction and the Journal of Happiness Studies.
-Only three web site references may be used. The name of the organization sponsoring the web site must be cited with its address in the references section of the paper.
– Use the simple, common words we use when we speak.