One thing that the COVID-19 crisis has done is brought social media to the forefront of

our thinking and our social interactions. What was once a social practice has now
become a social necessity? We zoom to work, we zoom to class, and we zoom to
weddings. We are online always.

What does this mean for the self? What does this mean for meaning making in social
contexts?

One of the interesting things about social theory is how different theories and
theorists can look at the same social phenomena and come up with different analyses
and explanations. For this paper, I want you to explore how Goffman and Bourdieu
might look at social media as a mechanism of the self.

Goffman argues that all social interactions are performances for a stage. Two things
guide our performance: remaining in good face and avoiding stigma. What would
Goffman say about social media? Is it a new total institution? What are the props,
scripts, costumes, prestige symbols, etc. of this stage? Has our dramaturgy changed
due to zoom? How has our impression management changed?

Are 'likes' a form of capital? If so, which kind? Use the cultural capital and habitus
ideas from Bourdieu in your response. How does social media reflect our habitus and
capitals? How does social media allow for a display of taste and distinction?

How does social media reflect the mechanisms of meaning making and value action?

To once again quote Charles Lemert: “One of the reasons social theorists are willing
to tolerate confusion is that their calling is to stay put in the dirty work of daily life
while trying to figure out social things.” (Lemert, 2007.) The use value of social
theory is to make sense of social phenomena and to bring a critical lens to the daily
practices of social life. Often, that requires pulling together different ideas and
theories from more than one theorist. Here’s your chance to engage in that practice.
Play around and see what you come up with. Most importantly, have fun.

Papers should be between 4 and 6 pages in length. Your essay should be between 4
and 6 pages in length. Your papers should be well cited and refer to at least 4
concepts. Summarize and explain the relevant theoretical concepts and their meaning
as they relate to your argument and/or analysis. I will be looking for a clear
argument, familiarity with relevant material, and a robust analysis (application of
concept to a specific example; employing sociological concepts and theories to
answer 'why'?)