Sociology

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Sociology Questions and Answers

Explain why "social location" might be an important concept in sociology.

How is sociology helpful for a teacher?

What are the twelve core values in US society identified by sociologist Robin Williams?

What are some examples of sociological concepts?

What is a social lens? Do things like racial or cultural identity count as social lenses?

Why is sociological research necessary? Why is relying on personal knowledge alone not enough to help us clearly understand events in our daily lives?

Is modernization is good or bad? Explain, using examples. The definition of modernization: (1) the process that increases the amount of specialization and differentiation of structure in societies, (2) the process of social change begun by industrialization.

How does sociology help us to better understand how our own society functions?

What are the types of intergroup relationships in sociology?

Outline and assess the distinction that C. Wright Mills makes between personal troubles and public issues.

What are the effects of rural depopulation?

How is the American Dream characteristic of American ideals and philosophy? What are the differences between the materialistic and the idealistic values associated with the American Dream?

What is an example in which status differentials may exempt a person from following group norms?

Evaluate the view that practical factors are the most important factors influencing choice of research method and topic in sociology.

Why might a person’s values and traditions shift from the ones they were raised with?

Apply Stuart Hall’s reception theory to an example of popular music culture by paying attention to differing encoded and decoded meanings in a piece of popular music.

Given the opening of Chaplin's Modern Times: 1.  Discuss at least five of the following concepts using the video, and the "Big Three" sociological approaches (Structural-Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic-Interactionism).   - job satisfaction - alienation - self actualization - job autonomy - continuous process autonomy - inverted U curve of technology and alienation - bullying - job stress - role strain - role conflict - comparison group - social stratification  (age, gender, race, ethnicity, hierarchy, and social status) - job-worker fit - intrinsic rewards - extrinsic rewards - commitment - resistance and sabotage - social control 3.  Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times was made over 75 years ago in 1936, during the height of the Great Depression.  Today, we are again going through difficult economic times.   - Give your definition of meaningful work,  - Compare how meaningful work has has changed over the last 75 years, and -  Predict at least possible changes in the workplace are taking place or may take place in the future, - Describe at least one unintended consequence of one of these changes.

What role does ritual and ceremony play in life transitions?

What is post-subcultural theory, and why is it important in understanding religion and popular culture?

How were the components of the sociological perspective defined by C. Wright Mills?

Sociological Perspective

Name five different cultures/subcultures in the United States.

What is the sociological function of laws? How do they define crime and criminal behavior? Discuss a current example to contextualize the response.

Why do you think people are moving away from rural areas towards urban areas?

What are the social issues for agriculture? 

How do the different sociological perspectives feel about cultural diversity?

What are the pull factors that attract people to move to urban areas?

Discuss the importance of modernity. Why is modernity important to sociologists?

How is a sociological perspective different from someone's personal perspective?

Homan and Blau suggest that, in calculating the potential profits derived from interacting with others, individuals attempt to establish a position of dominance. As such, maximizing our own benefits is contingent on having others dependent on us for the rewards they seek. Do you think this motive characterizes all relationships? If not, what other consideration might guide our interaction with others? What types of relationships are more likely to generate such considerations?  

How does the symbolic interactionism theory affect the social change within the family institution? How does the symbolic interactionism theory affect the views of the individual who is part of the family institution?

How could sociological ideas or concepts explain poverty? 

Describe sexuality from the sociological perspective, and describe how sociologists view the relationship between transgender identity and society. 

What is the sociological imagination?

How can knowing about a region or culture help you understand a story? 

Explain the nuclear family.

What is the difference between age strata, age groups, and cohorts? 

Explain why functionalists think deviance and crime provide a number of societal benefits. Then, explain why you agree or disagree with this perspective, providing examples to support your position.    

Why does Kottak prefer to speak of sociopolitical organization considering how anthropologists have traditionally differed from political scientists in their approach to the political?

How does cultural deprivation tie into the functionalist view in education?

How can sociological perspective be considered as particularly important for second language planning?

What was Auguste Comte's connection to other sociologists?

What are the most important sociological insights that students can gain from from sociology courses?

What happens if we don't use cultural relativism when we experience a new culture?

How does free market capitalism benefit from privatized prisons, and why is this relevant for sociological analysis?

What advantages are there in looking at the world through the lens of the sociological imagination?

Discuss how Pierre Bourdieu's theories could be used to analyze power and inequality in society.

McDonaldization What are the principles of McDonaldization not just in business life, but also in areas of life like family and schools. Then you can say whether you like it or do not.

Please answer the following questions                                                -...

How do you define sociology?