QUestions

W.7. "Religion and Politics"

Please respond to one (1) of the following:

According to the textbook, sociologists use the religious economy approach or a business perspective to describe religions as organizations competing with each other for followers. Speculate on the relation between the religious economy approach and the trend of more adults becoming nonaffiliated with any religion.

According to the textbook, U.S. voter participation has decreased over the years. Review Figures 13.4, 13.5, and 13.6 on pages 334 to 335 of the textbook, and go to the U.S. Census’ Website located at http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/elections/voting-age_population_and_voter_participation.html  to research the percentage of voter participation by age, education, race, or ethnicity in the last presidential election for your state. Describe the major effect(s) that you believe the percentage of voter participation has on your community in terms of changes in policies. Justify your response.

W.8. "Public Health"

During outbreak of Ebola in West Africa in 2014, many U.S. healthcare workers and military members were exposed to the contagious disease (see the New York Times’ article, “Ebola-Infected Health Care Worker in Dallas Took a Flight on Monday” for an example, located at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/16/us/ebola-infected-dallas-health-worker-was-on-flight.html?%20Here%20is%20an%20article%20for%20the%20military%20_r=0). Use the Internet to locate one to two (1-2) other articles about this particular Ebola outbreak. Discuss your initial reaction to the news of the outbreak, citing one (1) article about the outbreak. Explain the effect that this has had on your current perception about public health policy.

W.9. "Terrorism and the City"

Terrorism is a continuing threat to national security. Use the Internet to research one (1) terrorist attack in the U.S. within the past 20 years (e.g., the attacks on 9/11, bombing of the Boston Marathon, etc.). Explain the major effects that this attack had on American society in terms of a sense of urgency and personal responsibility. Describe the sociological theory that best explains terrorism in America.