SOCIOLOGY

Florida State University

Sociology Department

SYG 1000 Introduction to Sociology

Dr. Gloria T. Lessan

Study Guide Questions #1

CAVEAT: The following questions are a guideline to study the assigned materials and lecture notes in preparation for the first midterm exam. These questions are not a contract that defines the test.

Study-Guide Questions

All assigned readings and lectures are potential exam materials. To facilitate the learning process, you will be given a set of study-guide questions to work on before each test. There are four-study guide questions (one for each exam). Answer these questions in your own words and cover all parts of each question. Do not google or copy-and-paste answers from sources other than your own brain. Answering in your own words will help you understand the material and thus, meet the course objectives.

The questions are in essay format, cover the materials from different angles, relate issues in a way that complement the text, and hopefully, enable you to grow a sociological imagination.

SUBMIT ONLY ANSWERS on Turnitin!!

1. Describe the reasoning of the “sociological imagination,” sociology, manifest functions, latent functions, social structure, functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interaction, social forces, class struggle, capitalism, social order, social change, capitalist class, working class, division of labor, bureaucracy, social integration, feminist theory, anomie, communism, alienation, and “disenchantment with the world” or extreme rationality.

2. Show how the pioneering work of Emile Durkheim on suicide helps to reveal the influence of social patterns in the actions of individuals. Now, write an account of the reasons you have for taking this class. Consider, then, the possible “deeper” social reasons underlying this decision (use your sociological imagination).

3. Which theory has been influenced by the views of Comte, Spencer, Durkheim, and Merton? Make sure to refer in your account to the notions of social order, social solidarity, social structure, anomie, division of labor, and functional interdependence. (Tie in R&WM, Ch. 1, Ch. 2, and “Supplemental Readings Module1 posted on Canvas)

4. Write an essay on the major points of Marx’s conflict view of society. In your essay, focus on the nature of capitalism, the causes of worker alienation, and the social forces that in Marx’s view, lead to the development of a communist society. What components in Marx’s analysis seem to be correct and which seem to be wrong? (See R&WM, Ch.1 and 2 and your lecture notes on conflict/Marxist theory). Explain the arguments of contemporary theories (critical, feminist, queer) spawned from conflict theory.

5. Describe the three major sociological paradigms in terms of their assumptions, main arguments, research questions, strengths and weaknesses. (Tie in R&WM, Ch. 2 with Word documents posted on Canvas Module 1)

6. Who are the main thinkers identified with each major paradigm? What were their contributions to their respective theory? (Tie in R&WM, Ch.1 and 2 with chart on “Selected Philosophical and Social Antecedents of Sociology” posted on Canvas *Supplemental Readings Module 1)

7. Explain the statement: “all Marxist theory is conflict theory but not all conflict theory is Marxist.” (See R&WM pp 42-47, Checkpoint 2.1, 2.3, and Table 2.1)

8. Compare and contrast the three main sociological paradigms in terms of their assumptions, main arguments, research questions, strengths and weaknesses.

9. In what ways are structural functionalism and conflict paradigms different? In what ways are they similar? Are conflict and consensus in society mutually exclusive as the theories suggest? Is there a best theory? Explain the reasons for our answer (see “Comparisons among Sociological Theories” (Word document) posted on *Supplemental Readings Module 1 posted on Canvas)

10. How would each paradigm explain sports in the United States? Use your sociological imagination to explain the arts.

11. Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx and Max Weber independently saw modern society as a problematic milieu for human existence i.e. anomie and alienation. Yet, some prescribe different methods for ameliorating the problems. Compare and contrast their suggestions for reducing anomie and alienation.

12. Describe the concepts of anomie, alienation and “extreme rationality.” Include in your answer the sociologist who coined the particular problem, and the cause and solution to each.

13. Describe in few sentences the arguments of symbolic interaction, dramaturgy, ethnomethodology, exchange. What is similar and different among dramaturgy, exchange, and ethnomethodology relative to symbolic interaction? (See R&WM, Ch 1, and 2)

14. Describe the contributions to sociological thought by Comte, Spencer, Marx, Weber, Durkheim, G.H. Mead, Cooley, Du Bois, and Martineau. (See R&WM, Ch. 1, 2, and 5)

15. How does science differ from other forms of knowledge? (Tie in R&WM, Ch. 3 and PowerPoint presentation posted on *Supplemental Readings Module 2 posted on Canvas)

16. Define and illustrate the elements of scientific research: concepts, variables, and measurement. See PowerPoint on this topic

17. Describe the stages of the scientific method. See R&WM, Ch.3 and *Supplemental Readings Module 2

18. Distinguish between dependent and independent variable, cause and effect, correlation and spurious relationship, reliability and validity of measurement, cross-sectional and longitudinal research, micro-level and macro-level of analysis, surveys and non-survey methods. Give examples of each concept above.

19. What kinds of techniques/methods might a researcher select for studying a sociological question? What research advantage does each technique offer over the others? What factors influence the selection of the research method to use? (See *Supplemental Readings Module 2 “Selected Advantages and Disadvantages among Research Techniques” Word.doc posted on Canvas)

20. Describe in your own words three advantages and disadvantages of each research method. See *Supplemental Readings Module 2 “Selected Advantages/Disadvantages among Research Techniques” WORD.doc posted on Canvas

21. What is the meaning of objective sociology? (see R&WM, Ch.3, p. 78). What do Durkheim, Marx, and Weber say on this regard? (See *Supplemental Readings Module 1“Comparison among Theoretical Paradigms” WORD.doc posted on Canvas)

22. Briefly describe major issues for debate when conducting, interpreting, and using sociological research (see R&WM, Ch.3, pp:72-79)

23. Find the similarities and differences, if any, among the following concepts: material culture, non-material culture, cultural relativity, ethnocentrism, ideal culture, real culture, popular culture, upper-class culture, cultural universals, cultural diversity, culture shock, subculture, counterculture, norms, social control, folkways, mores, laws, sanctions, symbols, language, values and beliefs, and sociobiology. (See R&WM, Ch. 4, Ch. 5 pp: 123-128 and *Supplemental Readings Module 3, Synoptic chart on “Society: Culture and Structure” posted on Canvas)

24. Give examples of the concepts listed in question 23.

25. Are values consistent? Contradictory? In conflict? (Hint: think in terms of the multiple status and roles we have that lead to strains and conflict)

26. Compare and contrast the notions of assimilation, subculture, countercultures, ethnocentrism, cultural relativism, and multiculturalism (see R&WM, Ch 4, pp:89-97).

27. Define the basic elements of social structure. How many statuses can an individual occupy? How many roles can an individual play? How many groups can an individual belong to? Are these structural sets harmonious or conflictive? (See R&WM, Ch4 and 5)

28. How are status and roles linked? What distinguishes achieved from ascribed status? What is the difference between role strain and role conflict? Illustrate these differences. See R&WM, Ch. 5 pp:123-129

29. Define and illustrate with examples the concepts of ascribed status, achieved status, master status, role conflict, role strain, status set, role set, role exit, groups, networks, social institutions: family, education, religion, media, economy, and polity, degradation ceremony, and total institution. See R&WM, Ch 5 pp: 123-129

30. Give examples of above concepts drawing from your experiences.