sociology

SOC 160: Midterm Exam

Instructions:

• Answer ONE prompt from FOUR parts of the exam below. You will answer a total of four

questions. You may skip one of the five parts. Make sure you fully answer all parts of the

prompts you choose.

• Label each of your responses with your prompt selection (e.g., Part II, Prompt B).

• Each response should be 1-2 pages in length (double-spaced, 1” margins, Times New

Roman or Calibri font in size 11 or 12). Your completed exam should be a minimum of

four pages and a maximum of eight pages in length.

• You are required to refer to the textbook and/or other required readings at least once in

each response. You may optionally refer to other sources (e.g., reliable news sources).

• Include in-text citations to document your sources (e.g., Leon-Guerrero, p. 74). Include a

bibliography page if you cite any sources beyond the assigned course readings.

• You may use your textbook, other required readings, lecture slides, notes, and outside

materials during the exam. There is no time limit to complete the exam.

• You may not discuss the exam with other students or collaborate with other students

during the exam. All work must be completed independently.

• Upload your responses to Blackboard within one week.

Choose FOUR of the five parts below. Complete either prompt A or B for each part.

Part I: Defining Social Problems

A. The latest Gallup Most Important Problem poll ranks immigration as the second most

cited problem for the country. Over time, there has been significant fluctuation in how

likely people are to name this issue as one of the nation’s top problems. (See poll data

here: https://news.gallup.com/poll/237389/immigration-surges-top-important-

problem-list.aspx) Explain the process through which immigration has come to be

defined as a social problem. Use the framework(s) described by one or both of the

following to structure your response: Spector and Kituse 1987 (mentioned in Chapter 1

of the textbook) and/or Blumer, Social Problems as Collective Behavior (on Blackboard).

B. Using what you know about the functionalist, conflict, and interactionist perspectives,

apply each to the issue of disability. What questions would each ask about this social

problem? How would each explain the persistence of inequality based on disability?

Refer to concepts/processes related to other forms of inequality and provide real world

examples to support your response.

Part II: Social Class

A. Describe one specific idea for combatting poverty in the United States. Using one or

more sociological perspectives, explain what specific problem your plan will address and

how that problem stems from class-based inequalities. Describe who would be

responsible for implementing your suggested solution. Evaluate the social constraints

that might create barriers to the implementation of your plan.

B. Identify the two federal antipoverty programs that support financial assistance for the

elderly and describe the purpose of each. Using at least one sociological perspective,

explain how each program attempts to address age-related inequalities. Assess how

effective these programs have been in addressing age-related inequalities and evaluate

any shortcomings in the programs.

Part III: Race

A. Using one or more of the sociological perspectives, explain how people of certain races

and ethnicities are bestowed power and privileges that are not given to other groups.

Identify at least two specific examples of racial privilege and describe the consequences

of each. What societal barriers must be overcome in order to confront these

inequalities?

B. Explain the difference between individual discrimination and institutional

discrimination. Describe at least two specific examples of institutional discrimination –

including one example of de jure racial inequality and one example of de facto racial

inequality. Which sociological perspective best explains how institutional racial

discrimination persists?

Part IV: Gender

A. Describe how the gender role socialization process shapes and reinforces our beliefs

about the differences between men and women. How does gender socialization change

during the life course? Identify at least three different stages in the life course and

explain which agent(s) of socialization most affect one’s gender socialization during that

stage of life.

B. What are the consequences of occupational sex segregation? Explain the difference

between horizontal segregation and vertical segregation and provide examples of each.

Describe what could be done to address each and assess which you think is easier to

address and why.

Part V: Sexual Orientation

A. Using one or more of the sociological perspectives, describe heterosexism and explain

how it contributes to social inequality. Identify at least two specific examples of

institutional heterosexism and explain the consequences of each. What action would be

necessary to address and rectify these examples of inequality?

B. What protections currently exist to prevent employment discrimination against LGBTQ

individuals at the federal level? In the state of Kansas? Evaluate the legality of

employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as

compared to other characteristics such as race, sex, and/or religion. On October 8, 2019,

the Supreme Court heard arguments in three cases related to LGBTQ employment

discrimination. Explain the social implications of these court cases.