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Not surprisingly, the most effective responses to discussion questions well-exceed the minimum. The minimum length for each of your replies to classmates in order to earn any credit is 150 words. 

JUSTIN’S POST:

Section A

     Durkheim highlights many interesting points in his work. In this week's reading, I picked out what I believed were the major ideas in each section. In  The Rules of Sociological Method, Durkheim proposed the concept of social facts, that is, the things existing independent of individuals but exert control over them. Examples are norms, values, laws, and institutions. Social facts for Durkheim constitute the object of sociological study since they shape the behavior of each separate individual and form the basis upon which society as a whole exists. He insists that these facts be treated as "things," that is, they must be studied objectively and empirically, independent of the personal beliefs or biases of the researcher. It is this principle that constitutes the basis of Durkheim's scientific approach to sociology, which fundamentally differentiates sociology from other disciplines, such as psychology, which focuses on the individual (Garner and Hancock, 201, p. 76-78). 

     In the Excerpts from  Suicide, Durkheim applies the methodology to the concept of anomie, a state in which people become disconnected through the breakdown of social norms; hence, leading to feelings of pointlessness or disorientation. This state arises with periods of sudden social or economic change which disturb established norms and values as individuals lose the clear sense of what to do. For Durkheim, such unregulated experience would undermine the integration of individuals into society via social bonding; hence, increasing the probability for such behaviors like suicide. Indeed, he does illustrate how unexpected prosperity or sudden crisis of economy makes for an anomic setting due to people struggling to adapt with new situations when guided social structure is lacking or stable. By pointing to anomie, Durkheim shows how even an apparently very personal act depends on larger societal influences and the extent of normative regulation within a community (Garner and Hancock, 2014 p. 79-86) 

     In  The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, Durkheim turns his attention to religion as a fundamental social institution. He claims that religion is not a system of ideas about the supernatural, but a corpus of practices and symbols that provide social solidarity. Based on his study of totemism in Indigenous Australian societies, Durkheim argued that religious rituals and symbols symbolize the collective conscience of society, reinforcing social values and norms. Religion is thus both a reflection of and a force for social solidarity. Even in modern societies, where the traditional religions may die away, new forms of collective representation will be developed to carry out this indispensable function (Garner and Hancock, 2014, p. 86-90). 

Section B

     Applying Durkheim's ideas to crime in modern America, I found several topics that correlate to the concepts he proposed. One idea by Durkheim about social facts helps explain how the norms and values of society mold criminal behavior. Crime in itself can be viewed as one social fact since it occurs in all societies and is caused by forces of the collective rather than individual psychology. High rates of violent crime and mass incarceration in modern America are not a problem of individual choice but are imbedded in deep-seated structural problems of poverty, racial inequality, and breakdowns in community structures. For instance, the work of Robert Sampson and William Julius Wilson on social disorganization theory showed that neighborhoods characterized by high levels of economic deprivation and weakened social networks reported higher crime rates (Sampson & Wilson, 1995). Such conditions reflect the influence of social facts in that they shape the environment within which individuals make decisions. 

     Anomie, however, has a special applicability to explaining types of criminality in American life, especially those types that are somehow related to the issues of economic inequality and rapid social change. Anomie arises where the rules of society are unable to guide behavior, resulting in feelings of dislocation and instability. In the United States, increasing rates of income and wealth disparity combined with a strong emphasis on individual success support an environment of perceived exclusion from attaining goals through social or legitimate methods. Building from Durkheim, Robert Merton's strain theory suggests that social emphasis placed on material achievement without providing the means to attain said goals results in the deviance of individuals from mainstream culture and criminality of its members (Merton, 1938). This can be seen through white-collar crime's prevalence among those seeking to maintain status and street crime in economically marginalized communities. For example, the opioid crisis could partially be elaborated with the help of anomie-the communities most devastated by an economic downturn lost their sense and regulation that started to balloon into addiction and crimes that accompany it (Quinones, 2015).  

     Another valuable insight into the role of crime in society comes from Durkheim's concept of the collective conscience. Whereas the existence of crime is usually thought to undermine the orderly functioning of society, Durkheim believed that crime actually has a functional role to play in reinforcing societal norms and values. The public response to crime-through collective outrage and the legal system-serves to clarify what constitutes acceptable behavior and to reinforce social solidarity. Contemporary movements like Black Lives Matter have brought attention to the ways crime and justice are negotiated within society, highlighting injustices in policing and incarceration that challenge the collective conscience (Rios, 2011). These movements reflect the evolving nature of societal values, where collective outrage has the potential to redefine norms related to equity and justice. 

Garner, R. & Hancock, B. H. (2014).  Social theory a reader: Continuity and confrontation (3rd ed.). University of Toronto Press. 

Merton, R. K. (1938). Social structure and anomie.  American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672–682. https://doi.org/10.2307/2084686

Quinones, S. (2015).  Dreamland: The true tale of America’s opiate epidemic. Bloomsbury Press.

Rios, V. M. (2011).  Punished: Policing the lives of Black and Latino boys. NYU Press.

Sampson, R. J., & Wilson, W. J. (1995). Toward a theory of race, crime, and urban inequality. In J. Hagan & R. D. Peterson (Eds.),  Crime and inequality (pp. 37–56). Stanford University Press.

SHIMAINE’S POST:

A. 

Durkheim’s concept of social solidarity explains how societies stay connected and cohesive through shared norms and interdependence. In The Division of Labor in Society, he identifies two types of solidarity: mechanical and organic. Mechanical solidarity exists in traditional societies where people share common values and a collective conscience. On the other hand, organic solidarity is found in modern, industrial societies where specialization and the division of labor lead people to rely on one another. Durkheim points out that diversity in modern societies can still work with solidarity as long as institutions provide a moral framework to guide behavior. In The Rules of Sociological Method, he emphasizes the importance of collective norms in maintaining stability: "It is impossible for all to be alike... among these divergences, there are some with a criminal character" (Durkheim, 1895, p. 77). These differences aren’t inherently bad, but they need to be regulated by societal norms to ensure cooperation. Organic solidarity, therefore, works by recognizing individual differences while maintaining a shared moral order. 

Anomie is another powerful idea Durkheim explored, especially in Suicide (1897). Anomie happens when social norms break down, leaving people without clear rules or direction. He explains that "society’s influence is lacking in the basically individual passions, thus leaving them without a check-rein" (Durkheim, in Garner & Hancock, 2014, p. 84-85). This breakdown can leave people feeling disconnected or lost, which is especially common in fast-changing, modern societies. Durkheim believed that this disconnection could lead to serious problems like crime or even higher suicide rates because people lose their sense of purpose and belonging. 

Durkheim also made the bold argument that crime is not just inevitable but necessary for society. In The Rules of Sociological Method (1895), he writes, "Crime is present not only in the majority of societies of one particular species but in all societies of all types" (Durkheim, 1895, p. 76). He believed that crime is normal because "a society exempt from it is utterly impossible" due to individual differences and variations in behavior (Durkheim, 1895, p. 76-77). What’s more, Durkheim saw crime as useful, arguing that "crime sometimes helps to determine the form" of needed societal changes (Durkheim, 1895, p. 77). For example, actions considered criminal, like heresy in medieval times, often paved the way for moral and legal reforms. When societies respond to crime, they reaffirm collective norms, strengthen social cohesion, and adapt to new conditions.

B.

Durkheim’s ideas are still incredibly useful for understanding crime in today’s America. His concept of social solidarity helps explain why some communities experience higher crime rates than others. In neighborhoods where people trust and support one another, crime is less likely because the collective effort to maintain safety is stronger. For example, research by Sampson (2012) shows that communities with high levels of collective efficacy where people share mutual trust and responsibility tend to have lower crime rates. Programs like community policing, which work to rebuild trust between police and residents, directly align with Durkheim’s idea that stronger social connections lead to less crime. 

Anomie also plays a big role in explaining modern crime. When people feel disconnected from society or like they don’t belong, it’s easier for them to drift into deviant behavior. This is exactly what Durkheim described as anomie a breakdown of norms. The opioid crisis is a perfect example of this. When people face job loss or social isolation, they often turn to substances to cope, which can lead to addiction and crime. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2023), areas with high unemployment and weak social connections have significantly higher rates of substance abuse-related crimes. This shows how societal breakdowns can lead to real problems, highlighting the need for policies that strengthen community ties and create opportunities for connection. 

Durkheim’s idea that crime can push society forward is another way his work is relevant today. Think about the Black Lives Matter movement. While protests and civil disobedience might technically be labeled as crimes, they’ve forced people to confront systemic injustices and sparked meaningful conversations about change. Protests against police brutality, for example, have led to policy reforms and increased awareness about racial inequality. This fits perfectly with Durkheim’s view that crime isn’t just destructive, it’s also a way to challenge outdated norms and inspire progress (Durkheim, in Garner & Hancock, 2014, p. 78-79). 

References 

· Garner, R., & Hancock, B. H. (2014).  Social Theory: Continuity and Confrontation (3rd ed.). University of Toronto Press. 

· National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2023, August 2).  Only 1 in 5 U.S. adults with opioid use disorder received medications to treat it in 2021.   https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/08/only-1-in-5-us-adults-with-opioid-use-disorder-received-medications-to-treat-it-in-2021Links to an external site. 

· Sampson, R. J. (2012).  Great American city: Chicago and the enduring neighborhood effect. University of Chicago Press.

PREVIOUS FEEDBACK:

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In this assignment, you discussed innovation, exploitation of workers, and class struggle. All of these are important ideas in the work of Karl Marx. And the information you provided in this initial assignment is accurate. The assignment is also clearly written. However, it is too brief to give you an opportunity to display your understanding of the work of Marx. It barely met the 600-word limit. As noted in the instructions for the assignment 

 

"The minimum length requirement for your responses to the discussion questions in order to earn any credit is 600 words (does not include references). Not surprisingly, the most effective responses to discussion questions well-exceed the minimum. "

 

In moving forward, I need you to present more specific information Incorporated and cited from the course material. You only have a single piece of information in each of the first three paragraphs in Part A. Keep in mind that this course provides you with an opportunity to develop the ability to respond effectively to the questions on the comprehensive exam you will be taking at the end of your program. The more thorough and detailed your responses are to those questions, the more likely you are to have a successful outcome. And remember that when you take the exam you will not have access to notes or any other resources. I posted a sample student discussion question response for everyone to review to give them an idea of what the expectations are regarding successful analyses. Please make sure to review this essay before doing the assignment for next week.

In Part B you demonstrated critical thinking in discussing each of the three concepts in the context of modern American capitalism. You also used information from all three required sources. To improve upon this in your future work I need you to more thoroughly cite the source of the information you present to support your opinion and explain what you mean. For instance, you wrote:

 

"The free market makes it easy for organizations to exploit workers."

 

This is a very good point but you need to tell your readers how the freeness of the market facilitates the exploitation of workers. What is it about the modern free market that allows companies to take advantage of the workers in those companies? Present the information on this and follow it with a citation.

You earned credit for your replies to your classmates. But please keep in mind that to earn the maximum 30 points you must incorporate, cite, and reference at least two pieces of information from the course material in each of your replies, as per the grading rubric.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to connect with me.