Introduction to Business and Society 2 essay for test

Introduction to Business and Society 2015-16 AP/SOSC 1340/1349 A and B

Test 1 STUDY GUIDE Exam Date: Thurs. Oct. 22 (B) or Fri. 23 (A) Location: In Lecture Duration: 90 minutes Value: 30 out of 150 marks Part I: Terms—1 paragraph each (10 marks for each term) NOTE: 9 out of the following 12 terms will appear on the test. You will write on 5 of them (for a total out of 50 marks) Instructions: Reference must be made to at least one of the course texts: explain how the author defines the concept; examine its meaning and significance in the text; and relate this to a social issue of importance to the study of ‘business and society’. Modernity Gemeinschaft/Gesellschaft Sociological Imagination Social Science Authority Mythistory Division of Labour Dominant/Counter Ideology The ‘Economic Problem’ Capital/Wage Labour Reciprocity Fictitious Commodities Part II: ONE Essay (50 marks) Note: 2 of the following 3 essay topics will appear on the test. You will write on one of them. Instructions: You will need to begin your essays with a proper introduction, including a thesis statement. Draw on at least two of the readings, pay specific attention to identifying and defining central concepts, and provide illustrations (from the lectures, tutorial, and films) where possible.

1. The dominant view identifies ‘economics’ with markets, money and exchange. How does Heilbroner’s concept of the ‘economic problem’ challenge this view? Explore the different dimensions of this problem and elaborate on the ‘traditional’ solution using Polanyi’s non-market principles of economic organization.

2. Does the division of labour lead to the wealth of nations or the misery of the

working class? Compare and contrast Smith and Marx’s view on this concept and how it increases the productivity of labour. Pay specific attention to what happens to the ‘surplus’ and the social consequences of the division of labour in capitalist society.

3. Using the concepts of legal-rational, traditional and charismatic authority, compare

and contrast how authority works in institutions and relations characterized by ‘gemeinschaft’ and ‘gesellschaft’ respectively. Pay specific attention to how legal- rational authority works in modern bureaucracies.