Reference no: EM132235781

DISCUSSION 1

This discussion is designed to help acquaint you with the field of sociology. After you have read the reading assignment and lecture for the week, please respond to all parts of the discussion by the due date assigned:

• Identify the four major sociological theoretical paradigms. For each, what are the key tenets? How does each explain how society works?

• Which paradigm do you relate to best? How can you use this particular paradigm to explain your decision to attend college?

• Which of the four major research methods would you use, and how, to explore why adult students choose to return to college? What are the benefits and flaws of the particular method you chose for your imaginary study?

DISCUSSION 2

During this second week, we will focus upon the concept of culture and all its components. After you have read the reading assignment and lecture for this week, please respond to all parts of the discussion by the due date assigned:

• What are the top ten American values as found in the text? Which ones do you embrace and why? Are there any you reject, and if so, why? What three values would you add to the list if you could? Why are the values you would add not already in the top ten?

• What are five symbols that represent America? Do they also represent other components of culture, such as material objects or values?

• Consider the concept of cultural lag. Identify two American values that are "lagging." What are three norms that are lagging? How does cultural lagging relate to the Westernization that is happening in other countries?

DISCUSSION 3

• Compare and contrast George Herbert Mead's and Charles Horton Cooley's theories of human development. Why are these theories part of the symbolic interactionist paradigm?

• List and describe the key agents of socialization. How did each agent shape and influence your life? Which of these agents has been the most important in your life?

• Look in the South University Online library and the Internet for information on "Feral Children." Define feral children and explain why sociologists use feral children to support their arguments of the importance of socialization.

DISCUSSION 4

• Review the Asch's Research. Describe why the individuals in the Asch experiment usually gave the same answer when they probably knew that it was wrong. How do social control and social bonding explain conformity?

• While the pressure to conform is intense, people continue to deviate. Using either Merton's Strain Theory or Becker's Labeling Theory, explain why some people choose to become deviant.

• Finally, major crimes occur in our society. Pick a current event (local or national) and describe the crime. Analyze the crime in terms of Durkheim's four major functions of deviance.

DISCUSSION 5

Write a 1500-word paper using APA standards that focuses on the following: Interview two different individuals regarding their positions in society. Analyze their responses regarding:

1. Identify each person's class, race, and gender, supporting your work with the text and/or outside resources.

2. What role has class, race, and gender played in their lives? How do you see these stratifiers as playing a role, even if the interviewee is unaware of it?

3. Apply one of the sociological perspectives to the individuals' lives. Why did you choose this particular perspective? How does it explain each person's life and life choices?

4. What are some of the benefits and limitations to using interview as a research methodology?

5. Analyze each person's specific components of culture and relate them to his/her stratified position in society.