Degas, Portrait de M. Duranty

Summary - Response & Discussion Topics

Unit 2: What is Sociology: The Search for Social Patterns

Summary - Response Papers:

You will complete four (4) brief summary-response papers during the semester – due dates are listed on the course calendar. Your paper should be roughly 750 - 1,000 words –roughly three to three-and-one-half typed pages (12 point font). You may only choose 1 assignment from each "batch/block of units" of the class: one SR paper from units 1 through 3; one SR paper from units 4 through 6; one SR paper from units 7 through 10; one SR paper from units 11 through 14.

These writing assignments are to be submitted through Canvas. Click on "Assignments" located in the left hand panel on the course page. Next, click on the appropriate Unit - i.e., if you are choosing to submit a paper from this unit - click on unit 2 under Assignments. After clicking on Unit 2 you will see a Turnitin Assignment Inbox where you will submit/upload your paper.

Discussion Topics

Taking part in class discussions, though not mandatory, will let you earn "bonus points" that can add up to a full letter grade to your final grade for the course.

To contribute, click on "Discussions" located in the left hand panel on Canvas. Next, choose a discussion topic for this unit, click on it, read the prompt, and click on "Reply." Be sure that you add your name. For more sinformation on how to submit your comments and/or engage in the online class discussion, go to the "Frequently Asked Questions" page.

 

 

 

Summary - Response Options for Unit 2

This exercise will indicate where you fall in a political ideology typology developed by the Pew Research Center and have you think about the differences between the groups identified, the social factors that have affected others and your political stance, and the potential consequences that might follow when it comes to thinking about social problems.

Complete the Pew research Center's Political Typology Quiz. After completing the quiz you will be placed in one of 9 different groups, given a brief description of the general beliefs and attitudes of those in your category and shown how you compare to the general public.

You are to answer the following three questions. The first question, which is purely descriptive, is worth 10% of your grade. The second question, which involves more analysis, is worth 40% of your grade. The third question, by far the most important, is worth the remaining 50% of your grade.

1. Describe the typology group you have been placed in. Who did they support in the last presidential election? What are some of their social background characteristics? What positions do they typically take on key issues? How does this compare with the general public? Are your test results consistent with your self-identification? If not, how do you account for the differences?

2. Next, you will explore the differences between the views of members of the various typology groups by clicking on "Dig Deeper and see How the Political Typology Groups Compare." First, click on "Demographics" which is located near the bottom of the column on the left-hand side of the page. Explore how the various typological groups compare when it comes to gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, income, and party. What three patterns seemed to fit well with your understanding of the political differences between these different categories of people? What three patterned differences surprised you - and tell me why? Next, choose two other categories that are listed - Race, Religion and Social Issues, Foreign Policy, Government, Views of U.S. & Economy, or Politics & Elections - and, using the pull-down menus attached to your choice, as before, tell me what three patterns seemed to fit well with your understanding of political differences and what three patterned differences surprised you - and tell me why?

3. Third - and this is the most important part of your response - explain HOW each of the following "social factors" - parents, peers, social class, sex, age, race, education, geographical area - have affected your ideological position? Be certain to address each of these factors.

[Please note that the question doesn't ask you "if" these factors have affected your political attitudes - it is assumed that they do. The question is "how" has each made an impact on your political attitude/ideology.]

 

Discussion Topics
These are posted in the "Discussions" Section in Canvas

 1. As stressed in the lecture, sociology seeks to uncover social patterns, explain how and why they developed and their consequences for future action and behavior. Deborah Tannen, examining how both men and women "talk," believes that fundamental differences exist - that there are distinct "genderlects." This was also illustrated in the Friends video where Ross and Rachel's first kiss is described quite differently by each. Do you agree or disagree with Tannen's argument? Can you think of other differences (i.e., do women gossip more than men?). Please provide examples that support your position.

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2. In a cosmic sense, each day – each twenty-four hour period that corresponds to the earth rotating on its axis – is precisely the same as any other day. But each “day” has a different socially constructed “feel” to it that imposes a rhythmic beat on the vast array of our social activities, including work, love, and play. Why do you think suicide rates are highest on Mondays, yet lowest on weekends? Why do dates on Wednesday night “count” less than those on Saturday nights? What are the different meanings that you attach to the days of the week and how do the days of the week impose a rhythmic beat on the vast array of our social activities, including work, love, and play?

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3. We typically account for why someone acts as a "snob" or engages in "gossip" by using psychological explanations and/or personality defects. Yet each of these is a distinctively "social act" and is greatly affected by all sorts of social factors. Do you think that age, sex, social class, race, or geographical location affect the likelihood that someone would engage in such behavior? Using concrete examples drawn from your personal life, discuss how they might contribute to this behavior.