Discussion

https://openstax.org/details/books/introduction-sociology-2e

1. On page 10 of our text it states, “Since ancient times, people have been fascinated by the relationship between individuals and the societies to which they belong. Many topics studied in modern sociology were also studied by ancient philosophers in their desire to describe an ideal society, including theories of social conflict, economics, social cohesion, and power…”

1. I’d like for us to use our sociological imagination. C. Wright Mills (a famous sociologist) described the sociological imagination as: “the vivid awareness of the relationship between personal experience and the wider society”. Choose one social problem (such as: abortion, bullying, alcoholism, date rape, capital punishment/death penalty, racism, poverty, eating disorders, etc.) and describe, in your ideal society, how you would combat your selected issue to solve it. Describe the experience of those affected by the social problem and how their experience would be shifted through the changes made in your ideal society. (15 points)

2. Go into more depth within your chosen social problem. Examine your selected social problem and theorize why your social problem exists in the first place. Which sociological theory do you identify most with as you describe your social problem (see page 15 of your text/figure 1.7 & table 1.2). Why? (10 points)

2.  Our text discusses how the term ‘social interaction’ is the way in which people react and respond to one another. These social interactions shape the way we view the world around us. When we consider the different areas of our life where we find ourselves interacting with others, we consider primary and secondary groups we are a part of. For this assignment, I would like for you to consider the primary groups.

In thinking through the primary groups you are a part of (these groups are generally small enough to carry face-to-face interactions, have an emotional depth of relationships, and are cooperative) try to examine your role in each of these groups. A group is a number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations – who interact with one another. For this assignment, I would like for you to:

1. Identify at least three groups you belong to. (If you are unsure if you are describing a ‘group’ please refer to our Chapter 6 of our textbook) (5 pts)

2. Describe the different role(s) you play from group to group…(how does your role change? Can you change role(s) within the group? What sort of ‘ranking’ system does your group ascribe?) (10 pts)

3. After defining and describing the in-groups (a group where you feel that you belong) that you are associated with, think of three out-groups (groups that you feel you do NOT belong to) and describe what variables keep you from being a part of those said groups. (10 pts)