SOC 102 Principles Of Sociology GCU Full Course

SOC 102 All Weeks Discussions

SOC 102 Topic 1 DQ 1

In Our social world: An introduction to sociology, look up the definition of Sociology. Write at least four keywords that correspond best to the definition of Sociology. Explain the goal of Sociology. Share with the class why you want to study Sociology?

SOC 102 Topic 1 DQ 2

Define the concept of Sociological Imagination. Provide an example of how you would apply the Sociological Imagination to a current social issue within society such as racial conflict and law enforcement, or education funding. What is your perspective on the issue if you use the Sociological Imagination?

SOC 102 Topic 2 DQ 1

Compare and contrast material and nonmaterial culture. Provide examples of both from your life.

SOC 102 Topic 2 DQ 2

Are we prisoners of socialization – yes or no? If you answer yes, how do you explain the fact that we think of ourselves as having choices and free will? If you say no, how do you explain the fact that in almost every way, we conform to what society expects of us? (We wear clothes, we drive on the right-hand side of the road, we go to college, we don’t – usually – go around stealing things, killing people, or breaking most of the laws of society.) Discuss this question with a friend, then post your response as well as how your friend’s opinion was similar or different than your own.

SOC 102 Topic 3 DQ 1

Using the three major sociological theories, explain each theoretical perspective on deviance. Then compare and contrast the role deviance plays in society according to the theories. Use Figure 5.1 in Our social world: An introduction to sociology as an aid to answer this DQ.

SOC 102 Topic 3 DQ 2

Merton believed that deviance was the result of tension between the cultural goals or aspirations held out to the larger society, and the approved means of attaining those goals. Do you agree or disagree with this theoretical perspective? Providing examples to back up your statement.

SOC 102 Topic 4 DQ 1

Provide two examples of statuses and roles you inhabit. Explain what statuses and roles produce for the social person, and thus, for you.

SOC 102 Topic 4 DQ 2

Select three societal tasks from Chart 6-1 in Our Social World: An Introduction to Sociology – chapter 6, and explain how the related social institution performs the societal task. Can an argument be made as to the most important task? Share your thoughts with the class.

SOC 102 Topic 5 DQ 1

Compare and contrast Davis and Moore’s functionalist perspective of social stratification with Mosca’s conflict perspective of social stratification. After your comparison, indicate which theory you agree with and why?

SOC 102 Topic 5 DQ 2

Through research, find an example of issues related to two of the three organizing principles of stratification in the United States (class, race, and gender). How are individuals stratified based on each of the two principles you chose? Provide citations for the sources you use. An example of an issue related to gender is the pay gap between men and women.

SOC 102 Topic 6 DQ 1

Name four social negatives and four social positives concerning gentrification. If you or someone you know have experienced gentrification, share their experience and what was the effect of gentrification.

SOC 102 Topic 6 DQ 2

Explain the difference between Modernization Theory, Dependency Theory, and World Systems Theory. Then select the theory that best explains social change and why.

SOC 102 Topic 7 DQ 1

How do structural-functionalist, feminists, and symbolic interactionists differ in their analysis of the family? Provide your conclusion as to the perspective that provides the fullest understanding of the family.

SOC 102 Topic 7 DQ 2

Go to YouTube.com and find the video on the coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth. What type of authority is demonstrated by the video? What type of authority does our President have? Which authority would you rather live under, traditional or rational-legal, and why?

SOC 102 All Weeks Assignments

SOC 102 Topic 4 Bureaucracy Essay

Details:

The goal of this assignment is for you to use your life experience as data to understand the nature and function of a bureaucracy.

In an essay of 1,000 words, describe an organization with which you are familiar and which appears to fit the characteristics of a bureaucracy, as listed in Our Social World: An Introduction to Sociology – chapter 6.

Your essay should incorporate the five items listed below and show that the organization bureaucracy meets each characteristic:

Clear hierarchical levels of authority with the work assignments flowing downward
A division of labor
Written rules
Written communications and records
Impersonality and replaceability

Conclude your essay with a paragraph that describes some ways in which this organization may be dysfunctional because of the bureaucratic way in which it is operated.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a scoring guide. Please review the scoring guide prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

SOC102.BureaucracyEssay.ONL.Scoring Guide.docx

SOC 102 Topic 5 Social Stratification Analysis

Details:

This writing assignment has two parts with a combined word count of 1,000-1,500 words.

Part One

Complete a comparative analysis of stratification systems.
Choose at least three stratification systems. One must be the class system.
Describe the social mobility of each stratification system.
Explain how individuals are sorted within the systems.

Part Two

View the charts and graphs in Our Social World: An Introduction to Sociology, chapter 8
Compare males by race, class, and education with Females by race, class, and education.
What do you find by doing this analysis? What do your findings show about stratification between these groups?
Describe which gender and race category has the most power and why.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. This assignment uses a scoring guide. Please review the scoring guide prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

SOC102Social Stratification Analysis.Scoring Guide (1).docx

SOC 102 Topic 6 Theoretical Perspectives Essay

Details:

The text discusses “Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology” in chapter 2. As a student, you sociologically view the world in a particular way. Do you see the world as a place where things simply “work out” (structural functionalism), or is it constantly in conflict (conflict theory)? Perhaps you see the world primarily as a place that is about relationships between people (symbolic interactionism).

Write an essay (750-1,000 words) that addresses the following:

Define and explain the three ways to view the world “sociologically.”
Identify which sociological perspective (structural functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism) most closely represents your view of the world. Describe the factors that have caused you to view the world through that perspective, such as personal experience in our society, popular culture, media, etc. In addition, use an example from world events that demonstrates evidence of your theory. Briefly explain why you did not choose each of the other two perspectives being careful to demonstrate that you understand the other perspectives.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.