Exam 13: Technology, the Environment, and Social Movements

Members of the Dene Nation were hired to transport uranium from the first uranium mine trekking it overland in burlap bags. Information about the dangers of exposure to uranium was withheld and no protective equipment was provided. What do sociologists call this?

Explain the role of communication and travel technologies in the globalization of social movements.

Explain what is meant by the term cooperative alternative in the fight against environmental degradation.

What component of solidarity theory was exemplified when, after the Middle East oil crisis of 1973, governments had to cut back on social welfare programs and there were fewer strikes?

Exposure to technological risks is distributed equally throughout the world.

Increases in evaporated water have produced bigger storms, more precipitation, more flooding, and more soil erosion. Which of the following best describes the consequences of these environmental changes?

According to Ulrich Beck, which of the following is more worrisome than the fact that technologies are likely to fail sometimes?

Briefly outline the four questions identified by the text that have been prompted by the perception that technology seems to be spinning out of control.

Which of the following terms did sociologist Charles Perrow coin in recognition of the fact that the complexity of modern technologies ensures they will inevitably fail, although in unpredictable ways?

What is the definition of technological determinism?

Outline the three ways frame alignment can be encouraged.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Edison's "invention factory" made evident the fact that scientific and engineering genius usually operates in isolation of any social supports or influences.

According to solidarity theory, the nature of government reactions to protests influences subsequent protests. What is the term used by solidarity theorists to describe government response to protests?

Kenrick and Sophie are discussing the relative merits of nuclear power in light of the consequences of the tsunami that damaged the nuclear reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor in Japan. Kenrick defends the overall safety of nuclear energy by pointing out that the damage was caused by a natural disaster as opposed to any human error. Sophie responds by explaining that, according to some sociologists, these kinds of disasters are predictable consequences of the complexity of new technology. How do these sociologists refer to these events?

The current women's movement is an example of which of the following?

Define what is meant by the term risk society. Provide some examples of ongoing and current environmental threats being faced by Canadians and the world.

What are the organizers of a protest movement trying to do when they invite rock, punk, or reggae bands to play at nuclear disarmament rallies or gay liberation festivals?

What environmental damage is caused by the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere resulting in an increase in the amount of solar radiation entering the Earth's atmosphere while trapping heat in the atmosphere?

Heather is angered because people only see the cost of fuel at the pump but not the overall cost to the environment of extracting the fuel, transporting the fuel, and storing the fuel. What is she angry about?

Describe the forces that steer the direction and priorities of research and development.