Question 1

Adam Smith's view of modern economies is described best by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  He argued that competition led to the creation of wealth. 
B)  He condoned the exploitation of workers because low wages increase productivity. 
C)  He believed the division of labour had no impact on productivity. 
D)  He felt that the key to understanding the economy was studying bureaucracy. 
A)  He argued that competition led to the creation of wealth. 
B)  He condoned the exploitation of workers because low wages increase productivity. 
C)  He believed the division of labour had no impact on productivity. 
D)  He felt that the key to understanding the economy was studying bureaucracy. A

Question 2

Canada developed into an industrial capitalist society following a somewhat different path than Britain. Discuss these differences. How has the contemporary Canadian economy and society been shaped by its unique industrialization trajectory?

Accepted Answer

Suggested student response: Students should discuss feudalism, mercantile capitalism, and industrial capitalism in Britain. Reference to "the great transformation" (Polanyi) would be useful. They should recognize that the process started later in Canada, did not really involve feudalism, was influenced by what was occurring in the United States, and had strong regional components. Both the influence of the United States and the regional nature of Canadian industrialization are reflected in Canadian society today. Some students might move beyond the economic to discuss impacts on contemporary Canadian culture, on First Nations, or other themes.

Question 3

Which of the following social theorists best predicted what happened in Russia in 1917?

Accepted Answer

A)  Adam Smith. 
B)  Émile Durkheim. 
C)  Max Weber. 
D)  Karl Marx. 
A)  Adam Smith. 
B)  Émile Durkheim. 
C)  Max Weber. 
D)  Karl Marx. D

Question 4

During the early 1900s in Canada, which of the following were occurring?

Accepted Answer

A)  Skilled craftworkers in Ontario were eager to begin working in large factories. 
B)  Employers did not want to hire immigrants from Europe and China for jobs in mining and railway-building because they thought they would join unions. 
C)  Dangerous working conditions in mining in western Canada led to several socialists being elected as provincial politicians. 
D)  Laws were being passed so that women were paid the same as men for similar work. 
A)  Skilled craftworkers in Ontario were eager to begin working in large factories. 
B)  Employers did not want to hire immigrants from Europe and China for jobs in mining and railway-building because they thought they would join unions. 
C)  Dangerous working conditions in mining in western Canada led to several socialists being elected as provincial politicians. 
D)  Laws were being passed so that women were paid the same as men for similar work.

Question 5

George Santayana once wrote that "[t]hose who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Other contemporary social commentators suggest there is little to learn from the history of industrial capitalism, since new technologies have so dramatically changed the world of work. What is your opinion on this debate?

Accepted Answer

Suggested student response: Stude

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the "putting out" system that existed during early industrialization in Europe?

Accepted Answer

A)  Women were extensively involved in production. 
B)  Large investments in manufacturing technology were required. 
C)  It was more efficient than factory-based production. 
D)  It dramatically increased the level of agricultural production. 
A)  Women were extensively involved in production. 
B)  Large investments in manufacturing technology were required. 
C)  It was more efficient than factory-based production. 
D)  It dramatically increased the level of agricultural production.

Question 7

In one or two sentences for each, describe one of the main contributions to the sociology of work made by Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, and Max Weber.

Accepted Answer

Adam Smith is known for his contribution

Question 8

Which of the following was not part of "the great transformation" described by Karl Polanyi?

Accepted Answer

A)  The emergence of socialist forms of government. 
B)  Growing urbanization. 
C)  A shift to new technologies and inanimate energy sources. 
D)  The emergence of widespread wage labour. 
A)  The emergence of socialist forms of government. 
B)  Growing urbanization. 
C)  A shift to new technologies and inanimate energy sources. 
D)  The emergence of widespread wage labour.

Question 9

Adam Smith argued that an extensive division of labour could lead to immense increases in productivity in a factory setting. What did Charles Babbage propose to further increase profits for factory owners?

Accepted Answer

A)  Increasing the length of the working day. 
B)  Paying workers less, since they would require fewer skills. 
C)  Outlawing trade unions. 
D)  Making workers pay for their own tools. 
A)  Increasing the length of the working day. 
B)  Paying workers less, since they would require fewer skills. 
C)  Outlawing trade unions. 
D)  Making workers pay for their own tools.

Question 10

Which of the following occurred in pre-industrial Canada in the early 1800s?

Accepted Answer

A)  Many people who had immigrated to the United States were moving to Canada because they could not get jobs in the United States. 
B)  Immigrants employed in canal-building were very poorly paid. 
C)  Many factories were being built. 
D)  Agriculture was becoming the dominant industry in western Canada. 
A)  Many people who had immigrated to the United States were moving to Canada because they could not get jobs in the United States. 
B)  Immigrants employed in canal-building were very poorly paid. 
C)  Many factories were being built. 
D)  Agriculture was becoming the dominant industry in western Canada.

Question 11

Imagine that Karl Marx and Émile Durkheim were invited to debate what they saw to be the key social aspects of the Industrial Revolution and its most important outcomes. In your essay, outline the arguments and rebuttals that each might make.

Accepted Answer

Suggested student response: Stude

Question 12

Which of the following is most correct with respect to social theories about the division of labour?

Accepted Answer

A)  Adam Smith believed that it led to widespread alienation among workers. 
B)  Émile Durkheim argued that it was both economically useful and morally good. 
C)  Karl Marx believed it increased both profits for owners and the happiness of workers. 
D)  Max Weber stated that it no longer existed in large bureaucracies. 
A)  Adam Smith believed that it led to widespread alienation among workers. 
B)  Émile Durkheim argued that it was both economically useful and morally good. 
C)  Karl Marx believed it increased both profits for owners and the happiness of workers. 
D)  Max Weber stated that it no longer existed in large bureaucracies.

Question 13

Organization X has the following characteristics. According to Max Weber, which one would not be present in an "ideal type" bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Each job has its own clearly defined responsibilities. 
B)  A clear chain of command links all positions from the bottom to the top of the organizational hierarchy. 
C)  Managers require workers to volunteer in the community, but do not allow them to get involved in politics. 
D)  Carefully written records are kept of all decisions made and transactions completed. 
A)  Each job has its own clearly defined responsibilities. 
B)  A clear chain of command links all positions from the bottom to the top of the organizational hierarchy. 
C)  Managers require workers to volunteer in the community, but do not allow them to get involved in politics. 
D)  Carefully written records are kept of all decisions made and transactions completed.

Question 14

Which of the following assumptions is most central to Émile Durkheim's assessment of the positive social outcomes of the division of labour?

Accepted Answer

A)  Workers doing very different jobs must recognize that they depend on others with different responsibilities. 
B)  An extensive division of labour is typically most profitable. 
C)  While workers are doing very different jobs, they all should be paid about the same. 
D)  People with more skills must be paid the most. 
A)  Workers doing very different jobs must recognize that they depend on others with different responsibilities. 
B)  An extensive division of labour is typically most profitable. 
C)  While workers are doing very different jobs, they all should be paid about the same. 
D)  People with more skills must be paid the most.

Question 15

The approach recommended by the consultant hired by Health Central (see Q. 18) would best be described as reflecting which of the following perspectives on the sociology of work?

Accepted Answer

A)  The great transformation perspective. 
B)  The post-bureaucratic perspective. 
C)  The conflict perspective. 
D)  The consensus approach. 
A)  The great transformation perspective. 
B)  The post-bureaucratic perspective. 
C)  The conflict perspective. 
D)  The consensus approach.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes Russia throughout most of the 1900s?

Accepted Answer

A)  State capitalism. 
B)  Mercantile capitalism. 
C)  Industrial capitalism. 
D)  State socialism. 
A)  State capitalism. 
B)  Mercantile capitalism. 
C)  Industrial capitalism. 
D)  State socialism.

Question 17

Briefly compare the "consensus" and "conflict" perspectives in the sociology of work.

Accepted Answer

The "consensus" perspective in the socio

Question 18

According to Karl Marx, which of the following would eventually be the root cause of the end of capitalism and the emergence of socialism?

Accepted Answer

A)  Laws prohibiting trade unions. 
B)  Increasing division of labour. 
C)  Alienating effects of bureaucracy. 
D)  Growing conflict between the working class and capitalists. 
A)  Laws prohibiting trade unions. 
B)  Increasing division of labour. 
C)  Alienating effects of bureaucracy. 
D)  Growing conflict between the working class and capitalists.

Question 19

Define and briefly discuss, with examples, the concepts of "industrial society" and "capitalist system of production."

Accepted Answer

An industrial society is a society that

Question 20

Compared to the era of industrial capitalism in western Europe, which of the following characterized feudal society?

Accepted Answer

A)  More rapid social change. 
B)  Less emphasis on religion. 
C)  Less wage labour. 
D)  Larger communities. 
A)  More rapid social change. 
B)  Less emphasis on religion. 
C)  Less wage labour. 
D)  Larger communities.

Adam Smith's view of modern economies is described best by which of the following?

Canada developed into an industrial capitalist society following a somewhat different path than Britain. Discuss these differences. How has the contemporary Canadian economy and society been shaped by its unique industrialization trajectory?

Which of the following social theorists best predicted what happened in Russia in 1917?

During the early 1900s in Canada, which of the following were occurring?

Which of the following best describes the "putting out" system that existed during early industrialization in Europe?

In one or two sentences for each, describe one of the main contributions to the sociology of work made by Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, and Max Weber.

Which of the following was not part of "the great transformation" described by Karl Polanyi?

Adam Smith argued that an extensive division of labour could lead to immense increases in productivity in a factory setting. What did Charles Babbage propose to further increase profits for factory owners?

Which of the following occurred in pre-industrial Canada in the early 1800s?

Imagine that Karl Marx and Émile Durkheim were invited to debate what they saw to be the key social aspects of the Industrial Revolution and its most important outcomes. In your essay, outline the arguments and rebuttals that each might make.

Which of the following is most correct with respect to social theories about the division of labour?

Organization X has the following characteristics. According to Max Weber, which one would not be present in an "ideal type" bureaucracy?

Which of the following assumptions is most central to Émile Durkheim's assessment of the positive social outcomes of the division of labour?

The approach recommended by the consultant hired by Health Central (see Q. 18) would best be described as reflecting which of the following perspectives on the sociology of work?

Which of the following best describes Russia throughout most of the 1900s?

Briefly compare the "consensus" and "conflict" perspectives in the sociology of work.

According to Karl Marx, which of the following would eventually be the root cause of the end of capitalism and the emergence of socialism?

Define and briefly discuss, with examples, the concepts of "industrial society" and "capitalist system of production."

Compared to the era of industrial capitalism in western Europe, which of the following characterized feudal society?

Contemporary Debates on Work 1950s to Present Day

Canadian Employment Trends

Good Jobs, Bad Jobs, No Jobs

Labour Markets: Opportunities and Inequality

Gender and Paid Employment

Household, Family, and Caring Work

Organizing and Managing Work

In Search of New Managerial Paradigms

Conflict and Control in the Workplace

Unions and Industrial Relations

Alternative Approaches to Economic Organization

Work Values and Work Orientations

Job Satisfaction, Alienation, and Work-Related Stress

Filters

Exam 1: Historical Perspectives on Work 1700-1950s

Adam Smith's view of modern economies is described best by which of the following?

Canada developed into an industrial capitalist society following a somewhat different path than Britain. Discuss these differences. How has the contemporary Canadian economy and society been shaped by its unique industrialization trajectory?

Which of the following social theorists best predicted what happened in Russia in 1917?

During the early 1900s in Canada, which of the following were occurring?

Which of the following best describes the "putting out" system that existed during early industrialization in Europe?

In one or two sentences for each, describe one of the main contributions to the sociology of work made by Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, and Max Weber.

Which of the following was not part of "the great transformation" described by Karl Polanyi?

Adam Smith argued that an extensive division of labour could lead to immense increases in productivity in a factory setting. What did Charles Babbage propose to further increase profits for factory owners?

Which of the following occurred in pre-industrial Canada in the early 1800s?

Imagine that Karl Marx and Émile Durkheim were invited to debate what they saw to be the key social aspects of the Industrial Revolution and its most important outcomes. In your essay, outline the arguments and rebuttals that each might make.

Which of the following is most correct with respect to social theories about the division of labour?

Organization X has the following characteristics. According to Max Weber, which one would not be present in an "ideal type" bureaucracy?

Which of the following assumptions is most central to Émile Durkheim's assessment of the positive social outcomes of the division of labour?

The approach recommended by the consultant hired by Health Central (see Q. 18) would best be described as reflecting which of the following perspectives on the sociology of work?

Which of the following best describes Russia throughout most of the 1900s?

Briefly compare the "consensus" and "conflict" perspectives in the sociology of work.

According to Karl Marx, which of the following would eventually be the root cause of the end of capitalism and the emergence of socialism?

Define and briefly discuss, with examples, the concepts of "industrial society" and "capitalist system of production."

Compared to the era of industrial capitalism in western Europe, which of the following characterized feudal society?

Contemporary Debates on Work 1950s to Present Day

Canadian Employment Trends

Good Jobs, Bad Jobs, No Jobs

Labour Markets: Opportunities and Inequality

Gender and Paid Employment

Household, Family, and Caring Work

Organizing and Managing Work

In Search of New Managerial Paradigms

Conflict and Control in the Workplace

Unions and Industrial Relations

Alternative Approaches to Economic Organization

Work Values and Work Orientations

Job Satisfaction, Alienation, and Work-Related Stress

Filters