Exam 1: Introducing Sociology

The unresolved social issues we currently face fall under three headings.List and briefly describe each one.

Macrostructures are patterns of social relations that lie outside and above your circle of intimates and acquaintances.

Bill can't get a job,even though he has a strong résumé.He is unemployed because of the recession and not because he is lazy or unskilled.According to C.Wright Mills,which theoretical understanding is the basis of this explanation?

Durkheim,Marx,and Goffman initiated three of the major theoretical traditions in sociology.

Karissa went to a meeting of the debate team and introduced herself as a sociology major;however,she had taken only one course.She did this because she wanted to be taken seriously and if the team saw her as a first-year student she would likely not be invited to join.Which theoretical approach is Karissa using to position herself?

"Women are trying more but men are dying more" is a catchphrase used to describe self-harm and suicidal behaviour in Canada.What does this phrase mean?

What did Durkheim conclude about suicide rates?

Why would a sociological theory be referred to as tentative?

Describe the different orientations,assumptions,and focuses of the four main sociological paradigms.Give an example of a research question that someone working from each perspective might be interested in.What kinds of questions would he or she ask? Why?

Samantha was unable to get a job as an auto mechanic;the primary reason given by potential employers was that customers had no confidence that their car would be properly fixed by a woman.Samantha decided to do her own survey and interviewed consumers to see if this was true.To address her concerns,which theoretical approach should she use to interpret her survey findings?

Which statement best describes how people are likely to respond in the face of complex problems and social issues?

Who originally proposed the ideas of symbolic interactionism?

Which statement best summarizes the contribution of ancient and medieval civilizations to today's social ideas?

William is part of the school marching band.Other students make fun of the band for wearing uniforms and marching around the football field.However,William and his band friends offer each other support on and off the field.What would Durkheim call this kind of support?

Science is less a collection of ideas than it is a method of inquiry.

Which component of a sociologist's character is reflected in his or her selection of issues to study?

Ellie went to the store to buy running shoes.She fell in love with a great pair of blue running shoes with bright yellow stripes made by a small,unknown company.However,she was afraid her friends would make fun of her,so she bought another pair of Nikes.Which unresolved social issue in today's society does Ellie's action reflect?

How would a functionalist view the Canadian criminal justice system,as compared to a conflict theorist?

Which of the following would be a key focus of analysis for feminist theorists?

Identify and describe the level of analysis for each of the four main theoretical traditions in sociology.How would each perspective view homelessness? How would each perspective attempt to resolve the issue of homelessness?