Deck 1: D: Understanding the Sociological Imagination

Question 1

Using Mills's concept of the sociological imagination and Berger's concept of seeing the general in the particular,explain why Canada's Aboriginal peoples have high levels of poverty despite ongoing government assistance.

Answer 1

The sociological imagination allows us to see the relationship between individuals and society,while seeing the general in the particular is the ability to look at seemingly unique events or circumstances and then recognize the larger features involved.By applying these processes,we can see how the poverty that affects Aboriginal peoples is not a result of individual circumstances but,rather,an outcome of their position within the larger society,and the historic and current processes of discrimination enacted against them,which government assistance does nothing to ameliorate.Colonization,isolation,segregation,loss of culture,loss of independence,loss of resources,loss of governance: all of these general processes enacted against Aboriginal peoples have led to their individual circumstances,and to their position in the larger society,which puts them in a disadvantaged position.

Question 2

How is the 1967 Royal Commission on the Status of Women an example of the radical nature of Canadian sociology?

Answer 2

The final report was released in 1970 (with 167 recommendations)and became the blueprint for mainstream feminist activism.The women's movement inspired a new generation of women to reflect on their social surroundings and question social convention.The influence of the movement on early women pioneers was equally important,as it allowed them to critique their own intellectual foundations and their approach to sociology specifically and to society generally.The Royal Commission report opened the debate on women's position in Canadian society and also resulted in the formation of the Status of Women Subcommittee of the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association,which still exists today as the Canadian Sociological Association.

Question 3

Choose a social problem and explore it from a sociological perspective,making reference to the ideas of C.W.Mills and Peter Berger.How has this exploration impacted your initial views on the social problem? Explain Peter Berger's use of the terms general,particular,strange,and familiar.

Answer 3

Answers will vary.
Sociological imagination and quality of mind
General-the larger social forces acting on an individual in society
Particular-seemingly unique events or circumstances
Strange-asking why things are the way they are rather than just accepting them as normal and familiar
Familiar-the usual and normal-our acceptance of the way things are without really understanding the reasons

Question 4

Discuss the anti-positivists' challenges to the primary assumptions of positivism.Which side do you agree with more and why?

Question 5

Peter Berger is an American sociologist who defined the sociological perspective as the ability to see the world from two distinct and complementary perspectives-seeing the general in the particular and the strange in the familiar.Apply your sociological imagination to any event of your choosing;it could be a sporting event,preparing dinner,attending class,or any other activity that you carry out.Write a few paragraphs describing your chosen event.At the end of your "seeing the strange in the familiar," ensure that you also include a description of the event in familiar language.

Question 6

Discuss the three Revolutions that inspired the rise of sociology,and state the major contribution each made to the discipline.

Question 7

Choose three social factors that you believe have been most influential for defining the person you have become.From a sociological perspective,discuss how these social factors have had an influence on your life.

Question 8

Discuss the sociological perspective and the relationship between social forces and personal social identity,and give a modern example.

Question 9

Define the "sociological imagination" and discuss how this "quality of mind" would apply to you as a university student.

Question 10

Discuss some of the key features of Canadian sociology and some key Canadian sociologists whose work embodies these features.