Sociology

Required textbook: David Newman: Sociology, 13th ed. (Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life)

From each of the three major sociological perspectives, give an explanation of why people get divorced. Why has the divorce rate in America increased so much over the past 100+ years? What explanation would a structural functionalist give for the increasing divorce rates? What about a conflict theorist? Finally, what would a symbolic interactionist say to explain divorce? Give thoughtful answers and apply the explanations of these different perspectives from your textbook.

Watch the video clip about anorexia, found under Module 1. Use your understanding of the sociological imagination (from Chapter 1) to address the following question: can we consider anorexia to be an individual problem or a social one? If we come to understand anorexia in sociological—rather than wholly individualistic—terms, how can we as a society change our approach to addressing disordered eating? Think about the social and cultural forces and institutions (from Chapter 2) that shape our sense of beauty and desirability. Use as many of the ‘Key Terms’ from Chapter 2 as you can to answer this question thoughtfully.

Watch “The Stanford Prison Experiment.” Answer the following questions after watching the documentary. 1) What elements of the larger social structure can be observed in this program? Think in terms of statuses, roles, groups, organizations and social institutions. 2) Can you find examples of role conflict? 3) Can you recall a time when you ‘changed’ your behavior, actions or attitudes as a result of the environment you were in?