Final Course-Soc Week 1-2

Two Separate discussion post to be completed separately:

Sociological Theories. 1st Post Due by Day 3. There are three primary sociological theories discussed in Chapter 1 of the text, Sociology: Beyond Common Sense. Those sociological perspectives are also introduced in the Making Sense of Sociological Theory video. After reading Chapter 1 of the text and watching the video, briefly describe each theory and the major differences across the functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interaction perspectives. If there are specific sociologists affiliated with these perspectives please name them so that you can start to make connections between theorist and theory. Be sure to discuss the weaknesses and strengths of each theory.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7.

The Role of Culture. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Vissing (2011) explains culture as “an organized system of living and thinking. It contains shared attitudes, values, goals, and behaviors that are present in individuals, groups, organizations, or regions of the world” (p. 24). After reading Chapter 3 in the text and “The Relation Between Culture and Social Structure,” summarize some of the ways that the role of culture can shape our expectations about how people are supposed to behave. Moreover, discuss how culture is involved in the consequences when a person does not behave as one is supposed to. Be sure to use the following terms in your explanation: values, norms, material, status, groups, and roles.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7. Reference: Vissing, Y. (2011). Introduction to sociology. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Educatio

WEEK 2 DISCUSSIONS

Socialization. 1st Post Due by Day 3. As humans, we become aware of ourselves as belonging to a group and we learn how to behave through the process of socialization. In addition to reading Chapter 4 of the text, you will also read Introduction to Sociology: 06 Socialization. After reading the required resources, describe the various agents of socialization and why they are important. Do socializing agents contribute to an institutionalized system of social inequality? Why or why not? In your post, be sure to discuss how an individual's race, class, and gender can influence the way that he or she is socialized. Support your answer with detailed examples.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7.

Deviant Behavior. 1st Post Due by Day 3. For this discussion, you must read Chapter 6 of the text, Introduction to Sociology: 06 Socialization, the article, The Anomie Tradition: Explaining Rates of Deviant Behavior, Durkheim's classic contribution, and the Anomie theory reading from Key Perspectives in Criminology, found in the ebrary database. After reading the required resources, explain why Emile Durkheim alleges that if we did not have deviants, we would create them. In other words, Durkheim is making an argument that having a group of 18 SOC101: Introduction to Sociology COURSE GUIDE people society considers deviant serves broader functions for society. What are these functions? Support your answer with detailed examples

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7. Reference: Vissing, Y. (2011). Introduction to sociology. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Educatio