...increasingly micro-oriented approach toward studying Sports. This article takes a critical look at the field of Sports Sociology. It is a very under researched and under developed subfield of sociology, but the authors of this article think that it has great potential. It assesses the sociology of sports. It also analyzes how organized sports intermingle with the organizational, political, and economic forces that are present in social inequality. It’s primarily a review of existing research based on previous articles and research. It refers to a lot of previous articles that lets you know it’s not new research. Many of us have only recently started referring to this research as “sports sociology” instead of as “economic sociology,” “political sociology,” “social movements,” “organizational sociology,” or “urban studies.” I’ve learned that sports have become an increasingly important social phenomenon that really lends itself to a sociological approach. Part of this allure is intellectual since both micro and macro approaches have been used in some really great ways to understand sports and how sports impact different issues. I find that Sociologists seem to be taking an increasingly micro-oriented approach toward studying sports. This trend is reflected across almost all substantive categories of inquiry. There seems to be something of a chicken-egg relationship going on, especially, with the simultaneous increase in research about gender and the overall increase in micro-oriented...
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...Kevin Ventura GOOD LUCK! 1. What are the three contemporary theoretical perspectives in sociology? a. Functionalism, conflict, and postmodernism b. Functionalism, feminism, and conflict c. Functionalism, conflict, and social learning d. Functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism 2. True/False Norms provide guidance so that we can align our actions with those of others when situations are unclear or ambiguous. a. true b. false 3. Which sociologist proposed that forming a triad by adding one person to a dyad is far more consequential that adding one person to any other size group? a. John James b. George Simmel c. George Herbert Mead d. Muzafer Sherif 4. Procedures that people employ in making social life and society intelligible to themselves and others is the definition of: a. groupthink b. dyad c. social loafing d. ethnomethodology 5. A classic study by social scientist ___________ showed us how sociology can reveal new levels of social reality. a. Elliot Liebow b. C. Wright Mills c. Auguste Comte d. Herbert Spencer 6. Who is commonly credited with being the “founder of sociology”? a. Elliot Liebow b. C. Wright Mills c. Auguste Comte d. Herbert Spencer 7. The definition of socialization is: a. actions through which people observe, interpret, evaluate, communicate with, and attempt to control themselves. b. the set of concepts we use in defining...
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...How Do We Know? Ballantine, Roberts, and Korgen. Our Social World: Condensed, Fourth Edition. © 2015 SAGE Publications The Development of Sociology • Social thought before sociology: strongly influenced by religion and philosophy • Modern sociology arose in 19th century Europe, influenced by several conditions: – Colonialism: exposure to other cultures – Industrial Revolution & French Revolution: desire to know how dramatic change could be systematically explained – Advances in the natural sciences: desire to apply scientific method to the social world Ballantine, Roberts, and Korgen. Our Social World: Condensed, Fourth Edition. © 2015 SAGE Publications The Development of Sociology August Comte & the science of society • Coined the term “sociology” in 1838 • Thought society’s problems could not be understood by philosophical or religious speculation; scientific knowledge was needed • Two main concerns – What holds society together? (social statics or structure) – Why is there change in society? (social dynamics or process) Ballantine, Roberts, and Korgen. Our Social World: Condensed, Fourth Edition. © 2015 SAGE Publications The Development of Sociology Early sociology after Comte • Focus on massive social and economic change brought by Industrial Revolution • Focus on relationship between micro-, meso-, and macro-level processes • Early sociological theorists: Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Harriet Martineau, Max Weber, W.E.B. DuBois •...
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...“Then and Now” (1939). He still went on to wrote so many influential books which had impact in the black communities and population before his death. • Sociology as scientific method Sociological research is the scientific means of acquiring information about various aspects of society and social behavior. So in general sociology bases some of its fact through science. Sociology as a scientific method can be described as an accurate and unbiased collection and analysis of social data, using systematic observation, conducting experiments and also exhibit skepticism. • Micro and Macro and Sociological perspective There are two types of sociological theories: macro and micro. Macro theories focus on the society as a whole and aim at establishing the general characteristics of the society. It is basically looking at the society as a whole and looking at a bigger picture. It aims to answer three basic questions: • What holds the societies together? • What are the sources of conflict in a society? • How do societies change? There are two branches of macro-sociological theories: consensus and conflict, with the main representative being functionalist and Marxist respectively. Micro theories on the other hand, focus on the individuals who make up the society unlike macro theory which looks at the society as a whole. Micro theories are small scale. Consider it a magnifying glass, when you look through it, you 'zoom' in to the society and see the individuals who have made...
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...International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy 30 Whose Solution is It? Development Ideology and the Work of MicroEntrepreneurs in Caribbean Context by Marina Karides, Florida Atlantic University An economic leader in the Caribbean, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has incorporated micro-business development as one of its main strategies to alleviate poverty and unemployment and to spawn economic growth since the late 1980s (ILO 1991, 1998, Ministry of Finance 1996). Although the discovery of natural gas in the early nineties catapulted Trinidad’s economic growth rate to four percent per annum, unemployment and poverty continue to affect a large portion of the population. The majority of the population has not benefited from Trinidad’s economic growth. Thus, the government has attempted to create “a nation of entrepreneurs” in order to relieve some of the inequality that defines the society (Ministry of Trade and Industry 1997). Trinidad’s expansion of micro-enterprise programs reflects an international trend. Endorsed by non-governmental organizations, private financial institutions, international development agencies, including the World Bank, many scholars and development practitioners also view microenterprise assistance as a panacea for Third World poverty (Johnson and Kidder, 1999; Mosley and Hulme, 1998; Dignard and Havet, 1995; Grosh and Somolekae, 1996; Rakowski, 1994). Micro-enterprise development programs generally consist of training in business skills...
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...Assess the usefulness of micro sociology to our understanding of society (33marks) Micro sociology focuses on the actions and interactions of individuals and is a bottom-up approach. Such micro approaches, see society as shaped by its members, who possess agency, in other words, the ability to act as free agents. Micro approaches, also known as action theories, include social action theory, symbolic interactionism, phenomenology and ethnomethodoly. However, macro sociologists take a deterministic approach, as they believe that our actions are determined by society. Macro theories include Functionalism and Marxism, who see individuals as puppets, under the control of social structures. One micro approach to sociology is Weber’s social action theory. According to Weber, in order to understand human behaviour, we must take into account both the level of structural cause, and the level of subjective meaning that individuals attach to their actions. Weber argues that there are an infinite number of subjective meanings that actors give to their actions; however he attempts to classify actions into four types. Instrumentally rational action refers to action that is driven by a given goal, in order to achieve through the most efficient means. Value rational action involves action towards a goal that the actor regards as desirable, for example worshipping god in order to get to heaven. Unlike instrumentally rational action, there is no way of calculating whether the means of achieving...
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...distinguish them between Micro sociology and Macro sociology. The big question being asked is what is white collar crime identified as and blue collar crime? White collar crime is defined as “illegal or unethical acts that violate fiduciary responsibility of public trust committed by an individual or organization, usually during the course of legitimate occupational activity, by persons of high or respectable social status for personal or organizational gain” (Helmkamp, Ball, & Townsend,1996, p. 351). (Cullen, Clark, Mather’s, & Cullen, 1983; Grabosky et al., 1987; Hauber, Toonvliet, & Willemse, 1988; Holland, 1995) felt back then that white collar crimes get neglected. There are only 24 out of 140 crimes that are categorized to be white collar crimes. Some examples that are white collar crimes are (i.e., price fixing, defrauding customers, and income tax fraud). Benson and Cullen (1998) examined the perceptions of white-collar crime seriousness from local prosecutors. The prosecutors did not typically perceive such crimes as serious; it was stated that, less than 4% of urban prosecutors considered corporate crime a “very serious” problem and about 50% did not regard it as serious at all. When crimes like this are committed I feel that the person has no solidarity or social control, they are just thinking about themselves and not caring about that what their action is doing is hurting society. My personal saying on what white collar crime would be is Macro sociology, because in general...
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...Films mimic the human experience in a way that other visual mediums cannot. Cinema’s basis in fiction and fact is what makes for an excellent lens through which to view the human experience. Over the course of the semester, we were instructed to watch two films. “Food Inc.”, a harsh look inside America’s corporate controlled food Industry, while “The Vernon John’s Story: The Road to Freedom” is a film that portrays the inspirational story of Martin Luther King Jrs’ successor as he interminably campaigns for Civil Rights. While seemingly different themes, each film portrays two issues important in sociology. After all, sociology can be defined as the scientific study of human social behavior and its origins, development, and organizations. Sociologists use many ways to analyze subjects from a sociological perspective. These ways are known today as the symbolic interactionist perspective, the functionalist perspective, and the conflict perspective. Each perspective uniquely conceptualizes society, social forces, and human behavior. The purpose of this essay is not so much as to narrate each film but rather to illustrate a better understanding for three commonly misunderstood perspectives. Although a daily occurrence, the consumption of food can also be associated with important moments in our lives. In the context of society, our nation’s food system is at the core of numerous social movements, political issues, and economic debates. After watching “Food Inc.”, we see that any...
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...Lecture #1: Defining Sociology and Using our Sociological Tools; Please read Ch. 1 Hello everyone and welcome to the start of what will hopefully be a wonderful semester. This semester we will be examining and analyzing science and technology using a sociological discipline. In the beginning of every lecture I will introduce the vocabulary. These words will be significant for the lecture, so put them to memory because you just might see them later, wink, wink, and wink. Vocabulary: Sociology: The systematic study of human societies. It is the scientific study of human social life, behavior, groups, culture and societies. Culture: A way of life including widespread values (about what is good and bad), beliefs (about what is true), and behavior (what people do every day). Social Problems: A condition that undermines the well-being of some or all members of a society and that are usually a matter of public controversy. Sociological Imagination: Is the quality of mind that enables one to see the connection between personal troubles and social structures. Theory: A statement of how and why specific facts are related. Structural-Functional: A theoretical framework that sees society as a system of many interrelated parts. Social-Conflict: A theoretical framework that sees society as divided by inequality and conflict. Symbolic-Interaction: A theoretical framework that sees society as the product of individuals interacting with one another. Technology: the practical use...
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...Applying Sociological Perspectives Stephanie Ann Tombline SOC/100 May 30, 2016 Jennifer Hudgins Applying Sociological Perspectives Social networking sites - such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and, Pinterest, just to name a few - provide individuals with an online web of global networking that allows maintaining social ties with one another. Sociologists often ponder, "How do these social websites impact society?" Above all, this is the question that is the central focus shared by all three of the primary sociological perspectives (Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and, Symbolic Interactionism) when studying and performing research on the topic. Otherwise, the three paradigms of sociological theories are differentiating interpretations of how they perceive social networking sites. Namely, I find this subject intriguing because humans are perpetually seeking innovations intended to ameliorate the quality of life, and diverse opinions pertinent to the effect on the gamut of society and individuals within a community, is inevitable. Albeit, each perspective's view generated as a result of these social milestones, equally hold valid points. Therefore, while social networking sites provide a multitude of beneficial improvements to the world, there are just as many issues that arise, and all three sociological perspectives serve to complement one another in the comprehension of social media networks and the sway they bring to societies. As Viewed Through...
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...The Anti-Social Era of America When asked “what unites us”, the first question the reader may possess is who is us? This word can mean so many different groups of people, small groups, large groups, communities, states, countries, etc. However, this us is referring to societies. Nevertheless, these societies can be apart of small groups, large groups, communities, states, countries, etc. The book's Ten Lessons in Introductory Sociology and Thirty Readings in Introductory Sociology demonstrates these many levels of society and how it affects our behaviors and the world around us. To begin this process of self-discovery and what unites us C. Wright Mills first aims to help us develop our sociological imagination. This is described as the “ability...
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...OUTLINE The Sociological Imagination * Sociology is the study of human society. * In the mid-twentieth century, sociologist C. Wright Mills argued that we need to use our sociological imagination to think critically about the social world around us. * The sociological imagination is the ability to connect one’s personal experiences to society at large and greater historical forces. Using our sociological imagination allows us to “make the familiar strange” or to question habits or customs that seem “natural” to us. What Is a Social Institution? * A social institution is a group of social positions, connected by social relations, that perform a social role. Social institutions, such as the legal system, the labor market, or language itself, have a great influence on our behavior and are constantly changing. * The interactions and meanings we ascribe to social institutions shape and change them. * Social identity is how individuals define themselves in relationship to groups they are a part of (or in relationship to groups they choose not to be a part of). We all contribute to one another’s social identity, which can also be thought of as a grand narrative constructed of many individual stories. The Sociology of Sociology * The French scholar Auguste Comte, founder of what he called “social physics” or “positivism,” felt that we could better understand society by determining the logic or scientific laws governing human behavior. * Harriet Martineau...
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...Sociology assignment 1 1. In Sociology what is the difference between examining social life at the micro-level, macro-level, and global-level? Provide an example to illustrate how the three levels of analysis might apply to the same social phenomenon. In sociology social life is examined at three different levels, micro-level, macro-level, and global-level. The micro-level examines social dynamics of face-to-face interactions between people. The macro-level studies the larger scale dynamics of social interactions that occur within a society. At the global level, social life is examined through the structures and processes that occur beyond state borders or specific societies. It is common that more than one level may be effective when studying...
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...Macro Systems Holly Regan BSHS/325 February 16, 2015 Mary Carlisle Macro Systems What are systems in the social environment? Systems are a set of elements that are interrelated to make a functioning whole. Systems larger than a small group denotes a macro system which involves focusing on the social, political, and economic policies and conditions that affect people’s overall access to resources and quality of life. Macro practice in social work, then, consists of striving to improve the social and economic circumstance in which people live (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010). Empowerment is a process used to assist individuals, families, groups and communities to use their strengths to overcome the challenges they presently face by implementing resources and tools around them. Personal empowerment is in reference to an individual’s competence and strength and ability to create change and focuses on ways to develop personal power and self-efficacy. It also points toward a biased state of mind, a feeling of competence within oneself, and experiencing a sense of control. Interpersonal empowerment refers to one’s ability to influence others and is derived from two sources. The first source is based on social status such as class, sex, and gender and the second source is power which comes from learning new skills and securing new positions in addition to successful interactions with others and the respect others have for us. Political empowerment is in reference...
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... Introduction of Sociology SOC 111 Question: What is Sociology? Date of Submission: 7th Nov 2012 Mode of Submission: Coordinator Examiner: Mr.Olomi This paper proposes to show up, examine the concept of sociology and also to discuss the objective of sociology and its importance. The term Sociology as quoted by Geoffrey, et al, (1970 p.201) from the new dictionary of sociology state that, ‘sociology is the study of human social life, groups and societies’. It is amazing and compelling enterprise, having as its subject matter our own behavior as social being. The scope of sociology is very wide, ranging from the analysis of passing encounters between individual in the street up to the investigation of world-wide social processes. To support dictionary, sociology is the study of societies in a scientific way. Before the emergence of sociology, there was no systematic and scientific attempt to study human society with all its complexities. Sociology has made it possible to study society in a scientific manner. This scientific knowledge about human society is needed in order to achieve progress in various fields. Father more; Sociology is the study of the social lives of humans, groups and societies. It concerns itself with the social rules and processes that bind and separate people not only as individuals, but as members of associations, groups, and institutions Sociology is interested in our...
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