Gilbert Stuart: James Madison, 1826.
James Madison, 1826

Introduction

Exam #1 will have two sections. In Section A, students will answer three of four short-answer essay questions valued at 10 points each. In Section B, students will answer two of four short-answer essay questions valued at 10 points each.

Reading Assignments You will need to be familiar with the social problem of Same-Sex Marriage.

Discussion Questions:
  1. What are the central tenets of the functionalist paradigm? Know these terms: functional imperatives (adaptation, goal attainment, integration, latency). Know the basic analogy of the functionalist approach (i.e., organic).
  2. What are the central tenets of the conflict/Marxian paradigm? Know these terms: dialectical materialism, means of production, relations of production. What basic principles can sociologists learn from the Marxian perspective on society?
  3. What are the central tenets of the symbolic-interactionist paradigm? Know these terms: mind, self, social construction of reality, looking-glass self. Understand the importance of knowing how reality is constructed through our everyday interactions with one another.
  4. What are the basic principles of sociology?
  5. What are the components that describe a social problem? (See: Introduction to Social Problems and What Are Social Problems?)
  6. What makes a problem a social problem? (See: Introduction to Social Problems and What Are Social Problems?)
  7. What causes a social problem? (See: Introduction to Social Problems and What Are Social Problems?)
  8. What's wrong with declaring war on social problems? (See: War on Social Problems)
  9. What is rankism and why is it the "Mother-of-isms"? (See: Somebodies and Nobodies)
Example Question

Sociologists use structure-functionalism as one of three paradigms to guide their research and policy suggestions.
  1. Describe the three central tenets of the structure-functionalist paradigm (describe each of the four functional imperatives as part of your answer).
  2. Describe the organic analogy and how this analogy differs from the Marxian paradigm.
Help Session

Help Session: The help session for this exam will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 5:00 p.m. Meet on the first floor of East Hall.

Dr. Sapp's office hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and by appointment.
Please feel free to contact Dr. Sapp