Dolley Madison, 1804.

Introduction

Exam #1 will have four questions. Students are required to answer all parts of four questions, valued at 15 points each.

Reading Assignments

• Principles of Sociology
• The Sociological Perspective
• Introduction to Social Problems.
• What Are Social Problems?
• War on Social Problems?
• Somebodies and Nobodies.
• Sociological Data Analysis
• Globalization
• Comparative Advantage and Globalization
• Immanuel Wallerstein: World Systems Theory
• Globalization and the Race to the Bottom
• Diffusion of Innovations
• Diffusion of Innovations
• Social Movements
• Group Violence
• Violence and Conflict
• The Church's Response to Hate-Group Violence

Questions

A. All students answer this question (15 point).

1. Sociological paradigms define perspectives for understanding social problems.
   1. What are the central tenets of the functionalist paradigm?
   2. Describe the four functional imperatives (adaptation, goal attainment, integration, latency) of the functionalist paradigm.
   3. What are the central tenets of the conflict/Marxian paradigm?
   4. Describe the term: dialectical materialism.
   5. What are the central tenets of the symbolic-interactionist paradigm?
   6. Describe what is meant by the "social construction of reality."

B. Answer three of these four questions (15 points each).

1. Globalization affects all aspects of social structure and culture.
   1. Describe the term: comparative advantage.
   2. Describe economic leakage, including the terms: primary, secondary, and tertiary economy.
   3. Describe the term: perpetual status and how the rules of the World Trade Organization can hinder attempts to maintain a clean, safe environment.
   4. Describe three central arguments made by Brecher and Costello in Globalization: The Race to the Bottom. Does research on the economic effects of globalization support their concerns? Explain your answer.
   
   
2. Sociologists face critical challenges in determining cause and effect among possible determinants of social problems.
   1. Describe the aggregation bias and why it is important for scientists to examine disaggregated data.
   2. Describe the ecological fallacy and why it is important for scientists to examine individual-level data.
   3. Describe a spurious effect and why it is important for scientists to examine potential moderating effects when testing hypotheses.
   4. Describe a suppressor effect and why it is important for scientists to examine potential moderating effects when testing hypotheses.
   
   
3. All attempts to improve social conditions involve convincing citizens of the need for social change.
   1. Describe each of the elements of the innovation-decision process.
   2. Why is education about social problems insufficient to gain change to reduce social problems?
   3. Describe the two critical elements of the "diffusion effect."
   4. Why does the diffusion perspective assert that endorsements by opinion leaders are central to bringing about social change?
   
   
4. Not all problems are social problems.
   1. What are the key components that describe a social problem?
   2. What makes a problem a social problem?
   3. What is wrong with declaring war on social problems?

Help Session

Help Session: The help session for this exam will be held on Monday, February 13th, 5:00 p.m. We will 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