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

• Principles of Sociology
• The Sociological Perspective
• Chapters 1-4 in the textbook
• Summary
• Class Notes

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). Understand the origins of the functionalist approach (conservative reaction to the enlightenment).
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? [Chapters 1-2]
6. What makes a problem a social problem? [Chapters 1-2]
7. What causes a social problem? [Chapters 1-2]
8. What's wrong with declaring war on social problems? [Chapter 3]
9. What is rankism and why is it the "Mother-of-isms"? [Chapter 4]

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.
3. In class, we discussed how functionalism can be used to explain the passage of Affirmative Action laws. What are Affirmative Action laws and what is the functionalist explanation for them?

Help Session

Help Session: The help session for this exam will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 5:00 p.m., in Room 2432 Food Science.

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