Homework Help for Sociology

1 . The speaker states we’ve overlooked a major resource in efforts to reduce poverty. What is that resource? Why do you think this resource was overlooked?

2. The speaker shares a number of personal stories. What are some of the similarities or connecting points between the different stories the speaker shares?

3. The speaker mentions some problems that affect people living in poverty, and more specifically black, indigenous, and Latino families living in poverty. Identify at least two of those problems. Why do you think these societal problems affect people of color who are also living in poverty more than other groups?

4. What are some ways that the speaker mentions that her children are growing up differently than she did? What is the point she is making with this comparison?

5. Why does the speaker argue that we have to stop telling the story that "hard work leads to success"? What does this story allow us to believe about people living poverty?

6. How does the speaker suggest people who are poor can impact poverty?

7 . How does the South African concept of “ubuntu” relate to the systems of stratification and social mobility you read about in the unit?

8. What surprised, challenged, or interested you about this speaker’s presentation?

1 . The Davis-Moore thesis argues that social inequality is beneficial to society. Do you agree or disagree with this thesis? Why or why not?

2. Table 1 gives the prestige rankings for a number of different occupations. Do you think that the prestige rankings reflect the most important jobs in society? (Are the jobs with the highest prestige the most important to society?) Why or why not?

3. Some experts argue in favor of class-based affirmative action. That is, giving people born to lower-class families an advantage in college admissions and company hiring. Do you think that society should do something like this? Why or why not?

4. Think about your parents and grandparents. Do you think that social mobility has happened in your own family? What type(s) of social mobility have happened? Include in your discussion the events or reasons for your answers.

5. Choose a popular television show and discuss which social class you believe the main character or family represents. What factors (occupation, wealth, power, prestige, education, etc.) lead you to believe that they belong in this social class?

1 . Which of the explanations for deviance discussed (biological, labeling theory, Durkheim’s theory, strain theory) do you think best explains deviance? Why?

2. Sociologists argue that what is considered deviant varies from culture to culture. Give an example of something that might be considered deviant in one area but would be the norm in another. Discuss your personal opinion of whether this activity is deviant and why.

3. Hirschi provides several factors that he believes influence whether or not a person will act in a deviant way. Which one do you think is most important in preventing deviance? Why?

4. Durkheim argues that deviance is important to society. What functions does he believe deviance gives society? Do you agree with him that deviance has important functions in society? Why or why not?

5. Do you think that punishments like prison sentences or fines help stop crime? Why or why not?

Do you think the death penalty should be used as a punishment for crime? Why or why not?

Do you think the crime rate would go down if the United States were tougher in its punishment of criminals? Why or why not? Present at least two paragraphs.

1 . Organized crime now accounts for how much of the global GDP?

2. What do you think has led to this increase in organized crime?

3. What are the three zones in the goods and services that organized crime offers?

4. The growth of the drug industry in Canada represents which shift in organized crime? Why is this important?

5. What is one new trend in organized crime? Why?

6. What do you think countries should do to reduce organized crime globally?

Do you think the death penalty should be used as a punishment for crime? Why or why not?

Do you think the crime rate would go down if the United States were tougher in its punishment of criminals? Why or why not? Present at least two paragraphs.

1 . Which of the explanations for deviance discussed (biological, labeling theory, Durkheim’s theory, strain theory) do you think best explains deviance? Why?

2. Sociologists argue that what is considered deviant varies from culture to culture. Give an example of something that might be considered deviant in one area but would be the norm in another. Discuss your personal opinion of whether this activity is deviant and why.

3. Hirschi provides several factors that he believes influence whether or not a person will act in a deviant way. Which one do you think is most important in preventing deviance? Why?

4. Durkheim argues that deviance is important to society. What functions does he believe deviance gives society? Do you agree with him that deviance has important functions in society? Why or why not?

5. Do you think that punishments like prison sentences or fines help stop crime? Why or why not?

1 . Organized crime now accounts for how much of the global GDP?

2. What do you think has led to this increase in organized crime?

3. What are the three zones in the goods and services that organized crime offers?

4. The growth of the drug industry in Canada represents which shift in organized crime? Why is this important?

5. What is one new trend in organized crime? Why?

6. What do you think countries should do to reduce organized crime globally?

1 . Organized crime now accounts for how much of the global GDP?

2. What do you think has led to this increase in organized crime?

3. What are the three zones in the goods and services that organized crime offers?

4. The growth of the drug industry in Canada represents which shift in organized crime? Why is this important?

5. What is one new trend in organized crime? Why?

6. What do you think countries should do to reduce organized crime globally?

1 . Which of the explanations for deviance discussed (biological, labeling theory, Durkheim’s theory, strain theory) do you think best explains deviance? Why?

2. Sociologists argue that what is considered deviant varies from culture to culture. Give an example of something that might be considered deviant in one area but would be the norm in another. Discuss your personal opinion of whether this activity is deviant and why.

3. Hirschi provides several factors that he believes influence whether or not a person will act in a deviant way. Which one do you think is most important in preventing deviance? Why?

4. Durkheim argues that deviance is important to society. What functions does he believe deviance gives society? Do you agree with him that deviance has important functions in society? Why or why not?

5. Do you think that punishments like prison sentences or fines help stop crime? Why or why not?

This seems like a good time to ask the basic question, “How’s it going in class?” Feel free to offer constructive feedback about the course. Anything you like about the course so far? Please present at least one paragraph.

This seems like a good time to ask the basic question, “How’s it going in class?” Feel free to offer constructive feedback about the course. Anything you like about the course so far? Please present at least one paragraph.

Why do you think people conform to peer pressure? What impact do you think this can have on an individual? Do you think you conform to peer pressure in any way?