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sociologist. Specifically, this assignment asks you to apply theoretical perspectives to social institutions by creating a question that shows how each framework/perspective would approach that topic. In 1.5-2 typed pages please answer the question: “Guided by the discipline’s three major theoretical approaches, come up with two sociological questions each about a) television, b) war, and c) colleges and universities.” You do not have to use all three perspectives for each topic (you only need two questions each) but you should have all three theoretical perspectives used at least once in the six questions. (MO1.1; MO1.2)
First, start with a brief review of each of the three main theoretical perspectives that guide the discipline of sociology (use your textbook! and cite the section and paragraph number) and then pose your question using one of the three main perspectives (functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism) regarding topics. The pose another question about this topic using a different theoretical perspective. Then, move on to the next topic. Please develop two questions for all of the topics (a, b, and c) and use questions from each perspective (this would be 6 questions total for the essay.). If you want to use the following topics and frameworks as a guide that is fine:
What would a Functionalist ask about war? What would a Symbolic Interactionist ask about war? What would a functionalist ask about Television? What would a conflict theorists ask about Television? What would a functionalist ask education? What would a Conflict theorist ask about education?
Try to be specific/detailed in your questions- for example, do not ask how does war cause conflict or what is the function of war? Think about each perspective and what someone who uses that perspective might be interested in asking?
Here is an example using the topic of global health pandemics. In a global health pandemic, does the crisis serve to bind people together over their common situation and does this function to make society stronger? Does our common goal of alleviating the pandemic result in stronger ties to each other and other nations? Does it give us a common ground to connect with each other? This would be a functionalist approach.
Now, let’s look at conflict theory–Does the pandemic affect all social categories the same way? For example, are some groups of people more likely to die? Why? Is this related to social class? How does one’s job affect their experience with the pandemic? Are essential workers connected to particular social classes such as grocery store workers? Is this related to race and why? How does having more money and wealth create disparities during a pandemic? And symbolic interactionism: How does wearing a mask in public shape how we feel put ourselves or how others view us? Does it altar how people interact with us? What does a mask symbolize or represent to people? Is this related to our values or political beliefs?
As a reminder, Chat GPT (any AI) is not permitted.