Discussion Board 1: The Concept of Social Structure
Explain what a structure is. How can this concept help us understand human societies? Explain how two of the following theorize social structure: Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Hayek.
Lecture Notes
The concept of structure (Piaget)
- A structure is a system of transformations
- Involves
• wholeness
• transformation
• self regulation
Thinking about each dimension of social reality in structural terms
- physical systems (gravitational, electromagnetic, strong and weak nuclear, statistical mechanical, thermodynamic ...)
- biological (physiological, especially neurological and ecological systems ...)
- technological systems: using energy to transform matter into ...
- economic systems: price, value ...
- political systems: power (organized money, people, mana ...)
- cultural systems (organized signs, meanings ...)
- psychological systems (organized ideas and passions ...)
Discussion Board 2: Psychological Theory
Explain how Freud and Fromm understand the socialization process. Which approach do you think is more adequate and why?
Discussion Board 3: Linguistic Relativity
Take and defend a position on the question of linguistic relativity.
Discussion board 4:
Choose a painting or sculpture and show how understanding the elements of art and iconography can help us understand it better.
Discussion Board 5: Music
What is music? What are its principal elements? How do different musical systems embody and convey the principles of the cultures that produce them?
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.