Answer any two (2) of the following questions as thoroughly as you can with an essay of no less than one page each (double spaced). Be sure to use your own words in each answer and to use any concepts, ideas, theories, examples or data from our course materials and class sessions that are relevant to formulating and explaining your answers.
- Discuss globalization's causes and effects. Is globalization an extension of colonialism by new methods? Is it the key to bringing the Global South (Africa, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East) into the prosperity of the global marketplace? Or a new way to exploit the weakest? Is there any good news for ordinary workers or small businesses? And what about some of the unintended consequences of globalization: the rise of China, conditions for women in India, and any others you think of?
- In what ways is religion a social phenomenon? Is it a form of social solidarity? What about those who see it primarily as a form of individual faith or belief? How is it connected to politics? To inequality? To culture? To gender? To the forms of work or material life of a community or society? To community self-identity? Give as many relevant examples as you can.
- What are the main causes of inequality in society? What are its most important effects? What concepts in sociology best explain these causes? What would be the best approach to reducing inequality? Consider the roles of class, race, gender, statuses, ethnicity, globalization, technology, education and any other factor (variable) that may be relevant.
- Discuss changes in family structure, family roles, forms of the family, that have come with modernization and have accelerated in recent years, especially in richer, Western countries like the US and some European countries. Be sure to consider issues related to the aging of the population, changing gender relations and transformations in work and labor markets, education and related issues.
- The themes of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual preference and gender identity, and their relationship to class and to religious affiliation, to name just a few major concepts, seem to be on the front pages in some form or another daily. Which of these identities are most important, socially relevant and best explains some of the actual conditions or life chances of people in the real world of society (you can pick any society or country you wish to discuss), and why? Which is least relevant and why? Give some examples and also discuss how at least 3 or 4 of these concepts and identities intersect and result in real life outcomes of treatment, conditions, opportunities, advantages or disadvantages.