Answer one of the following questions:
1. Explain Talcott Parsons' main arguments his essay, "Sex Roles in the American Kinship System" and how they relate to key ideas within structural functionalism (as described by Jonathan Turner).
Explain how Parson's arguments are related to the main assumptions of structural functionalism (as described by Jonathan Turner) and differ from the assumptions of conflict theories.
Critically evaluate Parsons' (1943) analysis of American sex roles and the extent to which they do or do not explain gender roles today and how they have changed over time. What are the main strengths and/or weaknesses of Parsons' approach to this topic? Provide evidence or examples to support your argument.
2. Both Immanuel Wallerstein and C.W. Mills provide theories about the forces that shape foreign policy and militarism. Compare Wallerstein's world systems theory and Mills' power-elite theory and explain how their arguments regarding this topic are related to the main assumptions of conflict theories and differ from the assumptions of functionalist theories.
To what extent are Wallerstein's and Mill's theoretical perspectives useful for understanding U.S. militarism and foreign policy today? What are the main strengths and/or weaknesses of their theoretical approaches to this topic? Provide evidence or examples to support your argument.
3. Explain the main assumptions of C.W. Mills' power-elite theory and what it suggests about which social group(s) hold political power in the U.S..
Explain how Mills' power-elite theory relates to the main assumptions of conflict theories and differs from the assumptions of functionalist theories.
To what extent are Mill's arguments still relevant today? What are the main strengths and/or weaknesses of Mills' theoretical approach to this topic? Provide evidence or examples to support your argument.
4. How are local and national cultures shaped by relations of domination, resistance, and globalization? Compare and evaluate the theoretical arguments on this topic from two of the following three theorists: Franz Fanon, Stuart Hall, Uma Narayan.
Explain how each author's theoretical perspective builds on the main assumptions of particular types of conflict theories and differs from the main assumptions of functionalist theories. To what extent are each author's arguments still relevant today?
What are the main strengths and/or weaknesses of each author's theoretical perspective? Provide evidence or examples to support your argument.
Length: 4.5-5 pages, typed, double-spaced 12 point font
Note: Teaching Assistants will not accept late papers unless you discuss it with the professor ahead of time (or as soon as possible) and have an approved, legitimate excuse.