1. Describe the distribution of power in the United States using the three theoretical models of political power. What do the three models have in common? What are their major differences? To what extent does each assess U.S. society as democratic? Why?
2. Identify at least four factors that are related to the high divorce rate in the United States. Why has the divorce rate increased over the course of the last century?
3. Based on the ideas of Emile Durkheim, identify three functions of religion for society. In light of these functions, do you think that a decline in the importance of religion might threaten U.S. society? If so, how? Could the family and, perhaps, the school "take over" some of religion's functions? Why or why not? ?