Delta State University
SOC 101: Principles of Sociology
Spring Semester 2005
Study
Questions
Week 1
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Topic for the Week:
Introduction to Sociology
Readings for the Week:
Society: The Basics, Chapter 1
Sociological Footprints, Chapters 1 (Durkheim), 2 (Mills) and 5 (Berger)
Questions:
(1) Identify the following
sociologists and their contributions to the discipline:
Auguste Comte
Harriet Martineau
Herbert Spencer
Jane Addams
Karl Marx
W.E.B. DuBois
Emile Durkheim
C. Wright Mills
Max Weber
Robert Merton
(2) Peter Berger says that the sociological perspective allows us to see the
general in the particular. What does Berger’s statement tell us about the
subject matter sociologists study? What are some of the benefits of viewing the
world through the sociological perspective?
(3) Is sociology a science? Why or why not? What elements distinguish scientific knowledge from other forms of knowing?
(4) What is a theory? How
does a theory differ from a theoretical paradigm? What role does theory play in
sociology? What is the difference between a theory and a stereotype?
(5) Identify three theoretical paradigms in sociology. What characteristics
distinguish the structural-functional, social-conflict, and symbolic-interaction
approaches? What is the difference between a micro- and a macro-level
orientation?
(6) What did Max Weber mean when he suggested sociological research should be
value free? What role do values play in sociological research? Distinguish
objective, interpretive and critical approaches to the study of society.
(7) Explain the logic of the following research methods used by sociologists:
Experiments
Participant Observation
Surveys
Existing Studies
Under what circumstances would a researcher choose one of these methods over
another? What are some advantages and disadvantages of each approach?
(8) What steps do sociologists follow in conducting a
study? Do these steps apply to all types of research?