Lesson 13 - SOCIOLOGY 101 On Line

 

AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE THERE ARE 3 ACTION ASSIGNMENTS (ESSAYS) TO BE COMPLETED AND EMAILED TO ME BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

 

CHAPTER 13 – Social Structure and Society

 

Study Assignment:  Read chapter 13 – Sociology 101 by Jon Shepard

 

Chapter 13

 

After careful study of this chapter, you will be able to:

 

  • Distinguish among power, coercion, and authority and identify three basic forms of authority.
  • Discuss the nation-state, comparing and contrasting the functionalist and conflict approaches to this form of political authority.
  • Identify the major differences between democracy, totalitarianism, and authoritarianism.
  • Differentiate the views of functionalism and conflict theory on the distribution of power in America.
  • Describe the major characteristics of capitalism, socialism, and mixed economic systems.
  • Discuss the effects of the modern corporation on American society.
  • Describe America’s changing workforce composition and occupational structure.
  • Discuss corporate downsizing and its consequences

 

Chapter 13

 

1.      Functionalism and conflict theory each has a unique perspective on the nature and purpose of the nation-state. Do you think that one of these perspectives more accurately describes American society that the other? Why or why not?

2.      Define the concept of the power elite. Is American society best characterized as a pluralist society or a society controlled by a power elite? Defend your position.

3.      Distinguish between the two global cultures of capitalism. Do you envision a convergence of these two approaches to capitalism within the rapidly developing global marketplace? Support your viewpoint.