Project description
We should respond all the questions by studying Course Text: Zygmunt Bauman & Tim May, 2001, Thinking Sociologically, 2nd edn., Blackwell as well as the ‘Suggested Further Reading’ in Bauman & May, p. 182-89.
 
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Referencing Requirements:
Zygmunt Bauman & Tim May, 2001, Thinking Sociologically, 2nd edn., Blackwell.
WE SHOULD ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS USING Course Text: Zygmunt Bauman &Tim May, 2001, Thinking Sociologically, 2nd edn., Blackwell
1· What factors might limit our ability to control our own lives?
· “How we act and see ourselves is informed by the expectations of the groups to which we belong” (p. 20). How far is this true of your own experience?
2. · How do we acquire our sense of ‘self’ ?
Consider what sociologists and others, such as Chodorow & Freud, tell us about the process of socialization.
· How might ‘significant others’ and ‘reference groups’ contribute to our sense of ‘self’?
(You might like to consider this conundrum; “I am not who I think I am and I am not who you think I am. I am what I think you think I am” (attributed to G H Meade).
3.· Who are the people whose actions play a key role in shaping our daily lives – and where are they located in terms of their ‘social distance’ from us? What conclusions might you draw from this?
· How important are social distinctions and social divisions (e.g. ‘in-groups’ & ‘out-groups’, ‘Us’ & ‘Them’) in giving us our sense of self-identity? Give some examples. Would you still have an identity in a world without such divisions?
4.· Who or what might threaten the boundaries/cohesiveness of a social group, and why? Give examples. Are the anxieties aroused, justified, in your view?
· What are some of the practices of segregation which you have observed in city life? Are there others, you may not have observed, but which might affect you in some way?
5.· Distinguish between ‘community’ and ‘organization’? Give some examples of each.
· How are ‘communities’ formed, and maintained? Give examples of different types of ‘community’.
6.· According to Weber, what are the key characteristics of bureaucratic forms of organization?
· Can you suggest some possible practical sources of conflict in Weber’s ideal model of bureaucracy?
7.· According to Bauman & May, what distinguishes ‘rational actions’ from ‘irrational actions’? Is this a useful distinction, in your view?
· Distinguish between ‘power’ and ‘authority’. How are they exercised?
8· “All ownership divides and distinguishes people”( p. 69). In what respects?
· With the aid of examples, consider the validity or otherwise of the following statement: ‘Bureaucracy can serve human and inhuman needs’.
What conclusions might you draw about the conduct of individuals in a bureaucratic organization?
9· What roles do ‘love’ and ‘exchange’ play in human relationships?
· Can we find our true ‘selves’ in love-relationships?
10· Can the consumer market supply us with an identity of our choice?
What, in your view, are some of the key hazards of ‘love-relationships’?
11.· In what ways are the health and well-being of our bodies a fundamental part of our daily lives?
· “’Being a male’ or ‘being a female is a question of art which needs to be learned, practiced, and constantly perfected” (P105)). How is this ‘art’ accomplished?
12· “The body is the part of ourselves which is always on display, and people tend to judge by what they can see” ( p. 103). How might this affect the way we, and others, regard our bodies?
· “Our sexuality…is a task that is performed” (Bauman & May, p. 106). Explain.
13· ‘Time and space are shrinking’. Explain.
· What are some of the social consequences of the spread of electronic means of communication?
14.· What do Bauman & May mean by the terms ‘risk society’ and ‘globalization’?
· How might thinking sociologically help us understand some of the consequences of ‘globalization’?
15.· Describe briefly the various kinds of ‘boundaries’ (e.g. between ‘nature’ and ‘culture’; ‘nation’ & ‘state’) discussed by Bauman & May.
· In what ways does Bauman & May’s sociological perspective help us think about some critical contemporary issues concerning ‘culture’, ‘nation’ and ‘state’?
16.· How do we become ‘consumers of expertise’? (Bauman & May, p. 151)
· “Its championship of equality notwithstanding, the market…produces and reinstates inequality in a society made of consumers” (Bauman & May, p. 160). How valid is this statement?
·17. How far has ‘thinking sociologically’ enhanced your understanding of everyday life? (Note the two senses of ‘understanding’, p. 165).

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Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior.

Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior. Professionals in the field apply a sociological lens to examine various influences on society in order to better understand current and historical behaviors. This perspective assists professionals in examining various social structures and institutions, which are systems in society that influence human behavior, to inform their understanding of groups as well as daily interactions with diverse viewpoints. For this project, you will examine a contemporary social issue using your sociological lens. You will create a concept map, breaking the social issue that you have chosen into smaller pieces related to certain sociological concepts, describe the relationship of the concepts and smaller pieces to the social issue, and explain how the sociological concepts help you better understand the social issue. The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, and Five. The final concept map and paper will be submitted in Module Seven. In this assignment you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes: Explain cultural beliefs and biases utilizing a sociological lens . Explain the influences that shape the creation of roles within society utilizing real-world examples . Draw basic connections between social inequalities and human behavior . Identify the relationship between social change and contemporary social problems through the application of basic sociological concepts Prompt You will begin by selecting your own contemporary social issue to use as the base of your project. You may use an issue from the list provided below or choose an issue of interest to you that you find in the news or media, or perhaps one you encounter in your daily life. Bullying , Crime and violence ,Drug and alcohol abuse ,Income inequality and wealth distribution You will then create a concept map to break down your selected issue into supporting sociological concepts. These sociological concepts will include: Cultural beliefs and biases ,Social roles , Social inequalities , Existing social conditions You will also explain the relationship between the sociological concepts and the social issue, describing how the concept is present in the social issue. In paper format, you will explain how the connections you made in the map between the sociological concepts and the social issue helped you better understand the social issue. This is where you will demonstrate the importance of using a sociological view when examining social issues.

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