1. Consider the three major sociological schools of thought presented in this weeks readings. How does each school of thought influence one another? Is each school of thought equally important? Are all of them interrelated?
2. Choose some aspect of society. Explain how each of the three major schools of thought (structural functionalist, symbolic interactionism, conflict theory) would explain the aspect of society that you have chosen. Which one do you feel has the best explanation for that aspect of society?
3. Name a few criticisms of Marxian theory. Why are these criticisms relevant regarding the history of sociology? What is the significance of the criticisms?
4. According to George Herbert Mead, the social group must come first, as it leads to the development of the self-conscious and mental state. The Act is the most primitive unit in his theory. Describe the stages of The Act. Why are these stages important to Meads theory?
5. How have exchange theory, network theory, and rational choice theory contributed to modern social theory?
6. Discern between Micro-Macro Integration and Agency- Structure. Compare and contrast these two concepts.
7. Anthony Giddens defines modernity in terms of four basic institutions: 1) capitalism, 2) industrialism, 3) surveillance capacities, and 4) control of the means of violence. Explain the four aforementioned institutions. Compare and contrast the four basic institutions. What are some similarities? What are some differences?
8. Looking at the four basic institutions of modernity, which do you find most helpful and which one do you find least helpful. Support your answer.
Reference
Dillion, M. (2014). Introduction to sociological theory: Theorists, concepts and their applicability to the Twenty-First Century (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN-13: 9781118471920
