Download The Sociological Perspective

Wadsworth’s
LECTURE LAUNCHERS
For Introductory Sociology
Wadsworth’s LECTURE LAUNCHERS for Introductory Sociology is an exclusive offering jointly created by Wadsworth/Thomson Learning and DALLAS
TeleLearning. This video contains a collection of video highlights taken from the highly acclaimed Exploring Society: Introduction to Sociology Telecourse
(formerly the Sociological Imagination). Each 3-6 minute long video segment has been especially chosen to enhance and enliven class lectures and discussion of
20 key topics covered in any introductory sociology text. Below is a brief written description of each segment, along with suggested discussion questions to help
you effectively incorporate the material into the classroom.
Segment
1.
Title
The Sociological Imagination
Topic
The Sociological Perspective
Time
4.21
Description
Using a parade as an example of society,
this segment explains the concept of the
sociological imagination and discusses the
patterns of human behavior and social order
that sociologists examine.
1.
2.
3.
2.
The Feminist Perspective
The Sociological Perspective
3.80
Gender shapes the social experience of
individuals in ways that often go
unrecognized. This clip discusses the
important and unique contributions that the
feminist perspective brings to sociological
study.
1.
2.
3.
Discussion Questions
How does a parade serve as an
opportunity to exercise one's
sociological imagination?
Explain the relationship between
social structure and parades.
Are there other social activities such
as a parade in which you can see a
micro-sociological example of our
social structure?
What are some examples of gender
differences in our society that are
obvious?
What are some ways in which gender
affects our lives that are not always
obvious?
How important is gender socialization
in a more androgynous world?
Full file at http://testbank360.eu/solution-manual-sociology-2nd-edition-brym
3.
Elian Gonzalez: A Refugee's
Story
Research Methods
5.13
By applying sociological perspectives to the
Elian Gonzalez case, this segment shows
students how real life experiences and
events can be analyzed sociologically.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Mixed Research Methods &
New York City's Homeless
Culture Shock
The Nature vs. Nurture Debate
Research Methods
Culture
Socialization
4.94
2.93
2.77
This segment discusses a real-life
sociological research project among the
homeless population in New York City to
illustrate the practical application of
research and the effectiveness of using
multiple research methods.
1.
The familiar expression "a fish out of
water" serves as an analogy to explain the
sociological concept of culture shock and
the human tendency to take for granted
one's cultural environment.
1.
This segment explains both sides of the
debate over the influence of nature vs.
nurture on the socialization process.
1.
2.
3.
2.
3.
2.
3.
7.
Social Interaction: The Ropes
Course
Social Interaction and
Social Structure
4.42
A ropes course demonstrates the dynamics
of teamwork and group leadership and how
the process of social interaction shapes
social structure.
1.
2.
3.
2
How is the conflict perspective
illustrated in the case of Elian
Gonzalez?
What are some examples of conflict in
the Elian Gonzalez case?
How would you apply other
sociological perspectives such as
functionalism or interactionism to the
Elian Gonzalez case?
What are the research methods used
by Kornblum and Williams?
Why would interviews be appropriate
in this research effort?
What are the practical outcomes of
this research?
How does culture shock affect an
individual?
Why is the expression "A fish out of
water" descriptive of culture shock?
Give some examples of culture shock.
Who was an early proponent of
nature's influence?
Who were early proponents of the
nurture side of the nature vs. nurture
debate?
Which do you feel is more influential
in development, nature or nurture?
Why?
How does social structure relate to
function in the ropes course?
How is leadership determined in the
ropes course?
What is the role of socialization in
shaping our lives?
Full file at http://testbank360.eu/solution-manual-sociology-2nd-edition-brym
8.
Bystander Apathy
Groups and Organizations
2.16
The case of Kitty Genovese is a classic
example of the so-called bystander apathy
effect and illustrates how group dynamics
can affect individual actions.
1.
2.
3.
9.
10.
The McDonaldization of
Society
The Criminal Justice System:
Plea Bargaining
Groups and Organizations
Deviance and Crime
2.77
3.13
This segment explains George Ritzer’s
concept of the McDonaldization of
society—how the basic principles of
bureaucracy that characterize fast-food
organizations are increasingly dominating
more and more aspects of society in the
U.S. and beyond, with both positive and
negative results.
1.
2.
This segment looks behind the scenes to
examine the practice of plea bargaining,
showing the reality of the criminal justice
system at work and the issues that challenge
the integrity of the system.
1.
3.
2.
3.
11.
Effects of Social Mobility: A
Personal Journey
Social Stratification
4.24
Elaine Bell Kaplan’s personal success story
is a prime example of how, through
education, upward social mobility is both
possible and life changing.
1.
2.
3.
12.
Life Chances: The Guerry
Family
Social Stratification
4.06
By taking a look at the experience of one
family, this segment discusses the many
factors that can affect and determine a
person’s life chances.
3
1.
2.
3.
What is bystander apathy?
What explanation does the Kitty
Genovese example offer as to why
groups of people are apathetic?
In the absence of clearly defined
responsibility, what happens?
What is McDonaldization?
What are examples of
McDonaldization illustrated in this
video segment?
Where else in our culture do you see
McDonaldization occurring?
What are the functions of plea
bargaining within the criminal justice
system?
What are the dysfunctions of plea
bargaining for the larger society?
What is the third time offender law?
In Elaine Bell Kaplan’s life through
upward mobility she has risen to what
level?
What was the major factor that made
upward mobility possible for Elaine
Bell Kaplan?
What are some indicators of Elaine
Bell Kaplan’s socioeconomic status as
a child and today?
What are life chances?
How do life chances change for the
Guerry family?
What are the pros and cons of selfemployment?
Full file at http://testbank360.eu/solution-manual-sociology-2nd-edition-brym
13.
14.
15.
Genocide: Mike Jacobs’ Story
Native American Assimilation
Gender Inequality
Race and Ethnicity
Race and Ethnicity
Gender and Sex
2.79
2.74
5.28
Mike Jacobs’ personal story of the
Holocaust illustrates one of the most
horrific patterns of intergroup relations—
genocide, the deliberate and systematic
killing of a people.
1.
The story of Edward and Wilson
Hummingbird conveys the mixed
experience of both forced and voluntary
Native American assimilation into U.S.
society.
1.
Within the historical context of the women's
movement and its many successes, this
segment discusses the gender inequalities
that persist today such as the salary gap and
the glass ceiling.
1.
2.
3.
2.
3.
2.
3.
16.
Then and Now: Aging in the
Movies
Age and Aging
3.04
This segment suggests some of the social
implications of aging in the U.S. by looking
at the evolving portrayal of the elderly in
the movies.
1.
2.
3.
17.
Family Structures
Families
5.11
This segment discusses the wide and
complex variety of family structures and the
changing nature of the family in the U.S.
1.
2.
3.
4
For Mike Jacobs, what were the
lasting effects of the Holocaust?
How has Mike Jacobs’ story provided
new insights into the Holocaust?
What did Mike Jacobs do to assure
that others do not remain ignorant of
the atrocities of the Holocaust?
What are the major characteristics of a
nation?
What is dual citizenship as it relates to
the Hummingbirds?
What are the differences between
Edward and Wilson Hummingbird?
What gender inequalities still exist
today?
What is a glass ceiling? How can
individuals break through the glass
ceiling?
Are there other forms of glass ceilings
that are faced by those other than
women?
What are the images that the media
presents of the elderly? Are they
positive or negative?
What are some stereotypical images
that we have regarding the elderly?
Have images of the elderly as seen in
movies changed over the past 60
years?
What constitutes a blended family?
What are the major roles in the family
and how are they defined?
How can children benefit from life in
an extended family?
Full file at http://testbank360.eu/solution-manual-sociology-2nd-edition-brym
18.
Roles in Education
Education
3.17
This segment takes a sociological view of
the education system by defining the social
roles and functions of both students and
educators within this social institution.
1.
2.
3.
19.
The Role of Religion
Religion
1.97
While religion is a familiar concept to most,
this segment discusses the various social
functions that religion serves for both
individuals and society at large.
1.
2.
3.
20.
Globalization
Economy and Work
3.29
This segment discusses the globalization of
the economic system and the positive and
negative effects this expanding global
market is having on the U.S. and other
countries around the world.
1.
2.
3.
21.
Integrity of the Electoral
Process
Power, Politics and Authority
6.10
The 2000 U.S. presidential election
exemplifies how the integrity of the
electoral process has been put to the test.
This segment raises many questions and
issues about power and the establishment of
legitimate authority that challenge the U.S.
political institution from within.
1.
2.
3.
5
What are the roles that are defined for
students?
What are the roles for teachers in an
academic setting?
Does the academic setting change the
role for the student and the teacher?
How?
If religion creates a moral community
in a culture, is there room for differing
religions in one culture?
How has the role of women in religion
changed?
Has the function of religion changed?
Our world has become more
globalized and this has resulted in
environmental challenges. Give some
examples.
How does technology relate to
globalization?
How does the struggle between
globalization and technology
challenge some of our values?
Explain the importance of every
eligible voter exercising his or her
right to vote in light of the 2000
Presidential election.
How does the electoral college work
and is it truly representative of the
population?
What are the implications for future
elections?
Full file at http://testbank360.eu/solution-manual-sociology-2nd-edition-brym
22.
23.
24.
Alternative Health Care
Methods
Urban Issues
AIDS Action: One Man's
Personal Story
Health Care
Population, Urbanism, and
Environment
Collective Behavior and
Social Movements
3.09
4.81
6.31
In the U.S., we are most accustomed to the
practices of conventional Western medicine.
This segment illustrates how culture has an
affect on the choice of approach to medical
treatment and shows how alternative
methods of practicing medicine have
enriched U.S health care.
1.
This segment discusses the various
contemporary issues facing the changing
urban landscape, from environmental
pollution to gentrification.
1.
Sociologist and activist Victor Ayala's
ability to change the lives of many with
AIDS illustrates how individual concern can
translate into social action.
1.
2.
3.
2.
3.
2.
3.
25.
Cathedrals of Consumption
Social Change
2.95
George Ritzer discusses how the expanding
role of the consumer and the new "religion
of consumption" is increasingly
transforming American society.
1.
2.
3.
6
What is the focus of Mexican folk
medicine? Of acupuncture? Of
Ayurveda?
Are alternative methods of healing of
value in terms of true healing?
Do medical practices from other
cultures meet needs that traditional
medicine cannot?
Explain gentrification and who is
affected by it.
Who benefits from gentrification?
What are the social benefits of green
space?
What does it mean to translate a
personal problem into a social issue?
How does Victor Ayala's research and
action provide a positive model for
others?
Describe the empirical research of
Victor Ayala and the variables he
examined.
What are some examples of
“cathedrals of consumption”?
Beyond just consumption, what other
functions do these structures provide
in our culture?
How have the “cathedrals of
consumption” changed our society?