We discussed and applied the theoretical paradigms in relation to Hurricane Katrina. In addition, we began to think about how we know what we think we know, revealing the Social Construction of Reality.
Here are the powerpoint slides used in class:
Week 3 - Sept 13
Be ready to discuss the following questions on tuesday:
C. Wright Mills poses three sets of questions that he says are “the kinds of questions the best social analysts have asked. “Using Mills’ concept of the sociological imagination, apply these three questions listed below to a current social problem. How could you study each of these aspects? Why are these three factors important to understand in sociological research
What is the social structure?
What is the historical period?
What is known about human nature?
Romero argues that Chicana domestic servants are a “hidden population.” List four of the explanations she gives for the difficulties in finding statistical data on Chicana domestic servants.
How does the reading by Romero illustrate C. Wright Mills’ conception of the sociological imagination?
According to Schwalbe, what is “relativity of perspective”? How might sociologists use it as a research tool?
Schwalbe spends a good deal of his article talking about sociological mindfulness. What would sociology be like without sociological mindfulness? How might this affect others?
What does it mean when a researcher says he or she is an insider or outsider in his or her study? Why was Kaplan concerned about her position as an insider?
How does Kaplan think her research will help teenage mothers? What suggestions can you make to improve the lives of teenage mothers?
Posted by coph0004 at September 14, 2005 10:41 AM