Paper Summary:

This paper compares and contrasts some of the major sociological approaches that exist. It looks at the structural functionalist approach, the social conflict theory and symbolic interactionism. The paper also describes each of these theories and discusses their application to various aspects of teaching. The paper's discussion regarding teaching is written from the point of view of the writer, who is a teacher.

Table of Contents:
Overview
Application

From the Paper:

"Symbolic interactionists, however, would see the tutor-student relationship as completely different. First of all, symbolic interactionalists would highlight the contextual nature of being a student. One minute, with a teacher, I am in class, playing the role of a student. The next minute, I am a teacher, with power, with knowledge, with the answers, and also I am enforcing the rules of the classroom to ensure that the teaching session proceeds in a timely fashion and that everything I desire to accomplish is accomplished. Holding the position of tutor is a tenuously negotiated role, as I, as a tutor, wish to feel a sense of authority (and get paid, except when I am tutoring a younger relative) and the subject wishes to pass a class and receive a good exam grade, and is thus willing to give me authority that he or she might not otherwise give to me in a personal relationship."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Collins, Randall. (1974). "Basics of Conflict Theory." From Conflict Sociology. New York: Academic Press, pp.56-61. Available on 16 Aug 2007 at http://www2.pfeiffer.edu/~lridener/courses/COLLINR1.HTML
• "Goffman - Symbolic Interactionist." (2007). Revision Notes. Retrieved 16 Aug 2007 at http://www.revision-notes.co.uk/revision/872.html
• "Structural Functionalism." (2007). Anthrobase dictionary. Retrieved 16 Aug 2007 at http://www.anthrobase.com/Dic/eng/def/structural_functionalism.htm

Visitors who viewed this Comparison Essay also liked these:

• Essay # 88293 : "Sociological Approaches to Deviance"
• Analytical Essay # 110046 : "Approaches to Teaching"
• Essay # 32405 : "Approaches to Employment Development"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: