Abstract
This paper reviews approaches of economic sociology to explaining the development and functioning of markets.

From the Paper
"In the dim distant past before the discipline of economics attempted to redefine itself as a precise mathematical science, credible economists considered the effects of institutions on markets recognized that one size does not fit all in relation to human behavior and accepted the proposition that uncertainty can never be completely factored out of any analysis of human activity, The neoclassical economic perspective prevailing in today's world however goes to extremes to define each economic relationship as narrowly as possible to eliminate uncertainty and assign a ..."

Tags:Economic, Sociology, Neoclassical, economics

Abstract
Using three articles relating to the field of economic sociology, the paper explains the definition of economic sociology and its differences in discipline from the field of economics. The paper uses articles by Nicole Biggart, Charles W. Smith, and Wendy Griswold.

From the Paper
"Biggart examines the cultural significance of meetings and ceremonies within the organization, which serve to drive the sales force. Such events are cultural marks that motivate the sales force to sell and convince the buyers to buy. Meetings serve to "reinforce the image of the founders as special people are opportunities for articulating the founders' philosophies" (127). During meetings, status differences within the organization are displayed by rewarding high selling sales people and inviting them to sit on stage with the founders. There are "people who are separated and honored, and the rest are reminded of their inferior status" (140). This recognition of status ignites the sales force and directly impacts the market within the DSO."

Tags:auction, Tupperware

Abstract
This paper explains that Fred Block in his book "Postindustrial Possibilities: A Critique of Economic Discourse" states that today's society has passed the industrial stage and has moved onto a new nameless stage. The author points out that, according to Block, the postindustrial trends are the increasing importance of services and decreased importance in goods, computer-based automation and a less patriarchal society. The paper relates that, in addition to including traditional economists such as Marx, the social economist Karl Paul Polanyi is referenced often in this book. The author underscores that the book includes ideas of Ruth Cowan, who believes that domestic work is not taken into account in the GNP, which makes the output status somewhat inapt. The paper agrees with Block's conclusion that society desires objects of qualitative over quantitative.

From the Paper
"The chapter on labor showed that skill has actually increased since the 1970s even though robots and computers have been replacing human labor. People today become extremely knowledgeable on very little - we are all specialized. The capacity to work is a socially produced - it is not instinctive. The argument that economists do not properly analyze contemporary production is based on theoretical, empirical, and alternative views to the efficiency of labor."

Tags:services, computer-based, domestic, qualitative, social

Abstract
This paper is an article review of P. Davies' article "Is Economic Crime A Man's Game?" from the journal "Feminist Theory". It addresses why women are more likely to commit crimes where money is a motive than they are to commit violent crimes. The discussion section of the paper uses information from sociology/criminology texts to compare and contrast the article's assertions with those of other theorists.

From the Paper
"Women have historically been more likely to commit economic crime than violent crime, but the reasons behind this propensity have not been adequately explained. The first issue that arises when researching economic crime in general is the difficulty in finding a complete definition of economic crime. The simplest description breaks crime into two broad categories, crime for gain and crime not for gain (assault and sex offenses). Another variation is to describe crime in terms of the offender, for example crime committed by an individual for personal gain versus institutional crime such as corporate fraud, an approach that focuses more on the class of the offender, rather than addressing gender. "

Tags:criminology, sociology, prostitution, fraud, theft

Abstract
This paper explores the modern sociology theories of George Ritzer, including the three theories that are central to his view: Structural functionalism, critical theory and the McDonaldization phenomenon. The author points out that Ritzer viewed sociology as a multi-disciplinary paradigm.

From the Paper
"The modern sociological theories forwarded by George Ritzer involve three that are central to his views of sociology: Structural Functionalism, Critical Theory and McDonaldization. Ritzer's expansion of the views of Weber ..."

Tags:economics, capitalism, individual versus society, social institutions, McDonaldization

Abstract
This assignment is in two parts. The first answers questions to determine understanding of a sociology journal article on language development. The second part of the paper is a literature search on the effects of socio-economic status on academic achievement of children. The paper explains that three of the factors that influence academic performance are parent education and income, parent emotional well-being and family functioning, and neighborhood quality.

From the Paper
"What is the specific question being asked? The researchers were asking three questions. The first question was to determine whether the reorganization of speech perception in infants, from universal (all languages) phonetic discrimination to language-specific, within the first year of life is valid using synthetically produced sounds, rather than natural sounds. Secondly, the researchers were asking whether the changes in infant speech perception are best explained by phonetical relevance or by another kind of auditory analysis or contrast,..."

Tags:socio, economics, academic, neighborhood

Abstract
This paper argues that the development of modern historical scholarship away from an emphasis on the individual and towards a recognition of the role of social groups, such as classes and masses and large-scale economic, social, and cultural factors, has brought history and sociology into closer conjunction intellectually and methodologically. The author points out that the strong influence exerted by the academic discipline of sociology upon history during the 1960s was itself very important in bringing about this development in history's methodological approach. The paper stresses that neither sociology nor history should take over the other discipline, but that there is a strong identity in approach and methodology that must be recognized and indeed welcomed as intellectually vibrant.

From the Paper
"Bernhard J. Stern's observation of 1949 can be seen as an appeal for sociology to work in harmony with history; specifically, for sociologists to inform their work with an understanding of the value of historical context in providing substance to their discipline. This can be seen as an expression of a long-established critique of sociology, from the perspective of history: that it has a tendency to be abstract, to rely excessively on concepts and methodologies detached from the actual contexts of human interaction, even where the empirical study of social relationships is its starting point. For many sociologists this emphasis on abstract universal principles "the "nomothetic" emphasis of sociology" is precisely the discipline's strength and provides part of its reason for existing as a distinct discipline. It can be argued that all social science must strike an analytical balance between the general and the particular, and it has been part of sociology's identity that it has tended to come down on the side of the general."

Tags:idiographic, groups, critque, abstract, evidence

Abstract
By first examining religious phenomena, Durkheim's emphasis on the individual aspects of religion is outlined in this paper. This follows an examination of the typical functionalist ideal: That in order to understand a society, you must first examine its parts. It explains that Marx does not examine the facets of society, but this is because Marx is a materialist. Thus, Marx focused on the material foundation of religion, this being its economic origins. The paper then examines how Durkheim and Marx are very similar, as they both believe religion was created by society. It shows that, despite the differences in their respective paradigms, Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim's sociologies of religion are very similar.

From the Paper
"There are many different paradigms within the study of sociology; each leads to a different conclusion regarding society. Two of these paradigms are evident in the work of Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx. Durkheim was a functionalist, Marx, a realist. The functionalist perspective can be defined as "The doctrine that the function of an object should determine its design and materials"(Functionalist, 2002). Thus, in order to understand society, one must examine its parts and their functions. Materialists, on the other hand believe "that physical matter is the only reality and that everything, including thought, feeling, mind, and will, can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena" (Materialist, 2002). These opposing theories are evident in much of their respective works, as Durkheim's description is more detailed and functional, and Marx's is more purposeful. However, with regards to the sociology of religion, these differences are only skin-deep. Contrary to common belief, their underlying arguments are actually quite similar as will be proved subsequently."

Tags:durkheim, marx, religion

Abstract
This paper reviews the steady aging of the American population (certainly among the native-born) and looks at what this means for the social and economic future of the United States. In particular, the paper looks at the various economic, labor market, health and demographic trends gripping America and at how they are all coming together at a significant point in U.S. history. More than that, the paper argues that the United States faces possible economic contraction, run-away social costs, social fragmentation, and a general decline in vigor and/or productivity unless it finds a way to implement policy changes that will nudge the nation towards a brighter future.

Outline:
Abstract
References

From the Paper
"Other economic trends can be easily associated with an aging population. For one thing, it is axiomatic that older investors tend to be much more interested in investments that offer long-term security and reliable returns. Conversely, younger investors who have many more years in the workforce ahead of them - and who have the time necessary to "rebound" from a bad investment - may be more willing to put their money into high-risk, high-reward ventures. Suffice it to say, part of the vitality of the American economy resides in the willingness of people to "take a chance" and finance a fledgling company that has an uncertain future. As the population grows older, however, the interest in participating in venture capitalism and/or engaging in entrepreneurial activities diminishes in relative terms; as a result, a major component of America's economic success is greatly constrained."

Tags:diversity, growth, demography, expenditures

Abstract
This paper examines the discipline of sociology from a feminist approach. This includes an analysis which refers to gender criticism. Additionally, the paper cites that feminist criticism is about differences and marginalization of women in our patriarchal culture. It further applies the feminist approach to the present subject matter which includes an analysis of the material in terms of feminine consciousness and how women are portrayed socially, politically, sexually, economically, and religiously.

From the Paper
"The feminist approach in terms of analysis refers to gender criticism; it is about differences and marginalization of women in our patriarchal culture. Applying the feminist approach to the present subject matter (Northern Frontier Northern Homeland, by Thomas R. Berger), this means an analysis of the material in terms of feminine consciousness and how women are portrayed socially, politically, sexually, economically, and religiously. For the most part, women are portrayed in the subject matter in at least an equal light, and at times in a rather flattering light. The author, Berger, refers to the native peoples usually as people; he only..."

Tags:feminist, approach, berger