Abstract
This paper discusses fundamentalism, a social change theory developed by Durkheim. The paper presents an overview of the theory within multiple contexts. The paper also describes how these varying contexts influenced the development of his theory. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of social change according to this theory.

From the Paper
"The following presents the topic of social change in context. A specific social change theory, functionalism, and a specific theorist, Durkheim, are presented. This is followed by an overview of the theory within multiple contexts..."

Tags:social change, Durkheim, Functionalism

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses how the case of Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion caused social change in the United States.

From the Paper
Roe v Wade Law and Social ChangeIntroduction In Roe v Wade the U S Supreme Court extended the right ofprivacy to the choice of abortion It ruled via a seven vote majority thatthe right of privacy was broad enough to encompass a woman's decisionwhether or not to terminate her pregnancy and held that should the statemake it illegal for a woman to do so this would impose upon the pregnantwoman and all concerned the burden of an unwanted child Hall Movingforward from

Tags:Roe v. Wade, abortion, social change

Abstract
This paper examines the concept of change and revolution in Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "Ode to the West Wind". The paper points out that Shelley's poetry and theories embody many of the characteristics that typify the Romantic period, such as the rejection of social norms and conventions, as well as themes of dejection, loss and alienation. The paper asserts that the poem is a lamentation of the loss brought on to nature through the west wind during the winter months. However, at the same time, the speaker seeks refuge in the anticipated regeneration of nature which occurs in the spring through the same force of the west wind. The paper concludes that, through this similar process, Shelley exults in the idea that his poem will have a similar influence on society and future generations as the west wind has on nature.

From the Paper
"The second section of this poem, which includes stanzas four and five, reveals that Shelley is able to seek delight in the fact that his writings could potentially have similar consequences to society as the West Wind has on nature. In the fourth stanza, Shelley expresses his desire for nature as he prays to a greater force by saying "Oh lift me as a wave, a leaf, a cloud" (53). This plea by Shelley exemplifies the power that he believes nature possesses, as he now feels inferior to the power inherited in nature and begs for nature's mercy. Moreover, Shelley comes to the realization that the only way in which he can ultimately acquire the power of the wind is through the process of death, as with death, come rebirth in the naturalistic realm. This is evident as Shelley proclaims "I fall upon the thorns of life! I bled!" (54). Shelley then shows his understanding of the inevitability of his death as he state "A heavy weight of hours has chained and bowed/ One too like thee--tameless, and swift, and proud" (55-56). Not only does Shelley understand this inevitability, but he reveals that he may be undeserving of the inevitable death as he has been "chained" to the confinement of humanity, in which Shelley himself will not regenerate even though he is an individual of pride. He also appears to be attempting to plea with the wind, as he parallels himself to the personification that he gave to the wind such as wild and tameless."

Tags:Romanticism, nature, social, change, revolution

Abstract
This paper argues that any true societal change is marked by interconnected economic, social, technological and political change--each of which are clearly marked by issues of uncertainty, diversity and agency--issues that form the very glue cementing the change into the fabric of society within the United Kingdom and around the world. The author points out that the more "traditional" social changes, which are just as interconnected to the technological change as the political and economic factors, include aspects such as work patterns, leisure patterns, consumer patterns, relationship and family patterns and even health issues.

From the Paper
"In the World Economic Forum notes from the 2000 annual meeting, Prime Minister Tony Blair sought to illustrate the importance of societal change within the United Kingdom as a means of societal advancement. In specific, he called for governments to "match the pace of change currently occurring in the world of information technology and e-commerce." In response, another speaker and representative of Dell offered Blair advice, namely that, "if governments believe e-commerce is important then they should start using it themselves. In this way governments can truly help lead the change needed to transform societies."

Tags:glue, importance, e-commerce, traditional, catalyst

Abstract
This paper discusses whether education can be used to foster social change and if so, how this could be achieved. The paper argues that education can be used to foster positive social change. However, it also presents the opinion that education imitates and reflects society, it does not create it and that according to this view it is not possible for education to change society.

From the Paper
"Education and Social Change Can education be used to foster social change? And if so, how could this be achieved? For example, could education be used to deliberately improve society, or to deliberately make it worse? This paper will argue that education can be used to foster positive social change. We first need to consider an important theoretical question. Does education change society, or does society change education? Emile Durkheim argued that education merely reflects society, stating that education: is only the image and reflection of society. It imitates and reproduces the latter, it does not create it. Because of this, Durkheim maintained that it is not possible for education to change society."

Tags:education, prejudice, society

Abstract
This paper discusses how when the general public thinks of research, they think of an active investigator making use of passive data. In the case of human-based research, if the general public thinks of it at all, they assume that research consists of the researcher asking questions of a responsive participant. Participatory action research (PAR), however, alters these patterns of research. This paper further addresses how PAR can have an effect on social change? Is it possible for it, also, to effect change in educational organizations? What is Participatory Action Research (PAR)?

Tags:participatory, action, research

Abstract
This paper discusses how although Marxist and functionalist sociologists both have very different views concerning the sociology of religion, they both see religion as a conservative force which discourages social change. It looks at how functionalists, such as Durkheim and Parsons, argue that religion is central to the reproduction and maintenance of social order in society and how by encouraging members to conform to the practices, values and beliefs of the religion, society is controlled. It shows how for functionalist sociologists the main role of religion is to socialize society's members into a value consensus and how functionalists argue that religion is a beneficial conservative force because it maintains consensus, integrates people into society and promotes social order.

From the Paper
"Functionalism can be seen to completely ignore the dysfunctional consequences that are caused by religion and so their argument that religion contributes to a value consensus necessary for social order can be seen as an invalid claim. Both functionalism and Marxism have been criticized for failing to consider the process of secularization in their arguments. This consequentially makes their claims that religion has the power to repress social change be considered as implausible. A further criticism, which perhaps is the most important and can be applied to Marxism, functionalism and the feminist argument is that they completely ignore examples of religious movements which have brought about radical and social change in their arguments."

Tags:functionalism, fundamentalism, liberation, marxism, protestant

Abstract
The paper first looks at the historical framework of the notion of empowerment as a facilitator of change. The paper then explores the hierarchy of empowerment, that includes the levels of individual empowerment, advocacy, psychological empowerment, political empowerment and socio-political empowerment. The paper concludes with a summary of the main points derived from this study.

Outline:
Historical Framework
Conceptual Framework
Summary

From the Paper
"Recent history has borne witness to one of the most interesting paradigm shifts within the fields of community, occupational and educational psychology. Within the past decade and a half we have seen a shift from a deficit-based model of social change to a strength-based one. At the heart of this strength-based model is the notion of individual empowerment first and foremost and subsequent collective empowerment. This empowerment is rooted in the current empowerment theory and its relationship with social change as well as new social movement theories. Rappaport (2002) defines empowerment as a process or mechanism whereby individuals, organizations and communities gain mastery over their lives. Taken in its historical context, empowerment theory and its practical application focuses on individual enlightenment which then facilitates collective empowerment, action and social change (Fairholm, 2004)."

Tags:individual, psychological, political, socio-political, empowerment, advocacy, community, environment, participation, human, services

Abstract
This paper explores the history and the performance record of Chief Richard J. Pennington from the Atlanta Police Department to illustrate the role of police within society and how leadership in areas such as law enforcement is crucial to accurately create social change. In order to achieve this goal, the history of Pennington from his period working in the New Orleans Police Department is addressed.

Abstract
This paper defines the objective of a sober bourgeois capitalism through Max Weber's sociological basis of religious morality and the extended rationality that define how capital was created after the fall of Roman Catholicism in the West. These issues and concepts of social change are discussed in greater depth through the essay.

From the Paper
"Topic 3: Understanding Social Change and Protestant Capitalism in the Classical Sociology of Max Weber This sociological study will examine the role of Protestantism and capitalism in the philosophy of Max Weber. By discovering the roots of capitalism within the "sober bourgeois capitalism" Weber defines a far less spiritually based society that has become commodity based through varying levels of labor and capitalistic institutions. In essence, Weber is seeking to imply that the role of idea and beliefs in social change partially rely on the moral of money and the building of a rigid social hierarchy that depends on capitalistic religious institutions. The rationality that was espoused in the Protestant ethic revolves around the basis for Weber's critical perspective on how capital became highly functional, especially in certain ascetic traditions within the religious sect."

Tags:weber, sociology, protestant