Abstract This essay critically assesses the contribution of cultural sociology to the understanding of religion. It does this by first examining and summarizing how three "classical sociological theorists" (i.e.: Weber, Durkheim and Marx) see the nature of religion as a cultural form. It then looks at various recent theories of religion under globalization. The author then assesses the contribution that these cultural theories give to the understanding of real religious phenomena through examining whether they can help in an understanding of Islamic fundamentalism in general, and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Algeria specifically. The paper includes extensive use of quotes from the three theorists.
From the Paper "In fact, according to Giddens, Marx believed that religion is the "opium of the people" (Giddens, 1996, p464). In other words, Marx believed that religion defers happiness and rewards to the afterlife, teaching the acceptance of existing conditions in this life. This means that attention is diverted away from inequalities and injustices in this life by promising a better future in the Afterlife. In addition to this, Budd believes that Marx thought religion not only reflected the suffering of the working class, but offered a "fantasy escape" from that suffering (Budd, 1973). Marx believed that religion had a very powerful ideological element, and that religious beliefs and values often provide justifications of inequalities of wealth and power (Giddens, 1996). He further claims that religion often has ideological implications which serve to justify the interests of the ruling class at the expense of other subordinate classes (Giddens, 1996)."
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of the scientific method to sociological research. The author explains the way it is employed in sociological studies.
From the Paper "When considering the field of sociology, many researchers reject the idea that it may be classified as a science in the same sense that biology and chemistry are. Indeed many believe that because sociology studies phenomena that usually..."
Tags:sociology, science, scientfic method, hypothesis, data
Abstract The writer of this essay examines sociological perspectives for law enforcement. In this article, perspectives on crime and crime prevention are explored. The writer discusses sociology as a tool, that can be used at the planning and policy levels to devise more effective crime prevention strategies.
From the Paper "The first reaction of a working law enforcement officer on hearing the word sociology is likely to be negative. It evokes a mental image of naive professors who have little or no experience of crime, its perpetrators or its victims and who spend their time coming up with theories of root causes of crime that supposedly absolve criminals of all responsibility for their actions. This image, however, has been largely created by Hollywood and has little more ... "
Abstract The paper examines a few key components of Durkheim's path breaking work. Specifically, the paper reviews Durkheim's rules for the sociological method, as well as his functionalist approach to sociology. No less important, some time is devoted to examining why social integration and social solidarity were so important to his functionalist theory.
From the Paper "Emile Durkheim's contributions to sociology are voluminous. The following paper will examine a few key components of Durkheim's path-breaking work. Specifically, the next several pages will review Durkheim's rules for the sociological method, as well as his functionalist approach to sociology; no less importantly, some time will be devoted to examining why social integration and social solidarity were so important to his functionalist theory. From there, the paper will review the relevance of Durkheim's sociology to today's world and conclude with how his sociological method might be modified to address with a pressing social issue taking place presently."
Abstract This paper proposes that the study of sociology is readily applicable to the workplace. Although sociology explores human society, the author contends that social arrangements found in the world also exist within human organizations. This discipline can tell us much about business structures and corporations.
From the Paper "Sociology, as most of us well know, is the study of human society and of the social institutions and arrangements human beings create. What is perhaps less well-known, however, is that sociology also tells us much about the business structures and corporations which define our contemporary world. For example, it seems logical to conclude that the same social arrangements which inform the world outside a large organization are the very same ones found inside a large organization - for the most part. Therefore, business or professional organizations in a patriarchal (or matriarchal) society can be reasonably expected"
Abstract This paper examines the concepts of gender inequality and racial prejudice from James M. Henslin's "Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach". The author points out that the dimensions of each of these structural injustices.
From the Paper "In James M Henslin's "Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach", many issues and concepts encapsulated within the domain of sociology are explored. Of these, two issues are particularly compelling in light of one another -- gender inequality and racial prejudice. Each of ..."
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 ..."
Abstract The paper discusses both Iranian and United States statistics in relation to each nation. The paper further discusses the social orders of each nation, as well as the forms of political power that exists within the countries. The paper uses sociological theory as a framework for this discussion, drawing conclusions from the research based upon these theoretical perspectives.
From the Paper "Iran was formerly known as Persia until 1935. By 1979 Iran was an Islamic republic with a theocratic system of government. Problems existing in the nation include its continued strained relations with the United States that began when Iranian terrorists held American hostages in the United States Embassy in Iran from 1979-1981. Also, until 1988, Iran was in a consistent war with neighboring Iraq, a war that intensified hostilities with the United States in the Persian Gulf from 1987-1988. Iran is considered a terrorist nation by the United States, and has been subjected to "US economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement" in terrorism ("Iran", 2004). Iran is located in the Middle East between Iraq and Pakistan, and is comprised of 68, 017, 860 people. For every 1,000 people in the nation there are approximately 17 new births, and 6 deaths."
Abstract This paper looks closely at two central questions regarding the sociology of historical modes of production. It looks firstly at antique, chiefdom and then slave modes of production, and there progression. Next, it it looks at the methods of the feudal system, how it functioned, and the methods which the landlords and the church used to oppress the peasants.
From the Paper "Chiefdom's began to become more dominant as environmental factors, such as an abundance of resources, food and materials can be obtained from a variety of natural resources (Landstreet "Chiefdom" 229). With this society based upon a redistribution of goods, people would work together in order to supply one another with basic needs. If there was one Chiefdom in an area, others would likely follow; as this process continued, chiefdoms became more and more dominantly linked in society and to one another that older, tribal or band societies began to decline (Landstreet "Chiefdom" 232). Labor, thus, was divided into ..."
Abstract This paper includes a reaction to the reading of three works regarding the sociology of cities. The basic thrust of the essay is that cities can still thrive if they stress values and cultural elements which give them a competitive advantage. Austin and Miami are examples used in the readings. An effort is made to tie the readings together and explain why these cities thrive.
From the Paper "In their introductory sociology text, Giddens, Duneier, and Appelbaum point to cities as important forces in socialization because it is in the city that life teems and tosses in a stew of human activity fueling creativity, conflict, diversity, progress, industrialization, and organization. It is in the city that humans come together for struggle or education and the ideas that come out of that clash often lead the progress in economic development, personal enlightenment, human rights, and other important social developments. Because of the proximity of other humans in the city, people are forced to come face to face with their prejudices and their own ideologies. That is the reason the city has a special place in the creative conflict that is human history. But do cities really matter anymore?"
An examination of the sociological perspective through the fictional depiction of an owner of a corporation exploiting the labor of illegal migrant workers.
Abstract The paper begins by giving a scenario in which the owner of a corporation exploits illegal migrant workers by forcing them to work on American holidays. The paper discusses how this exemplifies six social terms: social marginality, social mobility, culture, social stratification, discrimination, and exploitation. The paper then describes how forcing of the workers to work on American holidays primarily represents an example of exploitation. The author explains how the manager's actions represent dynamics of the three social paradigms that define the sociological perspective; structure-functionalism, Marxism, and symbolic interactionism.
From the Paper "Closely related to the concept of exploitation in the example are five other social problems of social marginality, social mobility, culture, social stratification, and discrimination that Macionis identifies. Within the example of Mr. Smith, we can see how each of Macionis' identified problems apply to provide an added perspective on the dynamics of society. Social marginality also contributes to the problem here, because it allows certain ethnic groups to be disregarded or forgotten as far as rights entitlement due to inferior status within society."
Tags:sociology, john macionis, marxism, structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism
Abstract This paper studies the impact culture has on the aging process and discusses the concepts of successful aging, productive aging and comfortable aging. The author looks, in particular, at the American culture and how it affects the process of aging and concludes that as the American culture attaches a great deal of significance on financial independence and individualism, these are the factors that will contribute to the behavior of elderly people and their mentality as they age.
From the Paper " It is worth mentioning that every culture has its own behavioral code for every age group, therefore, there are certain stereotypes or standards, which should be met. Analyzing the impact of American culture on the process of aging, disease management and pain control, we must first identify the main features of American mentality. Having West-Indian origins, American culture can be characterized by the fear of aging; probably, it would be better to say the fear of death. Therefore, the elderly attempt to decelerate the process of aging in every possible way, for instance anti-aging drugs or plastic surgery."
Tags:aging concepts, health and mental well-being, independence
Abstract This paper defines and clarifies the debate over different types of aging. Starting with the revolutionary work of Havighurst in the late 1960's and incorporating research from the present day, this paper defines the three central components of aging: physiological, psychological (cognitive), and social. Numerous examples of both successful and unsuccessful aging across all three components are described, and backed by empirical research. No clear "recipe" for successful aging can be given, but this paper is a thorough and modern overview of this facet of psychology as it stands today.
From the Paper "In the late 16th century the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon set out on a quest to discover the fountain of youth. Intruding into uncharted and hostile Indian Territory, de Leon was struck dead by an arrow to his heart, at the age of 47. Today millions of Americans and billions worldwide are experiencing the golden years that evaded De Leon. But does older age necessarily equate to 'golden years'? Since at least the 1960s gerontologists have been developing conceptual frameworks, called schema, to describe ideal outcomes of the aging process. One of the most commonly used terms to describe good old age is "successful aging", often attributed to R.J. Havighurst (1961). This concept lies at the core of the practice of gerontology; the Havighurst article appeared as the first conceptual piece in the first issue of the discipline's prime publication, The Gerontologist. Defining 'successful' aging has been an issue of debate ever since. However, a complete definition must include at least three components: physiological, psychological (or cognitive), and social. It also must be able to be clearly distinguished from the opposite end of the spectrum, namely, 'unsuccessful' aging."
Tags:age, alzheimer, cognitive, development, developmental, geriatric, geriatrics, gerontology, havinghurst, old
Discusses the inevitability of aging and some of the changes that come along with aging as well as optimistic and hopeful philosophy that should be applied to the aging process.
Abstract This paper presents a philosophy of aging that emphasizes hope and commitment. Positive outcome of aged people staying productive, busy and engaged in meaningful ways. Importance of helping older individuals live in dignity in the final stage of their lives.
From the Paper "Aging is inevitable and is accompanied by many challenges and opportunities. Most elderly people, even those fortunate enough to live in advanced countries where high quality medical care is readily available and easily affordable, experience some decline in their physical functionality. Most also experience a series of losses that can include the loss of a spouse or partner, of friends, of an occupation that has helped to define the individual and of a certain amount of autonomy.Even among the healthy and somewhat..."
A discussion and analysis of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) that was signed by Congress in 1967 as a method of addressing the arbitrary policies that many industries had in the country relating to older workers.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 9 sources, 2006, $ 71.95
Abstract This paper presents an overview of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), explaining that it specifically relates to workers of age 40 and older, as Congress believed that this was the age when there was the most evidence of age discrimination. The paper explains that the ADEA directly focuses on a number of issues that affect concerns of age discrimination. These issues include the hiring of employees, the promotion of employees, the salaries of employees and the ability of the company to discharge workers. The paper further explains that the Act discusses the publication of materials for workers that relates to their employment and how these publications may have a direct impact on the interpretation of the ADEA in courts.
