Introduction to Sociology

1. From the class material on Deviance: What three types of deviance are most common?

2. How do sociologists know what deviant behaviors are most common? Isn't that just opinion?

3. Apply a theoretical approach to your answer for number one and explain.

4. On concepts, variables, and measurement- (page 15), l do you think everyone who was deviant fit the concepts used and operationalized them the same way as to insure accuracy in the data? Take for example data send by the police to the FBI on robbery, assault, and murder.

5. On question 7, if your answer is scientific and factual why do we have such problems with prejudice?

6. Explain how the film "Journey of Mantis related to prejudice and discrimination.

7. According to the data of scientist Spencer Wells, why are skin colors different? Use the data from the research and explain these phenomena.

8. How does Spencer Wells conclude that all humans alive today have descended from a single man? And what conclusions can you draw from his data?

9. What is difference between prejudice and discrimination? Explain and give an example.

10. What is the difference between the caste system and the class system?

11. In our class system, we go to college, and strive for the "American Dream," what are the odds you will drastically change your social class in the future? Explain the reasons behind your conclusion.

12. Is "race" a scientific term? Explain.

13. Explain how functional theory views stratification.

14. Explain how conflict theory views stratification.

15. According to the film "Journey of Man" and the scientific data of scientist Spencer Wells, what specifically causes skin to be different shades?

16. How many human generations span 50,000 years? In other words, how many sets of great-grandparents occur in 50,000 years?

17. How did Wells trace the evidence of modern humans traveling from Africa to populate the earth? Hint- the name of the famous marker M168.

18. Each Group of humans has an "origin myth" that they strongly believe in, and have been taught from childhood; describe two of those "origin myths."

19. How will the data from the chapters on stratification and race/ethnicity impact your decision making as a future manager of people in the work place? Isn't everyone equal?