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Welcome to Unit 4 SS144
Dr. Susan Fournier
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4. Unit 4 Assignment: Interview about Social Roles
Conduct an interview with either a friend or family member about the various roles they play in society.
You may do this interview in person, over the phone, or through .

5. Questions for Interview
Explain what a social role is to your interview subject… then ask:
How many different roles do you play during a typical day?

6. Questions for Interview
What are some of your different roles?
mother,
sister,
brother,
boss,
employee,
etc.

7. Questions for Interview
Which of these roles do you find to be the easiest to play? Why? (ask for examples)
Which are most challenging? Why?

8. Questions for Interview
How do your social roles conflict with one another?
Example:
Juggling work, family, school.
How do you balance the different demands of your social roles?

9. Take Notes As you interview this person, take notes on what was said.
After you have completed the interview, please write a paper addressing the following:

10. Your Write-Up - Part 1 Describe briefly the person you interviewed
Why you chose that particular person.
Use at least two concepts from Chapter 4 that relate to your interviewee’s experience with social roles.
Why did you choose those two concepts?
Give examples from the interview.

11. Your Write-Up – Part 2
In your own life, which social roles in your life would you like to perform less often?
Which ones would you like to do more often?
Explain with examples.

12. Your Write-Up – Technical stuff
500 to 700-words
include word count on the title page
APA-formatted essay
Citations/references for concepts from text.
Make specific reference to your textbook
Include a properly formatted reference page.

13. And now…
Let’s Discuss…

14. SOCIAL PROBLEMS

15. What’s the difference between a personal concern and a social problem?
Question
What’s the difference between a personal concern and a social problem?
Examples?

16. Thinking Like A Sociologist
When we think about personal issues in relationship to society, we are using a basic tool of sociology
The sociological imagination

17. What’s the difference between a social condition and a social problem?
Question
What’s the difference between a social condition and a social problem?

18. Definitions
Social condition – an existing set of circumstances that affects some members of society

19. Definitions Social problem – when society’s members agree
that an issue affecting some of the population
is a problem for the entire society,
beyond those who are directly affected

20. Definitions
Social condition – an existing set of circumstances that affects some members of society
Social problem – when society’s members agree
that an issue affecting some of the population
is a problem for the entire society,
beyond those who are directly affected
(Kornblum & Julian, 2008). 

21. Social Problem
Once a social condition is reconsidered as a social problem…
…it becomes a matter requiring resolution
Social problems need solutions
Require action be taken

22. Social Problem
Examples?

23. Social Problem
Examples?

24. Social Problem
Examples?

25. Examples? Social Condition: Social Problem:
Social networking, cell phone, and texting technology becomes popular among young people
Social Problem:
Kids using cell phones in school
Texting while driving
Cyber bullying

26. Angles on Social Problems
Social problems can be viewed using different tools of sociology…

27. Angles on Social Problems
Different camera lenses for highlighting different aspects of problems

28. Angles on Social Problems
Different camera lenses for highlighting different aspects of problems
Not right or wrong -- objectively
Different levels of usefulness depending on the problem

29. Angles on Social Problems
Social problems can be viewed using different tools of sociology…
Different camera lenses for highlighting different aspects of problems
Not right or wrong
Different levels of usefulness depending on the problem

30. Viewing Social Problems 3 Sociological Perspectives
Conflict Perspective
Functionalist Perspective
Interactionist Perspective

31. Viewing Social Problems 3 Sociological Perspectives
Conflict Perspective
Functionalist Perspective
Interactionist Perspective
What’s the basic focus for each of these?

32. Viewing Social Problems 3 Sociological Perspectives
Conflict Perspective
Functionalist Perspective
Interactionist Perspective
Let’s focus on FORECLOSURES.

33. Viewing Social Problems Example: Foreclosure
Conflict Perspective
What would this perspective focus on?
What questions might it raise?

34. Conflict Focus Example: Foreclosures
Power Struggle
Inequality
Have and have-nots
Macro Level (wide-angle view)
Examples of questions a Conflict theorist might ask about foreclosures?

35. Conflict Focus Example: Foreclosures
Power Struggle
Inequality
Have and have-nots
Macro Level (wide-angle view)
Example: Who benefitted from the foreclosure crisis and who were the victims?

36. Viewing Social Problems Example: Foreclosure
Functionalist Perspective
What would this perspective focus on?
What questions might it raise?

37. Functionalist Focus Example: Foreclosures
Stability & Order
Interrelated Parts
Social Structures
Functions (manifest/latent consequences)
Macro level (wide angle view)
What questions might a Functionalist ask about foreclosures?

38. Functionalist Focus Example: Foreclosures
Stability & Order
Interrelated Parts
Social Structures
Functions (manifest/latent consequences)
Macro level (wide angle view)
Example: What are the unintended consequences of foreclosures for children?

39. Viewing Social Problems Example: Foreclosure
Interactionist Perspective
What would this perspective focus on?
What questions might it raise?

40. Interactionist Focus Example Foreclosures
Individuals
Interactions
Shared Meaning
Symbols
Micro Level (zoom view)
Examples of questions Interactionists might ask?

41. Interactionist Focus Example Foreclosures
Individuals
Interactions
Shared Meaning
Symbols
Micro Level (zoom view)
What sorts of daily struggles do families who lost their homes face in today’s economy?

42. Theoretical Perspectives View of Social Problems
Conflict
Functionalist
Interactionist
Society is characterized by social inequality; social life is a struggle for scarce resources.
Composed of interrelated parts that work together to maintain stability.
Behavior is learned in interaction with other people.

43. What’s the most important social problem affecting YOUR daily life?
Question
What’s the most important social problem affecting YOUR daily life?

44. Question
How is this SOCIAL problem different from a personal problem that you face?

45. DISCUSS
Which sociological perspective is most useful for YOUR social problem?
Conflict?
Functionalist?
Interactionist?

46. Other social problems? Which perspective is most useful?
Let’s Brainstorm
Other social problems?
Which perspective is most useful?

47. Brainstorming Topics
Please type 1 or 2 social problems that you find interesting or important:
Examples:
Unemployment Stigma
Race relations
Smoking
Advertising Branding
Credit Availability
Fuel Efficiency
Reality television
Teen pregnancy

48. End of Seminar Our next Unit will focus on social networks
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me
Have a good week!