Feel free to chat – I’ll be with you shortly! Welcome to Unit 4 SS144 Dr. Susan Fournier sfournier@kaplan.edu Feel free to chat – I’ll be with you shortly!

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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 e-mail.

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?

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

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?

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?

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:

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.

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.

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.

And now… Let’s Discuss…

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

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?

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

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?

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

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  

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). 

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

Social Problem Examples?

Social Problem Examples?

Social Problem Examples?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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?

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

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?

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?

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

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

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?

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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!