Jammie Price Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

If you can answer the questions below, you will likely do well on the exam.  You can use as little or as much room on a sheet of paper  to answer them.   (I apologize for any typos or formatting problems.)

 1.      Describe an example of:

 2.      How has religion been used to explain suicide and capitalism?

 3.      How would a sociologist’s explanation of alcoholism differ from a psychologist and biologist’s explanation?

 4.      Using functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interaction perspectives, explain:

 §         Why divorce rates are increasing

§         Poverty

§         Violence in schools

§         Environmental racism

§         Or some other phenomenon that you would like to address

 5.      Drawing on the video clips shown in class, describe how race shapes culture, and how culture shapes race.

 6.      Identify a problem in your neighborhood that your neighbor’s disagree on.  How could you use sociology to help solve or improve the situation?

 7.      What sociological point did the video clip on eye color (shown in class) demonstrate? 

 8.      What sociological point did the video clip on Philadelphia (shown in class) demonstrate? 

 9.      From your own life, give an example of an in-group and an out-group.

 10.  How does applied sociology differ from basic sociology? Be sure to use an example to illustrate your points.

 11.  What are three examples of how UNCW students used sociology to address local social problems?

 12.   How does socialization occur?

 13.  Describe both sides of the nature vs. nurture debate. Be sure to use an example to illustrate your points.

 14.  Using the music industry today, describe examples of culture and sub-culture(s).  

 15.   What social characteristics influence how two strangers approaching each other on a sidewalk act?

 16.  How has your definition of the situation influenced how you acted:

 a.      While at a wedding reception and at a funeral?

b.      While you are with your parents vs. with your friends?

 17.  How might presentation of self influence the interaction between a car salesperson and an automobile shopper?

 18.  Describe the manifest functions, latent functions, and dysfunctions of a social institution of your choice.

 19.  Provide an example of an ethnocentric perspective on an issue, and a culturally relative perspective on the same issue.  For example, on eating dog meat.

 20.  What ascribed, achieved and master status (if applicable) do you hold?

 21.  What are the three components of social resources? Give an example of each.