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1.1 What Is Sociology?

1.

What do you think C. Wright Mills meant when he said that to be a sociologist, one had to develop a sociological imagination?

2.

Describe a situation in which a choice you made was influenced by societal pressures.

1.2 The History of Sociology

3.

What do you make of Karl Marx’s contributions to sociology? What perceptions of Marx have you been exposed to in your society, and how do those perceptions influence your views?

4.

Do you tend to place more value on qualitative or quantitative research? Why? Does it matter what topic you are studying?

1.3 Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

5.

Which theory do you think better explains how societies operate—structural functionalism or conflict theory? Why?

6.

Do you think the way people behave in social interactions is more like the behavior of animals or more like actors playing a role in a theatrical production? Why?

1.4 Why Study Sociology?

7.

How do you think taking a sociology course might affect your social interactions?

8.

What sort of career are you interested in? How could studying sociology help you in this career?

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© Jan 18, 2024 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.