Topical Discussion Outline for SCOSCI 113

TOPICAL DISCUSSION OUTLINES for SOCSCI113


Topic: THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES IN SOCIOLOGY

I. What is a theory?
What is a theoretical paradigm?

Levels of analysis:
a. Macro-level analysis
b. Micro-level analysis

II. Three (3) Major Theories
a. Symbolic-Interactionism
b. Structural-Functionalism
c. Conflict Theory


Topic: SOCIO-CULTURAL EVOLUTION OF SOCIETIES

I. What is a society?
What does it mean by socio-cultural evolution?

II. Types of Societies
a. Hunting and Gathering Society
b. Horticultural Society
c. Pastoral Society
d. Agrarian Society
e. Industrial Society
f. Post-Industrial Society

III. Range and Limits of Technology



Topic: GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS

I. What is a social group?
What is a category?
What is a crowd?
What is an aggregate?

How are the above-named collections of people different from each other?
What are the characteristics of a social group?

II. Types of Social Groups
a. Groups according to social ties
b. Groups according to self-identification
c. Groups according to purpose
d. Groups according to geographical location and degree or quality of relationship
e. Groups according to form of organization

III. Group Size
a. Dyad
b. Triad
c. Social Network

IV. Group Leadership
a. 2 Kinds of Leadership
b. 3 Leadership Styles

V. Formal Organizations
a. Types of Formal Organizations



Topic: SOCIALIZATION

I. What is socialization?
What is personality?

II. Nature vs. Nurture
a. Charles Darwin: The Role of Nature
b. Social Sciences: The Role of Nurture

III. Understanding Socialization
a. The Elements of Personality: Sigmund Freud
b. Cognitive Development: Jean Piaget
c. Moral Development: Lawrence Kohlberg
d. Bringing in Gender: Carol Gilligan
e. The Social Self: George Herbert Mead
f. Eight Stages of Development: Erick Erikson

IV. Agents of Socialization
a. Family
b. School
c. Peer Groups
d. Mass Media
e. Religious Organizations
f. Workplace

V. Socialization and the Life Course



Topic: CULTURE

I. What is culture?
What does it mean by enculturation?

II. Components of Culture
a. Symbols
b. Values
c. Beliefs
d. Norms (Mores, Folkways, Laws)

III. Characteristics of Culture
a. Learned
b. Shared
c. Symbolic
d. All-encompassing
e. Stable yet Dynamic
f. Integrated
g. Transmitted
h. Adaptive and Maladaptive
i. Patterned
j. Compulsory
k. Essential for Life
l. A Social Product
m. Accumulated

IV. Levels of Culture
a. National Culture
b. International Culture
c. Subculture

V. Issues in understanding Culture
a. Ethnocentrism
b. Xenocentrism
c. Cultural Relativism
d. Cultural Rights vs. Human Rights

VI. Mechanisms of Cultural Change
a. Diffusion
b. Acculturation
c. Independent Invention
d. Globalization
e. Globalization
f. Discovery

VII. Other Principles that Characterize Culture
a. Cultural Universals
b. Particular Culture
c. General Cultures


Topic: Basic Social Institutions
a. Religion and Society
b. Government and Law
c. Economy
d. Education
e. Marriage and Family



Topic: Family Planning and Responsible Parenthood
a. Reproductive Health
b. Family Planning
c. Responsible Parenthood