JANUARY29 T H / 31 S T , 2013

Sociology 103 Tutorial #2

TA contact info

My email – joshcurtis.utoronto@gmail.com

Office – Sociology building 725 Spadina (Room 333)

Office hours – Monday 9-10:45

Web site - http://joshcurtispolisoc.com/

Revised tutorial structure

No slides will be posted. Take notes as you feel necessary.

I expect you to come having read the material.

The structure will not be largely participatory.

Plan

1) Explain test structure

2) Open floor discussion. What concepts are you having trouble with?

3) Where do m/c questions come from?

4) Discuss the readings in sociology text (in groups / article explanation).

5) SP chapter breakdown with sample questions

Readings

Test #1Starting points: Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4Readings in Sociology 1, 2, and 15.

sections!!!

All multiple choice.

In exam center, during class time.

Open discussion

Comments about the readings.

Likes, dislikes, interesting points? Everyone contribute a comment/concern.

Exam Breakdown

15 Reading Sociology (14 chapters)

19 questions from Lectures (4 lectures)

66 Starting Points (4 chapters)

Total 100.

5 minute group discussion

Where do you think they multiple choice questions are likely to come from?

Starting points?RinS?Lecture?

Where do questions come from?

Typically:1) Related to the purpose/debate of the article (1st para)2) The main finding/ findings of the paper (introduced,

then repeated at the end)3) The implication this finding has for society more

generally. (last para).

Think about this as an inverted triangle.

Use these three criteria to see through the ‘fluff’ – most of what you’re reading is not necessarily important for the main argument… it is simply ‘context’

How to tackle RinS

Understand the overall goals, purpose, and findings in the article. What problem is the author trying to solve and what does she/he show?

Answer the following questions:1) What is the purpose of the article (i.e., academically,

why did the author write this paper – is it tied into a debate?). (Puzzle/contribution).

2) Identify the main argument of the chapter (thesis).3) Identify and define all key terms and key figures.

How do they relate to the main arguments in the text?

Group discussion / Class discussion

Chapter 5: "Francophone and Anglophone Sociologists in Canada: Diverging, Converging, or Parallel Trends?”

Pay attention to the immediate tone of the paper. It’s sets the stage for the main arguments, and purpose of the article.

Purpose

“I’ve occasionally been puzzled by the indifference French- English – Canadian scholars seem to show towards one another”….

What can you infer from this statement?????

This tells you almost everything you need to know about what you will now read.

Purpose/goal

Purpose/argument: “In particular, I will discuss how the normal….” pg 19

There is a ‘paradox’… third paragraph sets up the dilemma.

The authors hypothesis (so, research question, theory, etc:“Self contradictory impetus to the expansion of science” (science, as in sociology)… “as scientific research progresses, it becomes more national and more international at the same time”

How does she provide evidence? Goal:“Exploring this hypothesis, I wish to systematically present a few trends that have affected the development of sociology in French Quebec and the rest of Canada… (19)

Her other point: “We will realize that neither the forces behind nationalization nor internationalization have worked to foster a dialogue between the two linguistically divided scholarly community”

My point…

The last two slides come from TWO paragraphs.

They set the stage for the purpose and goals of the article…

They even summarize the main findings.

This is 45 seconds of reading, and you’ve already been given a summary of the field, her arguments, and her conclusions.

Conclusions.

“Looking at the facts, some might say that Canadian sociology is being increasingly swallowed into international sociology, lost its identity in the process. That might be. But my main point is elsewhere…. French and English Canadian sociologists have never been so isolated from one another as they are now that their works are increasingly influenced by the same authods and same sources”

Discussion Questions

1) Thoughts on the article?2) Are you surprised that this is the case? Do you think that it can be prevented in the future?

Ch.7

Chapter 7: "What a girl wants, What a girl Needs”

Has anyone in this tutorial turned to ‘advice columns’? Why?

What are people turning to ‘self help’ advice? - Accessibility, low cost, along with their privacy. These factors suggest that they will remain a popular source for advice in the future.

Why has this happened? Key social structures when people once easily obtained information have changed. Norms and values might be less rigid (less clear advice??).

The puzzle?: Relationship have become profoundly altered during the ‘late modern era’. Gender and relationship norms have changed. More than ever, couples are now mixed (ethnic, socio economic). These changes have “made love and loving ‘chaotic’, as couples try to build successful relationships in a culture where multiple scripts co-exist”.

findings

Easily summarized (take a shot on your own).

1) Openness and joy2) Be your own prince3) Cheetah boys and creatures unlike any

other

Thoughts?

Do you agree: “These changes have “made love and loving ‘chaotic’, as couples try to build successful relationships in a culture where multiple scripts co-exist”

Tony example.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: "Maintain control? Masculinity and Internet Pornography”

Identify the purpose and evidence.

The puzzle (sets the stage)

This sets the stage as you read. What is he arguing?“The relation of porn to contemporary masculinities remains relatively obscure. With few exceptions, the connection between the social construction of masculinity and the consumption of porn has been more often presumed than examined”

That’s his goal; his research agenda. This statement has set the stage for the purpose of the paper.

…. “surprisingly, little work attempts to understand how pornographic representations are involved with the production of hegemonic masculinities”

Research goals (purpose)

“This paper aims to contribute to a more sustained analysis of “techno-porn”.. (blah blah…)… what is the relationship between masculinity, technology, and pornography….

I offer two critical comments: (page 29, para. 2-3)

It’s a critique of Robert Jensen, while offering some novel findings and conclusions.

Key point

“At this time, porn lost its politically subversive qualities and became merely a means of displaying women’s bodies for the purpose of men’s sexual arousal”

A shift from cultural, political, or other significant foundations to what it is today.

Starting point of a harsh critique of gender norms, masculinity, etc.

What do you think about this article?

Do you agree that pornography is inherently, exploitative, controlling, and demeaning?

Does it create unrealistic expectations for men and women?

This article was about men only. What about women? Is there a comparable case?

Starting Points: Ch 1

DefinitionsSociology – systematic study of h. beh. or society.Macrosociology – study of institutions or lg. groupsMicrosociology – patterns of personal interactionSociological imagination –an approach that situates the

personal experiences of individuals within the societal context in which they occur.

Role – an expected pattern of interaction with othersStatus – socially defined position that outlines rights and responsibilities. Social Structure – an enduring pattern of social relations among

people. All social structures control people to act in a certain way in a social situation.

Important Terms: Ch 2.

Demography- the study of human populations (growth, decline).

Population composition – the make up of different social types in a society.

Population pyramid – a graphical depiction of the population composition.

Cohort – People with a common origin (sex, age)Human capital – a skill set that enhances workers value.Megacity – large city, exceeding 5 millionBedroom city – a tangential city (housing near a larger

one)

Population Pyramid

Cohort example

Common Theories in this Chapter

Functionalism Society as a set of interconnected elements that operate together in

equilibrium Social institutions – families, economy, government, etc.– all make

contributions to the functioning of society as a whole. Institutions perform both manifest and latent functions. Social problem occur when institutions are unable to perform their

functions.

Conflict Theory Divisions between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ Disagree with the assumption of consensus in values among all members of

society. It’s about unequal distribution of power and resources. Views society as a collection of disparate groups struggling over a limited

supply of resources and power.

Chapter 2 continued

Thomas Malthus – the earth would eventually become ‘overpopulated’.

The idea of: ‘positive checks’ (death, war, famine) and ‘preventative checks’ (limiting #’s of births).

Functionalist approach– ‘preventative checks’ reflect the maintenance of equilibrium; the dangers associated with losing equilibrium are positive checks.

Critical approach – deny that social equilibrium is attainable. The upper classes take action that benefit themselves. The problems poor countries face are a result of unequal distribution of wealth.

Questions

Week 1 homework question

The beginning of this chapter is about a rising global population, scarce resources, and inequality. You are presented with two perspectives: one functionalist argument, and the other a more ‘critical’ or ‘conflict’ approach. Which do you believe is most relevant and why?

Discussion Questions

1) What is the difference between ‘Microsociology’ and ‘Macrosociology’? In groups, pick one general topic and discuss how a researcher might approach it from 1) a micro-level; and 2) a macro level.

2) The major theoretical perspectives are divisive in many ways. What are the central tenets of each? Explain specifically how they are distinct - and in opposition to – to one another.