SOCI311 2018 November Full Course Latest

SOCI311 Political Sociology

Week 1 Forum

What is Political Sociology?

View Full Description

Choose ONE of the following questions:

In chapter 1 of the Dobratz, Waldner, and Buzzell text, the authors describe two useful metaphors for explaining power, politics, and society (car and parent).  What metaphors can you come up with to help describe how society operates?  What does your metaphor suggest about the way power is distributed in society?  Where do politics fit in your metaphor?

Compare the different conceptions and definitions of power. Do you believe power is necessary and important in politics? Why and how? Why not?

Using Weber’s three types of authority (i.e., charismatic, traditional, and rational-legal), think about your own life and the forms of authority you encounter on a day-to-day basis.  List all forms of authority you encounter and describe the appropriate type of authority under which each falls.

The Week 1 Discussion Question meets the following course objectives:

CO1: Explain selected theories of political sociology

CO3: Explain the sources of power and effects of organized interests

CO4: Describe processes of political action

Instructions for all Forums:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week.  This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.  Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.  To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week.  All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required.  Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly.  If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.

 

 

 

SOCI311 Political Sociology

Week 2 Forum

The State

View Full Description

Choose ONE of the following questions:

Think about your day-to-day experiences and think (in light of this week’s readings) about the various ways the state influences your everyday experiences and realities.  In what ways does the state influence your everyday experiences?  In what other ways does the state penetrate civil society?

Provide and discuss the main arguments of one of the conflict theories. Do you agree or disagree with the main tenets of this theory? Why or why not?

Define what is generally understood as “feminist theorizing” in political sociology. What is the relationship between feminism and Marxism? What is the main challenge for feminist theorizing? What is your opinion about these frameworks?

The Week 2 Discussion Question meets the following course objectives:

CO1: Explain selected theories of political sociology

CO3: Explain the sources of power and effects of organized interests

CO5: Describe the ways, in which state manifests itself

CO6: Interpret state policies

CO7: Demonstrate how gender and race matter in politics and society

Instructions for all Forums:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week.  This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.  Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.  To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week.  All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required.  Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly.  If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.n

 

 

 

SOCI311 Political Sociology

Week 3 Forum

Politics, Culture, and Social Processes

View Full Description

Choose ONE of the following questions:

Think about your own political values, beliefs, opinions, and attitudes.  Who or what are some of the main agents of socialization in your life that influenced how you think about politics?  What role did each of these agents of socialization play in shaping your current beliefs and opinions regarding politics?

Discuss what you believe is (are) the effect(s) of the media on politics in America. What are some of your favorite sources for political news and why do you prefer these particular media outlets?

The Week 3 Discussion Question meets the following course objectives:

CO2: Differentiate among the different components of civil society

CO3: Explain the sources of power and effects of organized interests

CO5: Describe the ways, in which state manifests itself

CO6: Interpret state policies

CO7: Demonstrate how gender and race matter in politics and society

Instructions for all Forums:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week.  This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.  Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.  To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week.  All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required.  Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly.  If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.

 

 

 

 

SOCI311 Political Sociology

Week 4 Forum

Political Economy, Social Institutions, and Social Relations

View Full Description

Choose ONE of the following questions:

 

Think of a problem you have experienced during your life—or are currently experiencing.  Consider the ways this problem connects with the politics and government.  Briefly discuss the problem and identify how it influenced who you are today.  Consider: (a) What is the problem? (b) How has this private trouble influenced your life?  Next, identify how your individual problem relates to a larger social problem.  Choose one of the six main theoretical frameworks (pluralist, elite, class, rational choice, postmodernism, or institutionalist) discussed throughout the book to help analyze this connection.

Think about your own experience with the various social institutions discussed in this chapter: education, family/marriage, health care, and race/ethnicity.  How have these various social institutions shaped the person you are today?

The Week 4 Discussion Question meets the following course objectives:

CO1: Explain selected theories of political sociology

CO3: Explain the sources of power and effects of organized interests

CO5: Describe the ways, in which state manifests itself

CO6: Interpret state policies

CO7: Demonstrate how gender and race matter in politics and society

Instructions for all Forums:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week.  This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.  Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.  To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week.  All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required.  Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly.  If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.

 

 

 

 

 

SOCI311 Political Sociology

Week 5 Forum

Political Participation, Elections, and Voting

View Full Description

Choose ONE of the following questions:

How does social capital help explain why you hold the political opinions, attitudes, and values?  How about for explaining your political participation record?

Refer to Dobratz et al. Textbox 7.1 on felon disenfranchisement. What are some of the arguments given for and against their right to vote? Do you think that convicted felons should have the right to vote?

What is the nature and functions of political parties in America? How do they fit within the American democracy? Do you think that the dominance of the two-party system is a disadvantage or an advantage? Why?

The Week 5 Discussion Question meets the following course objectives:

CO1: Explain selected theories of political sociology

CO2: Differentiate among the different components of civil society

CO3: Explain the sources of power and effects of organized interests

CO4: Describe processes of political action

CO5: Describe the ways, in which state manifests itself

CO6: Interpret state policies

CO7: Demonstrate how gender and race matter in politics and society

Instructions for all Forums:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week.  This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.  Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.  To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week.  All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required.  Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly.  If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.

 

 

SOCI311 Political Sociology

Week 6 Forum

Social Movements

View Full Description

Choose ONE of the following questions:

Examine your local community (or one that you are particularly knowledgeable of) and try to identify examples of current or recently passed collective action/social movements.  Do these efforts more closely relate to “old” or “new” social movements?

Discuss some of the explanations of how social movements emerge. Which one do you find the most convincing? Have you ever participated in/ been a part of a social movement? Why/ why not?

3. Discuss the main features of transnational social movements. Can a terrorist group such as ISIS or Al Qaida be considered a  

    form of a transnational social movement? Explain.

The Week 6 Discussion Question meets the following course objectives:

CO1: Explain selected theories of political sociology

CO2: Differentiate among the different components of civil society

CO3: Explain the sources of power and effects of organized interests

CO4: Describe processes of political action

Instructions for all Forums:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week.  This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.  Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.  To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week.  All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required.  Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly.  If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.

 

 

SOCI311 Political Sociology

Week 7 Forum

Violence and Terrorism

View Full Description

Choose ONE of the following questions:

Think about an example of a contemporary global conflict.  How would a political sociologist interested in violence and terrorism approach the study of the global conflict you have identified?   Consider important components of the Dobratz et al.’s chapter such as war making, genocide, and terrorism.

Read the Textbox 9.3: The Repercussions of Being Labeled a Terrorist in the Dobratz et al. text.  Using the case of former CIA operative Xo Chia Vue, discuss the current system for labeling and identifying terrorists.  Are you in favor of the current system or do you think that it should be changed and why?

What are some of the ways in which states have attempted to address and thwart terrorism? Have these efforts been successful? Do you think that terrorism will decrease or increase in the future and why?

The Week 7 Discussion Question meets the following course objectives:

CO2: Differentiate among the different components of civil society

CO3: Explain the sources of power and effects of organized interests

CO4: Describe processes of political action

CO8: Compare different conceptions of globalization

Instructions for all Forums:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week.  This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.  Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.  To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week.  All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required.  Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly.  If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.

 

 

 

SOCI311 Political Sociology

Week 8 Forum

Globalization

View Full Description

Choose ONE of the following questions:

Is a global culture truly emerging? Think about examples of how culture is becoming more homogenized in your community or in other parts of the U.S. Have there been any instances of backlash?

What is some of the evidence given for and against the occurrence of globalization in globalization debates? Which of the arguments do you find more convincing and why?

Define and discuss the “Counterhegemonic Globalization” using specific examples. What is your opinion about it?

The Week 8 Discussion Question meets the following course objectives:

CO1: Explain selected theories of political sociology

CO2: Differentiate among the different components of civil societ

CO3: Explain the sources of power and effects of organized interests

CO4: Describe processes of political action

CO8: Compare different conceptions of globalization

Instructions for all Forums:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week.  This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.  Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.  To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week.  All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required.  Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly.  If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.

 

 

SOCI311 Political Sociology

Week 3 Assignment 1

Political Power

Instructions:

Read two chapters 15 and 17 of the classic book on power “Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli. It can be found at:

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1232/1232-h/1232-h.htm

Machiavelli wrote the Prince (published in 1532) to advise princes about how to get, keep, and use political power. The book is still regarded as one of the most influential books on politics, especially on issues relating to political power.

 

In light of our class readings on power, write a 2-4 page essay comparing the textbook definitions of power (see especially week 1) with the notions expressed/ implicit in the excerpts from Machiavelli.  How can you relate these notions to prevailing norms in contemporary society and politics? Do you think that any of any of the advice offered by Machiavelli can apply to modern day politicians? Why? Why not? Please be sure to cite the sources in the APA citation format as you make comparisons between the different definitions.

Format:

APA-style formatting

Typed

1” margins

Double-spaced

Arial or Time New Roman, 12 pt font

Grading Rubric:

View the grading rubric so you understand how you will be assessed on this Assignment.  Click the grid icon at the top of this instruction page, or the grid icon under "View iRubric" on the main Assignments page.

Assignment 1 meets the following course objectives:

CO1: Explain selected theories of political sociology

CO3: Explain the sources of power and effects of organized interests

CO5: Describe the ways, in which state manifests itself

 

 

SOCI311 Political Sociology

Week 5 Assignment 2

Instructions:

1. Find an internet site for an interest/advocacy group (some examples include Tea Party, MoveOn.org, NRA, Nature Conservancy, PETA, etc).

2. Turn in a 2-3 page report containing the name, type, and issues of the group. Describe some of the strategies that the group uses and how the interest group utilizes the website to employ the strategies. Explain whom the interest group targets and the impact of the group on public policy in light of and using concepts from our readings as appropriate. Do you personally subscribe to this group’s ideas/ ideology? What do you think is the appeal of these issues to contemporary society at large?

Please site the sources you are using in the APA format (interest group's website, class textbooks, etc.).

Format:

APA-style formatting

Typed

1” margins

Double-spaced

Arial or Time New Roman, 12 pt font

Grading Rubric:

View the grading rubric so you understand how you will be assessed on this Assignment.  Click the grid icon at the top of this instruction page, or the grid icon under "View iRubric" on the main Assignments page.

Assignment 2 meets the following course objectives:

CO1: Explain selected theories of political sociology

CO2: Differentiate among the different components of civil society

CO3: Explain the sources of power and effects of organized interests

CO4: Describe processes of political action

 

 

SOCI311 Political Sociology

Week 7 Assignment 3

Assignment 3:

Journal Article

Instructions:

Pick and read an article related to any topic studied in this course published in an academic journal (use JSTOR electronic database available via APUS Library*). It can be on any topic related to political sociology and that is of interest to you, for example, class struggle, Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, democracy in America, globalization, etc.). Please pick an article published in the past 10 years and be sure to use a sociological academic journal. The initial search will likely result in many items, so be sure to narrow it down to a specific aspect of theory that is of interest to you. The journal article should be at least 20 pages.

Write a 3-5 page report on the article. In your paper, do your best to ANSWER ALL of the following questions:

1.  What is the main topic of the article?

2. What do the author or authors argue?

3.  What type of evidence do they present?

4.  What are the author’s conclusions?

5. Which arguments do you find the strongest/ weakest?  

6. Which topics that we covered in class in the first weeks does this article best relate to?

7. Why did you pick this particular article?

Please be sure to cite the article and the class textbook(s) and/ or other materials  in the APA citation format.

 *Once in JSTOR: Go to Advanced Search; Limit by Type (Article); Limit by Date (2005-2017); Limit by Subject (Sociology)

Format:

APA-style formatting

Typed

1” margins

Double-spaced

Arial or Time New Roman, 12 pt font

Grading Rubric:

View the grading rubric so you understand how you will be assessed on this Assignment.  Click the grid icon at the top of this instruction page, or the grid icon under "View iRubric" on the main Assignments page.

Assignment 3 meets the following course objectives:

CO1: Explain selected theories of political sociology

CO2: Differentiate among the different components of civil society

CO3: Explain the sources of power and effects of organized interests

CO4: Describe processes of political action

CO5: Describe the ways, in which state manifests itself

CO6: Interpret state policies

CO7: Demonstrate how gender and race matter in politics and society

CO8: Compare different conceptions of globalization