SOC CHP 1 SARS

Explain how The Old Elephant Story demonstrates the difference between sociology and other social sciences. Use some details from the story to help explain your answer.

• Attempts to see the broader/bigger picture rather than specific details. (the psychologist only focused on the head & the economist only focused on the mouth)

• A mixture of all the other social sciences in a single field of study

Explain why public sociology is considered a good middle ground or compromise position between basic and applied sociology.  Create an example that helps support your answer.

• It focuses on troubleshooting and making recommendations

• It’s the bridge between the theory and research-based basic sociology & change making applied sociology

A sociologist making recommendations to a TV company on how to better promote their show to their audiences

 How can The Last Samurai movie be explained from EACH of the 3 sociological “lenses”?

Symbolic Interaction: The symbol of the samurai sword and the rifle. The samuari sword symbolizes the old ways/ more traditional & the rifle symbolizes modernity & conforming to western civilization.

Functional Analysis: Society was dysfunctional during the concflict between Katsumoto fight against Omura. The samurai had to adjust to new laws concerning their traditional attire.

Conflict Theory: They were power struggles the wealthy (Omura) and Katusmoto (the poor). Samurai were being driven out of their lands due to Omura wanting railroads to be built which caused struggles between the 2 groups

Which sociology “lens” do YOU think BEST explains The Last Samurai movie story?  Use examples from the movie to help support your opinion.

I think that the symbolic interactions best explain the Last Samurai story because most of the movie importance comes from the symbols that characters hold important. For example, the symbol of a cherry blossom meaning perfection by Katsmoto symbolized a worthy life.