SOC 3328 Exam 1 Study Guide

What is the sociological imagination? Provide examples that show relevance.

The sociological imagination is the ability to look beyond the individuals as the cause for success and failures, and to see once society influence the outcome.

Ex. What the causes are to divorce, poor communication, money problems, love and acceptance

What is the Thomas Theorem? Why is it important?

The Thomas theorem focuses on “if men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences” . it is important because it talks about subjective interpretations and social beliefs on how they shape reality and outcomes, making aware the power of perception and social construction of reality

According to lecture, What is a woman? How do we identify who is a woman and who is not?

Describe the medical communities reaction to intersex babies? How does this support the assertion that sex (i.e. assignment as male or female) is socially constructed?

What does it mean to say “the personal is political?” In other words, what makes feminist theory different from many other theoretical paradigm?

Identify and explain the major ideas, goals, and criticisms of Liberal Feminism.

The major ideas are gender socialization changing to women’s oppression, current structure of society is conducive to change.

The goals are to end discrimination, change socialization to egalitarianism and the critiques of Liberal Feminism are the ignorance of the roles of race and

Identify and explain the major ideas, goals, and criticisms of Radical Feminism.

The major ideas are patriarchy leading to women’s oppression, sexual system of power which males posses superior power and economic privilege.

The goals are to radically challenge structure of political and economic systems, also to overthrow the system.

The criticism of Radical Feminism is to say that there needs to be change

Identify and explain the 3 basic ideas of Standpoint Theory.

The first standpoint theory is a knower’s social location that shapes what is to know.

Social location-The social place We inhabit in terms of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, (dis)ability, religion, etc.

Situated knowledge- our ways of perceiving, experiencing, and knowing based on that location.

The second standpoint theory idea suggest we are all members of more than one group. Diversity Wheel

The third standpoint theory idea reflects all perspectives are partial (metaphor of the beach ball)

Needs three volunteers/oppressed is equivalent to more complete knowledge

Ex people of color don’t have a vested interest in the status quo, but they do in changing things