Copy_of_Exam__3_Review

Exam Overview

• Course: SOC 302: Intro to the Study of Society

• Term: Fall 2024

• Exam Format:

  • Tuesday's quiz: 15 multiple choice questions

  • Thursday's exam: 5 short answer and 25 multiple choice

Collaboration and Study Guide

• This guide encourages collaborative learning among students.

• Prompts provided for each topic to help guide discussion and examples.

• TAs are available for assistance if any content is confusing.

Disclaimer

• Note that this review will not cover everything that will be on the exam.

Key Readings and Films

• Gender:

  Key Readings on Gender

  • Henslin (Chapter 11): Explores foundational concepts of gender in sociology and the historical context of gender roles, emphasizing how they shape individual identities and social structures.

  • Ruane & Cerulo: "You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby": Discusses the progress women have made over time regarding rights and societal roles, while critiquing the persistent inequalities that still exist in various domains such as the workplace, politics, and media representation.

  • Sidel: "Mixed Messages": Examines societal expectations and stereotypes that women face, articulating how these mixed messages impact women's self-perception and societal positioning, particularly in terms of their professional lives.

  • Landry: "Black Women and a New Definition of Womanhood": Analyzes the intersection of race and gender, advocating for a redefinition of womanhood that includes the unique experiences and challenges faced by Black women in society. This piece highlights the importance of intersectionality in understanding social stratification.

  • Johnson: "Unraveling the Gender Knot": Focuses on the sources and persistence of gender inequality, discussing how societal structures perpetuate gender roles and biases. Johnson offers critiques of traditional gender norms and suggests pathways to create a more equitable society.

  • Film: "Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising’s Image of Women": Offers a critical perspective on how women are portrayed in media and advertising. The film illustrates how these portrayals contribute to harmful stereotypes and societal norms, challenging viewers to reflect on the impact of commodification of women's images and roles.

  • Ruane & Cerulo: "You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby"

  • Sidel: "Mixed Messages"

  • Landry: "Black Women and a New Definition of Womanhood"

  • Johnson: "Unraveling the Gender Knot"

  • Film: "Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising’s Image of Women"

Key Concepts in Gender

Differentiating Between Sex and Gender

• Sex refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define humans as female or male, including genitalia, chromosomes, and secondary sexual characteristics. These are typically assigned at birth.

• Gender, however, is a social construct that encompasses the roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.

• This distinction highlights the fluidity of gender roles and the impact of societal expectations on individuals.

Defining Intersectionality

• Intersectionality is a theoretical framework for understanding how various social identities (such as race, gender, class, and sexuality) intersect to create unique systems of oppression and privilege. Coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, this concept emphasizes that individuals experience discrimination in varying degrees based on their multiple identities, leading to distinct experiences.

Race and Gender Issues for Black Women

• In exploring how race and gender issues are intertwined for Black women, Landry points out that they face a unique set of challenges due to the convergence of racism and sexism.

• For instance, Black women often navigate societal stereotypes that depict them as either overly sexualized or as matriarchs, which can distort their identities and professional opportunities.

Factors Contributing to Gender Inequality in the Workplace

• According to Ruane & Cerulo, several factors contribute to gender inequality in the workplace:

  • Gendered division of labor: Certain professions are still heavily dominated by one gender, often reinforcing stereotypes about skill and capability.

  • Pay gaps: Women, on average, earn significantly less than men for equivalent work, perpetuated by myths about women’s lesser commitment to their careers.

  • Work-life balance challenges: Societal expectations often place the burden of family care on women, impacting their career advancement and opportunities.

Mixed Messages Received by Women

• Sidel discusses how women receive conflicting messages about their roles in society, often oscillating between being empowered individuals and being expected to conform to traditional femininity. This inconsistency can lead to confusion about personal identity and societal expectations, affecting self-esteem and ambition.

Analyzing "Killing Us Softly 4"

• In the film "Killing Us Softly 4", the main claims center around the representation of women in advertising. It critiques how advertisements often reinforce harmful stereotypes, objectify women's bodies, and perpetuate unrealistic ideals of beauty. The film challenges viewers to recognize the impact of these messages on women's self-image and societal roles.

Origins of Patriarchy

• Henslin outlines the origins of patriarchy as stemming from historical and cultural practices that have favored male dominance in social, political, and economic spheres. The establishment of property rights and lineage through male heirs solidified this power structure, creating systemic inequalities that persist today.

Myths Maintaining Patriarchy

• Johnson identifies several myths that support and maintain patriarchal structures:

  • Myth of a natural order in gender roles, suggesting inherent differences justify unequal treatment.

  • The myth of the "breadwinner versus homemaker" model, which neglects the contributions of women's unpaid labor.

  • Counterarguments focus on the social construction of these roles, emphasizing the need for shared responsibilities and recognition of women’s contributions.

Examples of Gender Inequality and Stratification

• Gender inequality is evident in various spheres such as:

  • The workplace, where women hold fewer leadership positions and face barriers to promotion.

  • Education, where gender biases can affect subjects chosen by students and career paths pursued.

  • Healthcare, where women often experience biases in treatment and research.

Waves of Feminism

• The textbook outlines the waves of feminism:

  • First Wave: Late 19th and early 20th centuries focusing on women's suffrage and legal rights.

  • Second Wave: 1960s-1980s addressing a broader range of issues such as sexuality, family, and workplace rights.

  • Third Wave: 1990s-present, emphasizing diversity and intersectionality, reflecting the varying experiences of women across different races, classes, and nationalities.

• Each wave builds on the progress of previous ones while addressing new challenges facing women.

• Define intersectionality.

• Explore how race and gender issues are intertwined for Black women (Landry).

• Identify factors that contribute to gender inequality in the workplace (Ruane & Cerulo).

• Discuss the mixed messages received by women (Sidel).

• Analyze the main claims of "Killing Us Softly 4".

• Discuss origins of patriarchy according to Henslin.

• Identify myths maintaining patriarchy and possible counters (Johnson).

• Examples of gender inequality and stratification in gender.

• Review the waves of feminism as described in the textbook.

Love, Marriage, Family, & Divorce

• Key Readings:

  Love, Marriage, Family, & Divorce

  Key Readings:

  1. Henslin (Chapter 16): This chapter provides an overview of the sociological theories applied to the study of families, including structural functionalism, which examines the roles families play in society, conflict theory that focuses on power dynamics within family structures, and symbolic interactionism which looks at how family meanings evolve over time.

  2. Sullivan & Coltrane: "Men’s Changing Contribution to Housework and Child Care": This article explores the evolution of men’s roles in domestic tasks, emphasizing how societal expectations are shifting. It reveals statistics showing more men are participating in housework and childcare than previous generations, highlighting the gradual breakdown of traditional gender roles in domestic settings.

  3. Coontz: "Where are the Good Old Days?": Coontz challenges the nostalgia surrounding past family structures by analyzing historical family dynamics and emphasizing that many traditional family values are rooted in a specific socio-economic context that is no longer relevant. She argues that contemporary families are adapting to new challenges in a globalized world, which often makes them more resilient.

  4. Gould & Lewis: "Families that Work": This reading delves into how the dual-income family structure has become more prominent, discussing its implications on work-life balance and domestic responsibilities. The authors highlight the challenges families face in managing work and home life, stressing the need for better policies to support working families, such as parental leave and flexible working hours.

  5. Skolnik: "Family in Transition": Skolnik examines how family structures have changed over the decades, focusing on the increase in single-parent families, blended families, and same-sex partnerships. The work looks at the societal implications of these changes and discusses the impact on children’s development, education, and socialization.

  Concepts in Love, Marriage, Family, & Divorce

  • Sociological Perspectives: Understanding families requires applying different sociological perspectives:

    • Structural Functionalism: This perspective analyzes the functions of various family structures, such as the nurturing role of mothers and the economic provision by fathers, and how these roles impact societal stability.

    • Conflict Theory/Feminist Theory: This viewpoint critiques male dominance in familial roles, revealing how traditional duties can perpetuate gender inequalities and lead to conflicts within families.

    • Symbolic Interactionism: This approach recognizes the importance of personal and social meanings attached to love, marriage, and parenting, noting how these meanings can change across cultures and over time.

  • Triangular Model of Love: This model, proposed by Robert Sternberg, outlines three components of love: intimacy, passion, and commitment. Each type of love can develop differently based on the relative balance of these components, which can evolve throughout a partnership.

  • Family Structures: Discussing endogamy (marriage within a specific group), exogamy (marriage outside a specific group), and homogamy (marriage to similar individuals) provides insight into social norms that shape partnerships.

  • Divorce Trends: Various factors influence divorce rates today, such as changing societal attitudes towards marriage and personal fulfillment. Factors that can reduce divorce risk include effective communication, shared financial management, and mutual respect between partners.

  This deeper exploration into the readings and concepts provides a richer understanding of the dynamics at play within love, marriage, family structures, and the evolving nature of these relationships.

  • Sullivan & Coltrane: "Men’s Changing Contribution to Housework and Child Care"

  • Coontz: "Where are the Good Old Days?"

  • Gould & Lewis: "Families that Work"

  • Skolnik: "Family in Transition"

Concepts in Love, Marriage, Family, & Divorce

• Apply the three sociological perspectives:

  • Structural Functionalism: Functions and dysfunctions of the family.

  • Conflict/Feminist Theory: Male domination and inequitable labor divisions.

  • Symbolic Interactionism: Changing meanings of love, marriage, parenting roles.

• Triangular Model of Love.

• Discuss endogamy, exogamy, and homogamy.

• Analyze changes in family structures over time.

• Trends in divorce rates and factors that reduce divorce risk (Henslin, 2024).

Body, Health, & Medicine

• Key Readings:

  Body, Health, & Medicine

  Key Readings:

  • Henslin (Chapter 19): This chapter provides insights into the sociological aspects of health, illness, and the healthcare system. Henslin discusses the definitions of health and illness within a societal context, emphasizing how different cultures perceive health risks and define normalcy. It also examines the role healthcare institutions play in shaping health policies and the impact of these policies on public health outcomes.

  • Evans: "A Brave New World?": This article explores the ethical implications of advancements in medical technology and the potential consequences of genetic modification on society. Evans raises questions about what it means to be healthy and how technological innovations could deepen existing social inequalities.

  • Karp: "Speaking of Sadness": Karp examines the social dimensions of mental health, particularly focusing on depression. He emphasizes how social isolation and stigma associated with mental illness can exacerbate feelings of sadness and the importance of community support as a vital component of treatment and recovery.

  • Berkman: "Health Divide": Berkman's work highlights the disparities in health outcomes across different socio-economic groups, exploring how factors such as income, education, and environment contribute to the health divide. The analysis includes statistics and case studies that illustrate the significant inequalities present in access to healthcare and life expectancy.

  • Articles from The Guardian and Vox on health and coronavirus: These articles provide analysis and commentary on the pandemic's effects on healthcare systems around the world, detailing how COVID-19 has exposed existing weaknesses in public health infrastructure, disparities in access to care, and varying governmental responses to health crises.

  • Film: "Sick Around the World": This documentary looks at health care systems in various countries, comparing their effectiveness and accessibility. It critiques the U.S. healthcare model in light of international alternatives, revealing how different philosophies about health impact public health outcomes and individual wellbeing.

  • Interview: "Free Medical School in India": This interview sheds light on the challenges and opportunities within India's healthcare education system. It discusses initiatives aimed at increasing access to medical education for underprivileged populations, emphasizing the broader implications for healthcare access and quality in economically disadvantaged regions.

  Key Concepts in Body, Health, & Medicine

  • Applications of the Three Sociological Perspectives:

    • Structural Functionalism: This perspective sheds light on the "sick role," illustrating how society responds to illness through defined expectations for individuals experiencing health issues. This role helps maintain social order by defining what is deemed an acceptable excuse for not participating in societal activities.

    • Conflict Theory: This viewpoint critiques healthcare as an industry shaped by power dynamics and inequalities. It examines how factors like economic status and race can impact the quality of care received, stressing that healthcare access often reflects broader societal inequalities.

    • Symbolic Interactionism: This approach focuses on cultural relativity in health and how meanings attached to health conditions evolve over time. It highlights how the medicalization of certain conditions can change societal perceptions of normality and deviance.

  • Factors Affecting Healthcare Affordability: In the U.S., healthcare affordability is influenced by a variety of systemic issues, including high insurance premiums, out-of-pocket costs, the monopolization of healthcare providers, and the lack of universal healthcare. Drawing comparisons with other countries can provide insights into alternative systems that promote equity in healthcare access.

  • Exploration of Depression: Karp’s evaluation of depression highlights the role culture plays in shaping individuals’ experiences of mental health, emphasizing that cultural expectations and familial support systems can significantly impact treatment efficacy and perceptions of mental illness.

  • The Health Divide: Berkman articulates the concept of the 'health divide,' stressing how socioeconomic status, geographic location, and education level contribute to differential health outcomes. This discrepancy underlines systemic injustices that require targeted interventions to address health inequities.

  • Impact of Genetic Modification: Evans warns of the potential for genetic modifications to exacerbate class divisions, as access to these technologies may only be available to certain privileged groups, posing ethical dilemmas about the future of healthcare equity.

  • COVID-19 Inequities: The articles from The Guardian and Vox illustrate how the coronavirus pandemic has amplified pre-existing inequalities, revealing the importance of robust public health infrastructure and the need for equitable responses to health emergencies.

  Films and Sociological Perspectives

  • Key Takeaways: Both "Sick Around the World" and other necessary films necessitate the application of sociological perspectives to deepen understanding of the impact of health system structures, the disparities in health outcomes, and the societal responses to illness. Analyzing these films through various lenses provides a comprehensive view of the dynamic interactions between health, society, and culture.

  • Evans: "A Brave New World?"

  • Karp: "Speaking of Sadness"

  • Berkman: "Health Divide"

  • Articles from The Guardian and Vox on health and coronavirus.

  • Film: "Sick Around the World"

  • Interview: "Free Medical School in India"

Key Concepts in Body, Health, & Medicine

• Applications of the three sociological perspectives:

  • Structural Functionalism: Understand the concept of the "sick role".

  • Conflict Theory: Analyze healthcare as an industry and global stratification.

  • Symbolic Interactionism: Cultural relativity in health and the medicalization of conditions.

• Factors affecting healthcare affordability in the U.S. vs. other countries.

• Examine depression's relationship with culture and Karp's arguments.

• Explore the "health divide" and factors contributing to health differences (Berkman).

• Analyze how genetic modification could exacerbate social stratification (Evans).

• Discuss how the coronavirus pandemic highlighted US healthcare inequities.

Films and Sociological Perspectives

Key Takeaways from Required Films

"Sick Around the World"

• Overview: This documentary presents an investigation into the healthcare systems of various countries, specifically contrasting them with the U.S. model. It showcases how different philosophies about healthcare—whether as a right or a privilege—affect public health outcomes.

• Comparative Analysis: The film highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the health care systems in countries like Canada, the UK, Germany, and Japan, demonstrating how they achieve better outcomes with lower costs compared to the U.S.

  • Canada: Offers universal healthcare covering all residents, funded through taxes, emphasizing accessibility without personal financial burden.

  • UK: The National Health Service (NHS) provides comprehensive care largely free at the point of use, emphasizing public funding and health equity.

  • Germany and Japan: Use a hybrid model where healthcare is funded through social health insurance that mandates participation from both employers and employees, ensuring wide access to care.

• Sociological Perspectives:

  • Structural Functionalism: The film can be analyzed through the lens of structural functionalism by considering how each system functions to maintain social order and health stability in their respective societies.

  • Conflict Theory: It reveals power dynamics, particularly in how the U.S. healthcare system prioritizes profit over patient care, exemplifying class disparities in health access.

  • Symbolic Interactionism: The personal stories presented reflect the cultural meanings associated with health and illness, illustrating how societal values influence perceptions of health care.

"Killing Us Softly"

• Overview: This film critically examines the portrayal of women in advertising, revealing how media representations shape societal perceptions and expectations of femininity and beauty.

• Key Claims: It argues that advertisements often reinforce stereotypes, objectify women’s bodies, and perpetuate unattainable standards of beauty that can lead to self-esteem issues and harmful societal norms.

  • Cultural Impact: The film discusses the commodification of women's images in media, emphasizing how this influences women's self-worth and societal roles, significantly affecting their mental health and body image.

• Sociological Perspectives:

  • Structural Functionalism: The film can be interpreted as showcasing how advertising functions to maintain societal norms and values around femininity, serving to perpetuate traditional gender roles.

  • Conflict Theory: It critiques the patriarchal underpinnings of advertising, revealing how these images benefit capitalist structures while marginalizing women's diverse realities.

  • Symbolic Interactionism: It explores how repeated exposure to certain images shapes individuals' identities and perceptions of gender roles, ultimately influencing behaviors and expectations in day-to-day interactions.

Application of Sociological Perspectives to the Films

Understanding these films through various sociological lenses provides a richer analysis of how societal structures influence health and gender representations. This multi-faceted approach allows students to critically assess the impact of media and healthcare systems on individual experiences and societal outcomes, fostering deeper discussions around social justice, equity, and the evolution of cultural norms. By examining "Sick Around the World" and "Killing Us Softly" through the frameworks of structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism, students can appreciate the complexity of the issues at hand and explore pathways for potential reform and advocacy.

• Application of sociological perspectives to the films.

Additional Resources

• Access more review slides on Canvas:

  • Family, Gender, and Workplace Discussion Slides.

  • Review sessions, including Javi's final review session on Wednesday, Dec 4th.

Questions and Contact

• For questions, email jeramirez@utexas.edu or contact TAs for assistance.

Closing

• Good luck on your exam! Stay confident and prepared!