Category: Sociology

Read articles and follow the instructions below
These response papers should be written in Times New Roman 12 size font. The assignment
must be single spaced and be no less than 1 page with 1-inch margins. One full page does not
include papers that have excessive spacing, double spaced name and class information, or any
sort of manipulation of spacing. When you do the assignment correctly, it is more than likely
your paper will be closer to 1.5 pages.
Each response paper should engage with all readings and include analysis. By analysis, I expect
you to make connections between the readings and point out broader themes. You may also bring
into your analysis current events that speak to themes in the readings and weekly topic. If you are
confused about what is considered an analysis, do ask questions.
At the end of the response paper, 4 discussion questions should be included. These questions can
be ones that you think would stimulate class discussion and/or a question you have pertaining to
the reading or topic. These papers are graded as 0, 1, or 2 points

Question Prompts for Documentary Film Analysis
(Based off of a worksheet developed by TeachWithMovies.com)
Please note that you do not have to respond to every question. Address the questions that make most sense to you. Remember to include analysis and not simply a summary.
Read the questions before you watch the film so that you will know what to look for while you watch. It is preferable to respond to the questions once the film is over so that you keep your attention on the film’s story.
Briefly describe what the film is about and the position that it advocates.
Describe the progression of the film: how it begins, what stages it passes through, and how it concludes.
List six facts described in the film that impressed you and explain how each fact relates to the film’s premise or theme.
In your own words, what techniques did the filmmakers use to convince you of the position that the film supports?
Describe the reasoning the film outlines in support of the position advocated by the film? Was it strong, weak, convincing, misleading? Describe the argument put forward in the film and why you thought the reasoning was either strong or weak.
Describe any cinematic moments presented in particular scenes, images, or sounds that you felt were the most compelling and convincing.
If the filmmakers asked how this film could be improved, what would you tell them? Describe the changes you would suggest in detail.
Did the film change your mind about any aspect of the subject that it presents? What information, argument or persuasive technique caused you to change your mind?
Please watch video https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/a-song-for-cesar-about-the-documentary/28373/

After reading “Disparities in Health and Health Care 5 Key Questions and Answers | KFF.pdf” Please answer the following:
In your own words tell me what you think “health disparity” or Health Inequality means.
Health disparities are driven by numerous social and economic Inequities. Please tell me which you think has the greatest impact on health (and health disparities) and why? Please back up your assertion with research or statistics.
Which races, even after the passage of the affordable care act, are most likely to be uninsured and/or locked out of health care?
How does COVID-19 and its variants impact races differently? Why are racial minorities more likely to get and die from COVID?
How has the current administration attempted to improve things?

After reading “Implicit Bias and Racial Disparities in Health Care.pdf” Please answer the following:
1. If “black” Americans had the same quality of insurance, made the same amount of money, and were exposed to pollutants about the same as “white” Americans would they live as long as each other? Why or why not?
2. Please list (in bullet format) the various ways that black receive lesser care by physicians than other races?
3. What is implicit bias and how does it play a role in healthcare (particular regarding physicians)?
After reading “U.S. Health Care from a Global Perspective” and “Reducing disparities in Health Care” please answer the following:
1. How is the U.S. life expectancy doing compared to other most industrialized nations? Why? What factors make this so?
2. Is throwing money at the problem of health care disparities the answer? Why or why not?

You should read the outside materials on Drugs prior to completing this discussion board (Why we should not decriminalize marijuana & FAQs from the National Drug Control Policy (White House Committee). You also need to watch the CNN documentary on Marijuana use. Now I want you to do your own research on why we SHOULD legalize it (even if you don’t agree with it).
1. What was the best source you found for legalizing marijuana?

2. What is the best argument for legalizing Marijuana?

3. What are some of the compelling reasons to legalize marijuana from the documentary?

4. What are some of the compelling reasons to making it illegal?

5. You will note that advocates for legalization point out that 40% of Americans have tried marijuana and opponents point out that only about 10% of Americans are currently using marijuana. How do you reconcile these two statistics and why is each side using them? Do most Americans favor legalization?

6. Which states currently have some type of reform about marijuana use and what are they (you could do this in chart format or bullet).

7. Finally, what was your opinion on the subject coming into the class and where do you stand on it now? Should there be reform and if so how? Would you increase medicinal use, place an age limit on it, totally ban it, etc.)? If you were Matt and Page Figgy and lived in a state where medicinal use was illegal would you have your child still use cannibas?

Question Prompts for Documentary Film Analysis
(Based off of a worksheet developed by TeachWithMovies.com)
Please note that you do not have to respond to every question. Address the questions that make most sense to you. Remember to include analysis and not simply a summary.
Read the questions before you watch the film so that you will know what to look for while you watch. It is preferable to respond to the questions once the film is over so that you keep your attention on the film’s story.
Briefly describe what the film is about and the position that it advocates.
Describe the progression of the film: how it begins, what stages it passes through, and how it concludes.
List six facts described in the film that impressed you and explain how each fact relates to the film’s premise or theme.
In your own words, what techniques did the filmmakers use to convince you of the position that the film supports?
Describe the reasoning the film outlines in support of the position advocated by the film? Was it strong, weak, convincing, misleading? Describe the argument put forward in the film and why you thought the reasoning was either strong or weak.
Describe any cinematic moments presented in particular scenes, images, or sounds that you felt were the most compelling and convincing.
If the filmmakers asked how this film could be improved, what would you tell them? Describe the changes you would suggest in detail.
Did the film change your mind about any aspect of the subject that it presents? What information, argument or persuasive technique caused you to change your mind?
Please watch video https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/a-song-for-cesar-about-the-documentary/28373/

After reading “Disparities in Health and Health Care 5 Key Questions and Answers | KFF.pdf” Please answer the following:
In your own words tell me what you think “health disparity” or Health Inequality means.
Health disparities are driven by numerous social and economic Inequities. Please tell me which you think has the greatest impact on health (and health disparities) and why? Please back up your assertion with research or statistics.
Which races, even after the passage of the affordable care act, are most likely to be uninsured and/or locked out of health care?
How does COVID-19 and its variants impact races differently? Why are racial minorities more likely to get and die from COVID?
How has the current administration attempted to improve things?

After reading “Implicit Bias and Racial Disparities in Health Care.pdf” Please answer the following:
1. If “black” Americans had the same quality of insurance, made the same amount of money, and were exposed to pollutants about the same as “white” Americans would they live as long as each other? Why or why not?
2. Please list (in bullet format) the various ways that black receive lesser care by physicians than other races?
3. What is implicit bias and how does it play a role in healthcare (particular regarding physicians)?
After reading “U.S. Health Care from a Global Perspective” and “Reducing disparities in Health Care” please answer the following:
1. How is the U.S. life expectancy doing compared to other most industrialized nations? Why? What factors make this so?
2. Is throwing money at the problem of health care disparities the answer? Why or why not?

You should read the outside materials on Drugs prior to completing this discussion board (Why we should not decriminalize marijuana & FAQs from the National Drug Control Policy (White House Committee). You also need to watch the CNN documentary on Marijuana use. Now I want you to do your own research on why we SHOULD legalize it (even if you don’t agree with it).
1. What was the best source you found for legalizing marijuana?

2. What is the best argument for legalizing Marijuana?

3. What are some of the compelling reasons to legalize marijuana from the documentary?

4. What are some of the compelling reasons to making it illegal?

5. You will note that advocates for legalization point out that 40% of Americans have tried marijuana and opponents point out that only about 10% of Americans are currently using marijuana. How do you reconcile these two statistics and why is each side using them? Do most Americans favor legalization?

6. Which states currently have some type of reform about marijuana use and what are they (you could do this in chart format or bullet).

7. Finally, what was your opinion on the subject coming into the class and where do you stand on it now? Should there be reform and if so how? Would you increase medicinal use, place an age limit on it, totally ban it, etc.)? If you were Matt and Page Figgy and lived in a state where medicinal use was illegal would you have your child still use cannibas?

Length: At least 6 pages. No more than 8.
Spacing: Double.
In-text Citations: At least five of the required sources (see below).
Citation Page: The citations should be written in APA style
Sources
Readings from class:
1) Eisenstadt, S.N. (2000). “The Civilizational Dimension in Sociological Analysis,” Thesis Eleven, 62: 1-21.
2) Therborn, G. (2021). “States, Nations, and Civilizations,” Fudan Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences 14, p. 225–242.
3) Snyder, J. (2022). “Power and Rights in the Modern State,” p. 22-48 in Human Rights for Pragmatists: Social Power in Modern Times. Newark: Princeton University Press.
Lectures:
– You will need to cite lectures( from lecture 1) where Dr. Nielsen discusses the World Values Survey and the Cultural Dimensions Test.
– You may additionally cite other lectures that you think are relevant (lecture 2 may have some relevant information)
Outside sources:
Find at least two outside sources that discuss the surveys or values that help to assess your results and compare the surveys. These can be journal articles, newspaper articles, or books. No video citations.
I will attach the link for the surveys so you can take a look at the questions being asked in the survey but you need to use my survey results in the essay. I will attach those as well.
World values survey– https://www.idrlabs.com/civilizational-values/test…
Global citizen survey– https://www.idrlabs.com/global-citizen/test.php
Overall Structure of Your Written Assignment
1) Introduction Paragraph = 5 points
2) Body = 80 points
A. World Values Survey description of test and results = 20 points
– Where do you fall in Traditional-Secular axis? Do you think it accurately places you?
– Where do you fall in Survival-Self-expression axis? Do you think it accurately places you?
– Do you have any cultural connections to the placement on the Inglehart-Welzel map that you are aware of?
B. Cultural Dimensions description of test and results = 40 points
– Do you have any cultural connection to the country it “matched” you with?
– Do you feel the results were mostly accurate?
C. Comparison of surveys and results = 20 points
– Did you feel that one survey was more accurate than the other?
– Did the country from the Cultural Dimensions Test fit with the cultural region in the World Values Survey?
–For example, for the WVS, Dr. Nielsen was placed in the “Northern Protestant Europe” cultural region and for the Cultural Dimensions Test, Dr. Nielsen was matched with Finland, which is in the same cultural region.
3) Conclusion = 5 points
4) Citations (in-text and citation page) = 10 points
Descriptions of Surveys
World Values Survey (Civilizations Test)
Traditional vs. Secular-Rational Values: Traditional values place great importance on religion, parent-child ties, deference to authority, and traditional family values. People with traditional values also tend to reject divorce and abortion, and often have high levels of national pride and a nationalistic outlook. By contrast, people with secular-rational values put less emphasis on religion, traditional family values, and authority. They have more relaxed attitudes toward divorce and abortion, are open to social change, and are generally less nationalistic.
Survival vs. Self-Expression Values: Survival values emphasize economic and physical security along with political stability in one’s community. Survival values are also tied to a relatively ethnocentric outlook, misgivings about homosexuality, and low levels of trust in others as well as low levels of tolerance for those who are different. By contrast, people with self-expression values emphasize individual and social liberties and have higher tolerance for foreigners, homosexuals, and other non-dominant groups. People with self-expression values also show greater support for gender equality, place a premium on environmental protection, and generally expect to be included in the political decision-making in their countries.
Cultural Dimensions Test
High vs. Low Power Distance: Refers to the beliefs regarding the proper distribution of power in a society. It expresses how much less powerful members of a community should accept that power is allocated unequally. How a society deals with social inequality is the main concern in this dimension. People in civilizations with high power distance accept hierarchical structures where everyone has a place, and no further reasoning is necessary to justify that hierarchy. In comparison, societies with low levels of power distance work to equalize power distribution and demand tangible reasons for power inequalities in the government of their countries.
Individualism vs. Collectivism: Indicates how the interests of the individual are weighed against the interest of the community. A loosely-knit social structure in which people are expected to look out for and check in primarily with themselves denotes a high level of individualism. By contrast, cultures with low levels of individualism are attuned toward the group and typically feature a closely-knit social structure in which people look to their relatives, countrymen, coworkers, and other members of their communities when determining what course of action they will take.
Masculinity vs. Femininity: Cultures high in masculinity tend to revolve around success, competition, and rewards. By contrast, cultures low in masculinity concentrate on values like nurture, modesty, and empathy. High-masculinity cultures often produce more assertive and decisive leaders, whereas low-masculinity cultures tend to produce more agreeable, inclusive, and compassionate leaders.
High vs. Low Uncertainty Avoidance: Measures how comfortable a culture is with ambiguity and uncertainty. High uncertainty avoidance cultures uphold strict moral and behavioral standards and tend to frown on unconventional behavior and ideas. They want the future taken care of and planned for according to what has been proven to work in the past. By contrast, low uncertainty avoidance cultures are more tolerant of unusual ways of doing things and are not as disapproving of ambiguity.
Long vs. Short-term Orientation: Measures whether a culture aims for long-term goals on the basis of how the world is projected to change or prefers to achieve short-term goals using how things have been up till now as a guide. Cultures with a long-term orientation are future-focused and promote thrift and investments that take a long time to come to fruition. In contrast, cultures with short-term orientation uphold long-standing traditions as a way of ensuring stability and tempering the speed of social change.
Indulgence vs. Restraint: Measures the degree to which cultures attempt to regulate their impulses toward gratification. Cultures high in indulgence encourage pleasure and enjoyment as innate human desires associated with taking pleasure in life and having fun, whereas cultures with a restraint orientation frown on the satisfaction of desires and attempt to control enjoyment through social rules and taboos.
Above are the instructions that the teacher has provided for us. Please follow them exactly, if you are confused by any of them please reach out and I will explain it. Attached are the 3 readings from class along with my survey results. After we match I will attach lectures 1 and 2. Also please no use of any AI and if you have any other questions please let me know!

How do race, class, and gender intersect to shape patterns of inequality in the United States, and what sociological theories best explain the persistence of systemic disparities in areas such as education, employment, and criminal justice?

Analysis Paper: Family in the Media – Leave it to Beaver

o Length requirement: Three full pages.

Preparation: Watch the video below: Leave it to Beaver – “The Black Eye”
o https://www.facebook.com/bigmaxsfilms/videos/leave-it-to-beaver-the-black-eye/1061884897292397/
Or
o https://tubitv.com/tv-shows/665373/s01-e03-the-black-eye

Paper Format:

A. (Paragraph 1) Introductory paragraph: In your opening paragraph, introduce the reader to your essay. Your introductory paragraph should contain a thesis statement that is succinct and provides a “roadmap” for your essay.

B. (Paragraph 2) Summarize the sitcom episode: Provide a brief summary of the sitcom episode. Describe the problem the Cleaver family is confronting, how the problem is resolved, and by whom.

Body of paper:

C. (Paragraph 3) Parent’s work responsibilities: Identify which parent works outside of the home and which parent oversees domestic/childcare responsibilities. Analyze this family structure in terms of the separate sphere’s ideology, the cult of domesticity, and/or another applicable sociological concept/perspective from your class book. (Utilize outside supporting material in the form of paraphrased material/direct quotations from your class book for a developed sociological exploration. Be sure and provide APA in-text citations.)

D. (Paragraphs 4) Gender roles: Examine how each parent adheres to or deviates from instrumental and expressive gender roles. Additionally, identify the parental figure who plays the role of leader and primary disciplinarian in each family. Provide examples from the sitcom episode. (Be sure and utilize outside supporting material in the form of paraphrased material/direct quotations from your class book for a developed sociological exploration. Provide APA in-text citations.)

E. (Paragraph 5) Theoretical Application: Provide a short analysis of the sitcom through either the structural functionalist, conflict, or feminist perspective. Refer to Chapter 2 of your class book. Fully capture this perspective in your analysis. (Utilize outside supporting material in the form of paraphrased material/direct quotations from your class book for a developed sociological exploration. Provide APA formatted in-text citations.)

F. (Paragraph 6) Conclusion: Provide a conclusion paragraph that succinctly summarizes your essay.

G. Reference Page: Provide the reference to your class book.

Important Guidelines: Format your paper according to APA guidelines. Include an APA Title-page, in-text citations, and a References page. *Note: An abstract is not needed for this assignment.

o For help with everything APA, see below!

For help with the Title page:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html

For help with in-text APA citations:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.html

For help with the Reference page:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_books.html