Core Studies 3, Section JK
Fall
1998
Prof. P. Currah
Topics (Choose only one)
1. Which theory of racial discrimination studied in this course best explains the
continued existence of racism? Why?
2. Are heterosexuals a status group, according to Weber's definition of the term?
Why or why not?
3. How does the unit of analysis that a social theorist chooses to employ in
examining social phenomena affect his or her conclusions? Use specific examples.
4. Can a class-based analysis adequately account for structures of racism and
sexism? Why or why not?
5. How have voluntary associations changed since Alexis de Tocqueville's time? What
effects have these changes had on the workings of participatory democracy in the U.S?
6. Choose a conspiracy theory for the subject of your essay. Examine this "theory" in the terms of the structural analysis discussed in this class. What accounts for the particular theory's popularity? How would a structural analysis account for the same phenomenon? Why do the "general public" often reject structural explanations of social phenomena? What conclusion can you come to about the importance of the ideology of agency in social consciousness?
7. What definition or theory of power discussed in this class best accounts for the social phenomenon of on group "hating" another group (on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, alienage, sexual orientation, or social class, etc.)? Be sure to refer to particular theories of power in your analysis.
Length
Papers should be ten pages in length, typed and double-spaced.
Important Dates
Instead of handing hard copies in to me in class, you can submit them electronically to me at pcurrah@brooklyn.cuny.edu
To be announced.
Style
All references must be cited, following the style guidelines. You may use the either
the MLA, APA, or Chicago style systems for this class. For a list of citation style guides
online, see my writing guide at http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/polisci/pcurrah/writing.htm#sources.
Also, you will find links to style guides and a lot of other helpful information about
writing on my Writing Tips page:
P. Currah's Writing
Guide
Brooklyn College Policy on Academic Integrity