Essays and Research Papers on Sociological Theories

A 5 page research paper that investigates Thomas S. Kuhn's groundbreaking theory in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962, University of Chicago Press), which ) radically altered the way that change in science is perceived. The traditional understanding states that science progresses by small increments of change. Kuhn posits that science does not follow this ...

A 10 page research paper that analyzes Seymour Lipset's book Continental Divide, which that while Canada and the US look practically identical, there are striking differences between the two countries. After analyzing and summarizing Lipset's major points, the writer offers a survey of three critical opinions to the book. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 5 page paper looks at deviant behaviour and considers two of the reasons given for this in terms of social actions and reactions such as criminal behaviour. The paper explains the theories and looks to use examples to add to the understanding of the models. The bibliography cites 3 sources.

This 5 page paper focuses on the value of labor according to Karl Marx and his writings contained in Capital. Various concepts are discussed from the work. No additional sources cited.

14 pages in length. C. Wright Mills is well remembered for his popular work The Sociological Imagination, in which he set forth his views on how social science should be pursued. In his book, Mills calls for a humanist sociology. By this he meant a sociology that connects the social, personal, and historical dimensions of our lives. The ...

This 6 page paper looks at the role of the state, particularly as it pertains to Southeast Asia. Marx and Weber's ideas are explored. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

6 pages in length. Bernard Williams, the Knightsbridge Professor of Philosophy at Cambridge University, believes that utilitarianism, while professing to protect the majority's quest for happiness, does nothing to promote individual rights. When assessing the Williams' concerns, it is important for the student to consider the fact that utilitarianism represents the belief that ...

A five page paper which gives an overview of the Chicago school theory of social disorganisation, and applies it to the cultural values and peer-group bonding demonstrated in Boyz N The Hood. Bibliography lists 3 sources

( 5 pp.) Sissela Bok has an amazing ability to help her reader see an issue in a different way . This discussion will use her methods of philosophical approach as found in her 1982 book Lying. Also used for examination will be a personal issue provided by the writer ,as well as historical ...

This 5 page report discusses and compares the 1976 Lina Wertmuller movie “Seven Beauties” with the 1975 book by Ernest Becker “Escape from Evil.” In both, the positive nature of deceit is always seen against the deadliness of honesty. For example, Becker’s own dark view of what it means to be human is contrasted and emphasized by Wertmuller’s ...

The homosexual in the workplace is found to be in a position where they are discriminated against as well as finding themselves in a state of fear. This 11 page paper argues that Georg Simmel's theory of dyad to triad interactions is applicable within the microcosm of the office culture, while Emile Durkheim's theory on the division of labor ...

5 pages in length. Karl Marx and Friedrich Nietzsche were considered great thinkers of their time. Assessing the two philosophers' conjecture on self-alienation, one finds that both men took issue with the manner by which society treated the average person, implying that social hierarchy could be to blame for myriad issues of the ...

10 pages in length. Murray Bookchin and Bill Devall reside at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to the fundamental nature of ecological issues; while Bookchin supports the essence of social ecology, Devall espouses the benefits of its opposing counterpart, deep ecology. The two men have agreed to meet on this spring ...

This 5 page paper looks at systems theory and definitions of culture. Talcott Parsons's explanation of systems is provided. The concepts are compared and contrasted. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

Castells’ “Network Society” – How Close is too Close?: This 10-page analytical essay examines Manuel Castells’ theories about what he dubs the “Network Society.” His premise is that due to recent technological advances (particularly those relevant to the Internet), we have entered the new age of “Informationalism.” On the fast track of Internet ...

This 5 page paper focuses on a series of reporting by Donald Bartlett and James Steele that culminated in a PBS special, which aired in the early 1990s. The reporters' ideas are compared with those of Karl Marx. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page paper provides an overview of some of Marx's ideas, and looks at one contradiction using his works. The idea that art reflects society is examined in terms of Marxist interpretations. Marxism is discussed in respect to Hegelian thought. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 3 page paper looks at the concept from the views of Marx, Weber and Durkheim. The concept is discussed as it pertains to daily life. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page paper which analyzes the first and last parts of "The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Napoleon" by Karl Marx. No additional sources cited.

Kornblum’s, Interactionism, Conflict and Functionalism: This 7-page analytical essay examines the three major theoretical precepts espoused by William Kornblum relevant to his sociological text, “Sociology: The Central Questions.” Functionalism, Conflict and Interactionism, the cornerstones of his ideology expose the friction that exists between those who want to modify social structure, and those who wish to ...

This 9 page paper provides an overview of Pareto's ideas regarding the allocation of resources. The fact that public goods and externalities may prevent the achievement of Pareto optimality in the allocation of resources, is discussed. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 5 page paper concludes that economic determinism is the basis of Marxism. Marx and Engels's theories, as spelled out in the Communist Manifesto, are discussed in light of economics. Bibliography lists 1 source.

Marshall McLuhan – Renaissance Man?:This 7-page essay discusses this legendary Canadian dubbed “the Media Prophet.” In addition, his core ideologies relevant to various electronic media and his overall contributions are examined. Misunderstood and disliked in his own time, he now seems idolized for all the wrong reasons. Bibliography lists 4 sources. SNMarshm.doc

This 6 page report discusses two of the “founding fathers” of modern sociology and compares and contrasts several of their best known ideas. A student of modern Western civilization must ask themself what combination of factors and circumstance resulted in today’s world and which of those are universal or determinants of significance and value. Both Durkheim and Weber expressed their unique perspectives ...

A 17 page review of a series of lectures presented in 1968. This paper summarizes the main points of this series lecture by lecture emphasizing the interconnection between sociology, all its related subclassifications, and other disciplines. No additional sources are listed.