What is meant by the nature vs. nurture debate in the social sciences? 

Use your textbook, any related videos listed on the course homepage and related powerpoint presentations posted on the course homepage to respond to all ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS.  Responses should be thorough, include definitions, examples, and demonstrate clear understanding of conceptual objectives listed on the Syllabus.  Each response should be 3-4 pages in length and double spaced. APA FORMAT

Match the correct chapter readings with the topics below.  Depending on what edition you use the chapter numbers may be different.  So, read the correct chapter according to each question topic.

FOR ASSIGNMENT 1:

Chapter 1 – Sociology & the Real World

Chapter 4 – section on Nature/Nurture

Chapter 8 – Race and Ethnicity as Lived Experience

Chapter 7 – Social Class: The Structure of Inequality

I.  Please read chapters 1, 4 (just the section on Nature/Nurture) all of 8 and 7, as well as related websites, videos, and powerpoints on the Course Homepage (What is Sociology, Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology, and Major Sociology Theorists, Race and Social Stratification) to address the following question.  Be sure to use as many terms for your textbook and posted review sheets on the course homepage.

(*give concrete examples and be sure to let me know you have read the material.  in addition to your textbook, use any other website information i may post with each discussion question.    i realize you do not have the benefit of my lectures for this online course, so it is up to you to ‘convince’ me you know the material.  We depend a lot on you for this type of course.  that is evident in the quality and quantity of your writing.  So, a bit of what is required from you is to summarize the readings.  Too little not good and too much not necessarily needed.  Some of what we do will require you give back information that you read and some of what we do allows you to give your opinions (that is called critical analysis, when you give opinion based on fact).  Most importantly try to enjoy learning something you may not have known before!

1.  What is sociology and the sociological perspective?  What do you see are some of the most important uses of sociology?  What is meant by the nature vs. nurture debate in the social sciences?  Describe and compare and contrast functional theory, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.  Who are the major contributors (theorists) to each theory?  Which theory is a macro level theory and which is a micro level theory?  What is a demographic variable?  Using race and social class as two major demographic variables, define each and explain the consequences of developing notions of race and social class.  Cite an example of how each theory can be used to understand some human behavior, issue, or social problem of your choice.

Video for Chapter 1