2006 Spring
SOSC185 Introduction to Sociology
Essay Questions
Each student is required to write a paper of 1,500-2,200 words (with an allowance up to no more
than 2,500 words) on one of the following topics, and submit the paper either to the Instructor or the
General Office of Division of Social Science (Rm#3372) on or before 15 May (Monday), 2pm.
Please put down your name, student ID number, and the course code/title (SOSC185/ Introduction to
Sociology). No plagiarism is allowed, that is, you must not copy materials from textbooks, articles
and any other documents without acknowledging the sources. In writing your paper, citation of
references is required.
1.
Some sociologists explain why the working class people are prone to committing crimes.
Are these explanations convincing?
Basic Readings
Haralambos, M. et al. 2004, Sociology, pp.332-351 (on reserve).
Recommended
Chambliss, W. J. 1997. “The Saints and the Roughnecks.” In James M. Henslin (ed), Down to
Earth Sociology: Introductory Readings. New York: Free Press (R)
2.
“Social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance,
and by applying those rules to particular people and labeling them as outsiders.” Discuss.
Basic Readings
Haralambos, M. et al., 2004, pp.332-351 (R).
Recommended
Chambliss, W. J. 1997. “The Saints and the Roughnecks.” In James M. Henslin (ed), Down to
Earth Sociology: Introductory Readings. New York: Free Press (R)
3.
Explain the class positions and compare the market strategies of any two occupations
from a Weberian perspective.
Basic Readings
Haralambos, M. et al. 2004. pp.12-16, 33-50. (R)
Recommended
MacDonald, K. 1995. “Accountancy,” pp. 109-113 in The Sociology of the Professions.
London: Sage. (R)
4.
In what ways is capitalism an exploitative system from a Marxist perspective? Do such
inequalities lead to increasing class conflicts? Give examples to support your answer.
Basic Readings
Haralambos, M. et al., 2004, pp. 9-12, 39-59. (R)
Recommended
Walsh, J. P. and A. Z. 1998. “Working Longer, Living Less – Understanding Marx Through the
Workplace Today.” In Peter Kivisto (ed), Illuminating Social Life – Classical and
Contemporary Theory Revisited. London: Pine Forge Press, pp.107-134. (R)
2006 Spring
5.
Does our education system allocate people into different occupational roles according to
their differential talents?
Basic Readings
Haralambos, M., et al. 2004, pp. 1-6, 692-694, 698-706, 731-751. (R)
Recommended
Cheng, K. M. 1997. “The Education System.” In Gerard A. Postiglione and Wing On Lee (eds)
Schooling in Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, pp.34-39 (R)
6.
To what extent has modernization brought about gender equality in our society? To the
extent it has not, discuss the usefulness and limitations of the liberal-feminist proposal for
change.
Basic Readings
Haralambos, et al., 2004, pp. 98-120, 126-143, 494-500, 516-517. (R)
Recommended
Hochschild, A. and A. Machung. 1993/ 1997. “Men Who Share ‘The Second Shift.’ In James M.
Henslin (ed), Down to Earth Sociology: Introductory Readings. New York: Free Press. (R)
7.
In Hong Kong, is power concentrated in the hands of some elites/ capitalists, or is power
relatively dispersed among the people? Explain your answer with reference to the theories
of the state and illustrate your answer with examples.
Basic Readings
Bilton et al., Introductory Socioloyg, 2002, pp. 194-215.
Haralambos, M. et al. 2004, pp.540-559.
Recommended
Leung, Benjamin K.P. 1990. “Power and Politics: A Critical Analysis” in Benjamin K.P. Leung
(ed) Social Issues in Hong Kong, Hong Kong: O.U.P., pp.13-26. (R)
8.
Interview 2-3 families and analyze the family structure and the pattern, as well as
dynamics, of social relations (e.g. gender relations) in these families. In what ways do
these cases illuminate the (changing) family structures and gender relations in our society
today?
Basic Readings
Haralambos, M. et al. 2004, pp. 482-485, 492-498, 508-517, 534-536.
Recommended
吳俊雄 (1989) 「家庭危機，誰的危機？工業化與香港家庭變遷的探索」。《明報月刋》。
1989 年 1 月號，頁 3-10。(R)
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