HSP3M
Unit Focus Questions: What are social institutions? Are Canada’s social institutions successful?
Topics in this Unit: The Criminal Justice System, marriage and the family, work, and
Education
Summative Evaluations: power-point presentation (individual project - on selected topics in work or education) and a test
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Activity # 1
Read “Russia’s Social Institutions Fail to Prepare Youths for Society” On pg. 152. Answer questions 1,2, 3 on a separate sheet of paper
Activity # 2
2.1 – Go back in your notes or in the text (pg. 18) and quickly review the functionalism school of sociology.
What is functionalism? (draw a picture to help you remember)
2.2 – List as many examples of social institutions as you can. Then rank them in terms of their importance (which social institutions that you listed are most important in keeping society function smoothly, which are least important?).
Your ranking

2.3 - Read the Text pg. 153-155. Answer the questions below on a separate sheet of paper.
1) What role do social institutions play?
2) What is the difference between personal and impersonal social institutions? Give examples of each.
3) What are the five main characteristics of social institutions?
4) How does the legal system fit into this definition (defined by the characteristics)?
5) What are the two main purposes of social institutions?
6) Does the Criminal Justice system meet these purposes?
7) Do you think marriage meets these purposes in Canada? Briefly explain your answer.
8) Do you think the family meets these purposes in Canada? Briefly explain your answer.
9) Do you think work meets these purposes in Canada? Briefly explain your answer.
10) Do you think education meets these purposes in Canada? Briefly explain your answer.
11) Read the yellow box on pg. 154. Briefly explain Dr. Vincent Sacco’s answer to the question of whether or not “…sociologists agree that social institutions promote the common good?”
12) What is a total institution? What is the goal of a total institution? Review the key characteristic (pg. 155)
13) How do social institutions differ from total institutions?
14) In your own words explain the two-part process of resocialization.
15) Define: conformity, rehabilitation and institutionalization
16) According to Goffman, what is one negative outcome of total institutions/