Sociology 103 Tutorial #4
M O N D A Y A U G U S T 1 3 TH, 2 0 1 2
TA contact info
My email – joshcurtis.utoronto@gmail.com
Office – Sociology building 725 Spadina (second floor)
Web site - http://joshcurtispolisoc.com/
Plan
1) Questions about the test
2) Explain test structure
3) Discuss the readings in sociology text (in groups /
article explanation).
4) Weekly homework question
Readings
Test #3
 Starting points: Chapter on Politics and Social
Movements
 Readings in Sociology all: 1,2,3,5,6,14,15,16.
All multiple choice.
Wednesday, August 15th, EX 200 7-10
Exam Breakdown
107 Reading Sociology (about 4-5 from each chapter)
33 questions from ‘Starting Points’
10 Lectures
Total 150
Hint for Readings in Sociology
The multiple choice questions will likely come from:
1) The main arguments of the papers (is it theoretical
or empirical?)
2) The key sociological figures (and their theories).
3) Bolded terms.
4) Sections are HEAVILY organized. The sub
headings will direct your focus.
5) Often, the main argument will come in the first 2-3
paragraphs – this should also direct your focus.
Readings in Sociology
Answer the following questions:
1) Identify the main argument of the chapter
(thesis).
2) What is the purpose of the article (i.e.,
academically, why did the author write this paper –
is it tied into a debate?). (Puzzle/contribution).
3) Identify and define all key terms and key figures.
Section on Politics
Readings in Sociology:
On the exam there are about 20 questions in this
section.
ALL chapters are likely to be tested.
Starting Points:
Just this weeks chapters: politics and social
movements
Chapter 57: Redistribution


Explore the relationship between social expenditures and public
opinion
Main conclusion: People are affected by the political and
economic conditions that they experience but not by level of
social spending per se
Purpose: “This paper examines the relationship between economic
and political conditions on welfare spending in Canada from 1980 to
2005”.
The Debate: How are attitudes shaped, and the relationship between
public opinion and social spending.
Key Terms: Welfare State, redistribution, social democracy, public
expenditures.
The Big Picture

Relationship between policy and public opinion
 Two explanations:
1.
2.
Elected officials maximize chance of re-election by responding to
public preferences (Stimson 1995, Wlezien 2004, Brooks and
Manza 2007)
Economic and political factors influence public preferences
(Andersen and Fetner 2008, Kenworthy and McCall 2008)
 Regardless of causal interpretation one prefers, growing
inequality within nations (Fisher and Hout 2006,
Firebaugh 2000, Banting 2006, Myles 2010), and a
general rightward shift in government policy underscore
the importance of studying these relationships
Potential influences on public opinion
1. Political regime—i.e., social democratic, liberal,
2.
3.
4.
5.
conservative—influences attitudes (Svallfors 1997;
Papadakis 1993)
Support for spending lowest during economic
recession (Shivo and Uusitalo 1995, Svallfors 1991,
1995 )
Public responds to changes in public spending
(Soroka and Wlezien 2004)
Class or income effects based on “economicutilitarian” views (Kaltenthaler and Ceccoli 2008, Jaeger
2006)
Type of programs (i.e., targeted versus universal)
also matters (Korpi and Palme 1998)
Important questions this article answers
Main conclusion: People are affected by the political and
economic conditions that they experience but not by
level of social spending per se
What is the strongest influence of public opinion on
welfare state spending?
2) When is public support for welfare spending highest?
3) What factors do not have a strong influence on public
opinion (think of the debate)?
4) People in which types of countries tend to be the
strongest supporters of welfare state spending?
1)
Chapter 56
“Canada’s Rights Revolution”
Purpose: To describe fundamental themes related to
social movements, through different research and
media narratives.
Focus: Canadian focus.
Important Ideas
1) What are social movement organizations?
1) Discussion of human rights: a) significant
advances; b) mechanisms that advance/inhibit
social progress.
2) What should be done in Canada?
Ch 55
Purpose: Describe how National Census Data in India were
successfully collected in order to sample Caste systems.
They ask: By 1921 census collectors were equipped to sample
the populations correctly. ‘How did this radical transformation
occur? To answer this question we draw upon national archival
research. We examine the correspondence of census officials as
well as reports concerning caste data”.
Research goals: “To explain how the national census bureau
was able to adapt to successfully sample these populations”.
Important terms
This chapter is about the problems that existed with
early census gathering (so, methodological issues) and
how they were over come.
So, things to know:
1) What were the early problems? (local rather than
national)
2) What was the solution? (caste enumeration
through which process?). Who is Risley? His
attempt to discriminate between the Indian people
reflects what?
Chapter 58
Purpose:
The problem of declining universalism and it’s effects on European countries. In
particular, rising neo-liberalism and conservatism in EU countries as a result of
the ‘Social Europe Project’.
Key ideas:
Since the 1980s, EU social policy decisions represent corporate and neo-liberal
interests: they have no interest in pursuing decommodificaiton policies.
Social policies that decommodify labour are necessary.
States at the outset: “Capitalist economies cannot be maintained without social
policy- a point that many neoliberal commentators neglect.”
The functioning of the economy depends on functioning institutions, so it can
never be maintained by pure market relationships of supply and demand.
Important concepts
Neo-liberalism: is an ideology based on the advocacy of
economic liberalization and open markets, and deregulation. It
promotes the private sectors role in society and the economy.
Decommodification: refers to the process by which social policy
reduces individuals’ reliance on the market for their well being “.
Health care, education, income supplements, childcare pensions,
etc.
The social policies that the EU implements are targeted at
‘excluded’ populations, and are explicitly non-universal.
SO…
Critique of neo-liberalism, in favour of socially democratic
governing and a rise in universalistic social policy.
Important Ideas
Key ideas:
-Understand ‘neo-liberalism’ and its consequences
for social policy development.
-Decommodification (and recommodification)
-Universal versus Targeted social policies, and
what dominates the EU today.
-All things considered, what are the implications for
employment and labour conditions.
Starting Points: Ch 1
Definitions
 Sociology
 Macrosociology
 Microsociology
 Sociological imagination
 Role
 Status
 Social Structure
Discussion Questions
1) What is the difference between ‘Microsociology’
and ‘Macrosociology’? In groups, pick one general
topic and discuss how a researcher might approach
it from 1) a micro-level; and 2) a macro level.
1) The major theoretical perspectives are divisive in
many ways. What are the central tenets of each?
Explain specifically how they distinct - and in
opposition to – one another.
Chapter 3: Social Structures
Definitions
 Social script
 Identity
 Looking Glass Self
Discussion Question
1) Think of an experience in which someone violated a
social script. What do you conclude about the
significance of social scripts in human interaction.
Chapter 4: Culture
Definitions
 Culture
 Organizational culture
 Values
 Norms
 Folkways vs. Mores
 Material vs. non-material culture
 Ethnocentrism
 Counterculture
Group Question
Week 2 homework question
1) Do you think that a global culture is developing
across nations? If so, what are the implications of the
cultures and societies around the world? What are the
possible advantages and disadvantages of this change?
Who, if anyone, will benefit?
Questions
Week 1 homework question
The beginning of this chapter is about a rising global
population, scarce resources, and inequality. You are
presented with two perspectives: one functionalist
argument, and the other a more ‘critical’ or ‘conflict’
approach. In a brief response ( 1-2 pages) outline one
theoretical approach and apply it to the problem of
overpopulation. Which do you believe is most relevant
and why?