Max Baer

Introduction 1.1 Michel Foucault Michel Foucault was a French philosopher, a historian of ideas, a social the- orist, philologist and a literary critic. His theories addressed the relationship between power and knowledge, and how they are used as a form of social con- trol through societal institutions. Foucault is considered to be a postmodern or post-structuralist as his theories have been used for re-assessing modernity's most cherished principles.[4] 1.2 Foucault's ideas on Objectication…

Functionalism and Education The functionalist perspective is a sociological viewpoint that examines how social order is possible and examines how societies remain relatively stable. It is referred to as a macro-sociological perspective as it is concerned with society as a whole and less concerned with individualism. It is focused on ensuring that the norms and values of a society are passed on from generation to generation. In order to ensure a society’s survival, it “must recruit new members…

spent two years in Algeria which lead to his writing of his first book, Sociologie de L'Algerie (The Algerians). In 1981, he was given the chair at College de France which is a presigious placing for a sociologist. Heavily influenced by Karl Marx, Max Weber, Émile Durkheim and many others, he introduced a different concept of capital such as cultural, social and symbolic capital which is different from the usual economic capital, as well as habitus, field and symbolic violence. Cultural Capital…

Today many people know the roles of a social worker and why we need them in society, but what they don’t know is that there are several different type of social workers. Some play different roles than others and some have more authority. The best example would likely be the comparisons and differences towards two main social workers; general social workers and clinical social workers. Although general social workers and clinical social workers are alike, they are both different due to their…

Sociologists approach social phenomena from a variety of perspectives. The three main perspectives that are utilized in the field of psychology are structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Each of these perspectives offers a unique view on societal occurrences and social problems. The first two perspectives look at things from a macro level, while the third perspective looks at things from a micro level. Even though structural functionalism and conflict theory…

KARL POLANYI: The Great Transformation In the 19th century, economy was still “embedded” (Polanyi, 1992) in the society, that is economic activities were influenced by social, religious and political relationships existing between people. Earlier, market exchange of commodities depended on trust, barter system and mutual understanding. Polanyi distinguishes commodities into real and fictitious commodities. Real commodities are commodities that are produced for sale in market. Polanyi,…

Social class is an important dimension of social organization and division. Yet different scholars have very distinct understandings of the meaning of social class, how it should be studied, and how it is related to the broader social order. Choose at least two scholars and analyze their conceptions of social class. What do their conceptions have in common? How are they different? Which understanding of social class is most useful for understanding the dynamics of stratification in contemporary…

Sociology is the investigation of social life, social change, and the social results of human conduct. Sociologists research the structure of gatherings associations, and societies and how individuals interact inside these settings. Sociology is an energizing and lighting up field of study that examines and clarifies essential matters in our personal lives, our groups, and the world. At the personal level, sociology examines the social causes and results of such things as sentimental adoration,…

Harvey Cox’s work The Market as G-d is an analysis of “The Market” and religion—exploring their shared natures and functions as forces within the lived human experience. Cox (in all but name) dissects the structure of a neoliberal economy to discover that the notion of “Free Market” moves and speaks much like that of religion. As Cox explores the relationship between “The Market” and religion within the paradigm of neoliberalism, one witnesses how a neoliberal economy elevates and enthrones the…

Sociology is a broad area of study. It can be connotated with the successes and failures of a society. Theorists and sociologists such as Engels, Nietzsche, and Marx publicized their views and ideals on what kind of society would flourish and what was wrong with the one they were currently living in. Engels and Marx described the effects of communism and a capitalist class working against the laboring class and forcing them away from society. Nietzsche tapped into religion and how it is…