sociology homework help online

sociology homework help online

Exploring Modern Sociological Theories and Applications

1. Introduction to Sociology and Its Importance

Sociology is the scientific and systematic study of society and societal interactions. Sociology is a multidimensional discipline. The historical path of sociology can be summarized as a study of social phenomena of various types and grades – from interaction patterns and small communities to global changes and organizations. Like any other science, sociology has multiple characteristics. Philosophy, experience, and everyday knowledge are simply very different from sociology. Sociology is a science because it uses the scientific method. This means that sociologists examine great empirical, measurable facts and patterns to test their theories about social relationships. In doing so, they subject their theories and interpretations to public scrutiny, and through replication, they try to prove to others that their observations are not biased and reasonable. Only when other sociologists can reproduce the findings should the research results expect acceptance.

2. Key Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

When one thinks of sociology, one may likely emphasize its use in evaluating the socially constructed world and how societies interact. Its use may range from understanding accepted norms and behaviors within a society or the policy implications for demographic changes, such as divorce rates or families with one parent. This essay focuses on two descriptive and distinctly different theoretical perspectives. Sociological perspectives expand to four, though all may not be discussed within this treatise. Nonetheless, introduction of an overall look at sociological perspectives, including the primary influences of important figureheads, will be covered. Sociology and its perspectives generally provide a unique look into the overall coherence of societies, offering new insight into global policy development and broader questions associated with social change.

3. Applications of Sociological Theories in Real-World Contexts

The employment of individuals who have been justice-involved (the blanket term that covers prisoners, parolees, and people formerly incarcerated) despite this public consensus can be significantly informed by an application of the Labeling and the Foucauldian theory of Surveillance. Indeed, emerging legal doctrine that reduces or removes employer discretion in hiring such individuals and employer’s attempt to respond in turn has the unique potential to determine who “the best” job candidate is in a manner that permits an analysis through a sociological trilogy lens.

Today, employers are incentivized to use risk management software/frameworks that promise to protect them from the “risk” of hiring the wrong person. That is, software that claims to identify job candidates who are likely to continue employment and perform well at a job with little oversight or support from a supervisor. The push for employer use of such software is buoyed by the fact that former incarcerated persons typically experience extreme difficulties securing employment after their release, despite having developed numerous skills and competencies during their imprisonment. Moreover, employing former inmates has a beneficial impact for society and public safety by reducing re-offense rates through the provision of resources such as a source of income and a stable living environment.

4. Contemporary Issues and Debates in Sociology

Modern theories are often built from the combined work of the classical theorists, contemporary theorists, and modern sociological researchers who expand on existing or develop entirely unique perspectives of their own. Through this scholarship modern research grows, current theories are debated and debated again, and the sociological imagination continues. These theories present very different ways of understanding and interpreting society. It is an exciting time to consider how these theories help answer contemporary questions. As we move through this section, weigh how these perspectives help answer the big questions and current controversies discussed. Founders and the classical sociological theorists granted momentum to theorization and overlay a recognizable structure on how scholars have historically investigated society. Today’s work emanates from and builds upon this foundation.

A foundation for understanding contemporary theories to apply to modern issues is what sociological theory has been. Founders, classical sociologists, the most foundational and influential sociological points of view, have been influential thinkers who have set the stage for modern scholars. This section has walked through the core theoretical perspectives that ground considerations of how we interpret and understand society. Yet there are current, ongoing, evolving, growing, and changing issues informative of sociology. These ideas draw on or expand some of these theories. There are strong connections between theory and the study of contemporary society.