I’m studying for my Sociology class and don’t understand how to answer this. Can you help me study?

learning journal should be at least two to three (2-3) typewritten pages (double-spaced). Please address each of the following statements when writing your learning journal:

1. State briefly the main idea of the appropriate reading.

• This is fairly self-explanatory, but take a few concepts and topics (of your choosing) from the reading to discuss in your journal. Since each unit contains several chapters, you won’t be able to summarize everything. Just pick 3-5 terms or concepts to summarize and discuss. Review them briefly (1/2 – 3/4 of a page), since the majority of your learning journal should address items 2 & 3.
• The point of this item is for you to relate what you’re learning from the reading to your own experience. (It can be an experience you’ve had or something that you’re hearing about in the news.) The purpose of part 2 is so that you can see how sociology relates to your own life.
• If you choose S/F theory, you might talk about functions (manifest, latent) and dysfunctions, consensus, harmony, etc.
• If you choose S/I theory, talk about symbols, meaning, interaction, etc.
• If you choose conflict theory, you might discuss social class differences and struggles, inequality, exploitation, etc.

• Describe an event in the social world (that pertains in some way to what you discussed for #1) and relate that event to an event in your life.

3. Conclude with your sociological perspective on the situation.

What I’m looking for here is for you to analyze the life experience you’ve described using one of the three main theories (conflict, structural-functionalism, symbolic interaction). To help you do that, answer these questions:

1. Which theory best applies to the event you describe?

2. Why? (Tell me how it applies)

Here’s a quick example:

You might first write about the concepts of material and nonmaterial culture, ethnocentrism, cultural relativism. (You won’t be able to summarize a lot from the text; just pick a few key concepts/ideas that you found interesting from the chapters.)

Then, you would relate this to your own experience or something you’re hearing about in the news. For example, if you’ve traveled to another country, you might recount all of the cultural differences that you observed.

Finally, you could apply symbolic interaction to this experience by discussing how cultural symbols (gestures, etc.) mean different things in different cultures. Those meanings then allow members of the culture to make sense of, and participate in their world.

That’s a sketchy example, but I hope it helps. If you have any questions, please let me know