Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work

Introduction to Sociology - SOCI1002

Semester 2, 2022-2023
Tutorials Questions
Discussion question
“The COVID-19 global pandemic has revolutionized the ways in which we interact with each
other, conduct business, teach and even how students learn. The pandemic has caused us to
embrace and use technology as the new normal”.
In light of this statement, discuss the notion that the global pandemic has accelerated a necessary
social change towards the digitisation of the Caribbean society? Give reasons and provide
examples to support your response.

Tutorial Discussion/Presentation Questions

1. C. Wright Mills (1916-1962) famously argued that Sociology is not some dry enterprise
detached from life, but rather an escape from the “traps” of our lives. What did Mills
mean by this? Outline at least four benefits of using a sociological perspective.

2. “Social groups are important building blocks of society.” Discuss this statement in
relation to how various social groups foster personal development, a common identity
and assists us in performing various tasks in society. Give examples to illustrate your
answer and indicate what kind of social group you are investigating in each example.

3. Using some of the key components of culture (language, values, material culture etc),
present an analysis of any one cultural group in Jamaica (eg. a religious culture, a sports
culture, a youth culture). Discuss the processes through which this cultural group changes
over time (eg. invention, diffusion, etc). Give examples to illustrate your answer.
4. Compare and contrast the arguments of Durkheim and Marx as it relates to how society
maintains social order (or not) and the factors that drive social change.

5. How does Social Action theory attempt to correct a bias inherent in all macro-level
approaches to understanding society? How does a micro-level approach help us to
understand more about how individuals experience society? Give examples to illustrate
your answer. Describe at least two drawbacks of Social Action theory.

6. “The Caribbean is characterized by closed stratification systems.” Evaluate this

statement, referring to the arguments of relevant Caribbean theorists.

7. “Plantation society theory is no longer useful for providing an explanation of how

Caribbean societies operate in the 21st Century.” Discuss.

8. “Our Afro-Caribbean family forms can no longer be explained by traditional theories as

they have been redefined by the penetration of Westernized values and norms.” Discuss,
citing relevant examples.