FINAL EXAMINATION

A Word on Writing Theory Essays

Part of success in this class depends upon the ability to express yourself in writing. Many times students will turn in what is essentially a rough draft - it will be full of inconsistencies, illogical assumptions and comparisons, mistakes and misspellings. You have three shots at this and they all require you to write. I expect polished, well thought out answers. I never set page limits on students - you must learn to judge when you've covered the topic sufficiently. I suspect, however, expect that all three completed essays will be around ten pages. A good idea is to have some of your friends read your essays - they will find mistakes you've missed. Also, if you can explain it to a friend who is not in the class and they can understand it, its likely I will understand it as well. It boils down to this: revise, revise, revise.

SOC260:  Introduction to Sociological Theory

FINAL TAKE HOME EXAMINATION  

Instructions:  This is a take-home essay examination.  You are to submit typed pages in which the questions you have selected to answer are stated at the top.  Good essays have an introductory paragraph and a conclusion.  For the questions in section one, two to three typed pages may suffice; for questions in section two, three to five pages will be necessary.  Although I encourage students to help each other understand concepts and master the course material through cooperation, I expect each student to do their own work. The test has two sections. 

SECTION ONE  

This question is worth fifty percent of your overall grade for the examination. 

Review and discuss Mead's stages of self development. Be sure to define "self" first.

SECTION TWO

 Each of these questions is worth twenty-five points.

Marx specified that the organization of human society had gone through several important changes in the course of human history. Identify and briefly explain each stage

In an attempt to refute the Marxist claims that ideas are determined by the mode of production of society, the sociologist Max Weber demonstrates the interrelationship and interdependence of ideational and material factors in history - explain his position.