Plan for Exam

Plan for Exam

Student’s Name

Course

Professor’s Name

Institution

Date

Plan for Exam

1. Identity and Society

Key concepts

• Social identity theory: How individuals derive part of their identity from group memberships and strive to achieve positive distinctiveness.
• Intersectionality: How diverse aspects of identity intersect and craft experiences of privilege and oppression.
• Representation: How different groups are portrayed and represented in media and cultural products.

Theories

• Goffman’s presentation of self: How individuals manage and present their identities in social interactions and the roles they play.
• Hall’s cultural identity: Discusses the concept of shared culture forming one’s identity, how it applies to all group characteristics, and the definition of cultural identities as fluid.

– Relate to race, ethnicity, gender, and social class identities

• Consider how these identities are socially constructed and shape lived experiences.
• Analyze representations and stereotypes in media and popular culture.
• Explore intersections of multiple identities, such as Black women.

2. Family and Society

Key concepts

• Family diversity: The range of family forms beyond the traditional nuclear setup.
• Changing family structures: The evolution of family due to social, economic, and demographic changes.

Theories

• Functionalist view of family: The perspective that the family serves essential functions for society, such as socialization and economic stability.
• Feminist critique: The right of women to hold positions of leadership within families, as well as the equality of the sharing in domestic

– Relate to debates on family diversity and compressed modernization:

• Analyze the challenges and opportunities presented by diverse family forms.
• Explore how rapid social change (compressed modernization) impacts family structures in different contexts.
• Consider the changes globalization and population movements could bring to the family systems worldwide.

3. Work and Society

Key concepts

• Division of labor: Different tasks and roles allocation in the workplace and society.
• Migrant work: The experiences and challenges migrant workers face in various industries and sectors.
• Trends in work: Types of work differ with time; for instance, automation is on the rise, and remote work has become widespread.

Theories

• Marxist perspectives on work: The analysis of class relations, exploitation, and the alienation of labor in capitalist societies.
• Postindustrial society: The transformation of the industrial world economy into a service-oriented economy and its impact on work patterns and employment.

– Relate to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and unpaid work:

• Examine how technological advancements are reshaping work and employment.
• Explore the gendered nature of unpaid domestic and care work and its economic implications.
• Consider the impact of new work arrangements, such as remote work and the gig economy, on work-life balance and job security.

4. Understanding Social Inequalities

Key concepts

• Class, race, and gender inequalities: Disadvantages and biases that are structural and specific to given social groups.
• Social mobility: The ability for individuals to move up or down the socioeconomic ladder.

Theories

• Conflict theory: Assume that society is split into interest groups.
• Feminist theory: Explore gender inequalities and roles and what perpetuates them.

5. Exam Guidance and Research Methods

Key concepts

• Research ethics: Designing and operating with principles that respect ethical standards
• Bias: Personal, cultural, or methodological biases can influence research findings.
• Sampling: Representative subset selection of a population for study.

Qualitative methods:

• Interviews

Quantitative methods:

• Survey
• Secondary data analysis

Approaching Exam Questions

Section A (Situation-based questions)

1. Identify relevant theories explaining the situation:

• Break down the given situation and identify the key issues or phenomena involved.

2. Discuss appropriate research methods and their suitability:

• Explain the strengths and limitations of the chosen methods in the given context.

3. Outline potential research findings based on theories/concepts:

• Consider different perspectives and how they might shape the findings.
• Discuss the implications and significance of these potential findings about the given situation.

Section B (Case study/research-based questions):

1. Relate the question to specific case studies/research:
2. Evaluate the applicability of theories/concepts

• Discuss how the theories and concepts you have learned can be applied to understand or interpret the case study/research.
• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of using these theories/concepts in context.

Example Question 1 (Section A):

“Which social science theory best explains the lack of working-class employees in managerial positions?”

– Consider theories on class inequalities, social mobility, and cultural capital:

• Conflict theory: Highlight the power dynamics and unequal distribution of resources that favor dominant groups and limit opportunities for the working class.

Example Question 2 (Section B)

“Evaluate the way in which the COVID-19 pandemic has increased gender inequalities in society.”

– Relate to case studies/research on the pandemic’s impact on gender roles:

• Discuss research on job losses and economic insecurity experienced by women, particularly in sectors heavily impacted by the pandemic.
• Show a case where women’s education or professional advancement was disrupted due to caregiving responsibilities or remote learning challenges.

– Apply relevant theories like feminist theory and intersectionality:

• Feminist theory: Explore how ensuing gender inequalities and patriarchal setups, which were prevalent, had led to the unequal impacts of COVID-19 on women.
• Intersectionality: Consider how factors like race, class, and immigrant status intersect with gender to shape experiences during the pandemic.

– Analyze factors like unpaid labor, employment, and caregiving responsibilities:

• Discuss the gendered division of unpaid domestic and care work and how this intensified during lockdowns and school closures.
• Examine the disproportionate impact on women’s employment, particularly in hospitality, retail, and healthcare sectors.
• Explore the challenges of balancing work and caregiving responsibilities and their implications for women’s career progression and economic security.