Analyse and Evaluate the relationship between religion and Social Change.

Mandip Dhillon Analyse and Evaluate the relationship between religion and Social Change. The relationship between religion and social change had been strongly debated in the past years, as more and more individuals have to a certain extent 'broken' away from the more traditional values shared in a once united society. Writers on religion tend to fall into on of two sides, ' those who see religion as a conservative force and those who see religion as a force for social change. This essay will examine, analyse and evaluate the two arguments. Durkheim, relates religion to the overall structure of the society, seeing it as acting as a conservative force. He based his work on a study of "Totemism," Australian Aborigines. A totem being an object, i.e. plant, animal or something with a deep symbolic meaning. He argued that it was these totems that presented the most basic form of religion. Durkheim then defined religion in terms of the sacred and the profane, the sacred being holy and spiritual and the profane the meaning directly the opposite. He argued that religion was only rarely a matter of individual belief, as most religions involved collective worship, holding rituals and ceremonies. He claimed that the individual when worshiping collectively recognised the divine influences of the Gods. It was this influence that attributed and provided the moral guidance for the

  • Word count: 1051
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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Evaluate the subcultural theories of crime

Evaluate the subcultural theories of crime. Subcultural theories of crime and deviance explain deviance in terms of the subculture of a social group. The theories argue that particular groups develop and maintain norms and values that differ from those held by the majority of modern day western society. Robert Merton argues that deviance results not only from 'pathological personalities' but also from the culture and structure of society itself. Merton begins his contention from the standard functionalist position of value consensus, that is, all members of society share the same values. However, since members of society are placed in different positions in the social structure, they do not have the same opportunities as others of realising the shared values. According to Merton, this can cause deviance. "The social and cultural structure generates pressure for socially deviant behaviour upon people variously located in that structure." In using the U.S.A in his example, Merton outlined his theory as follows: members of American society share the major values of American culture, particularly where they share the goal of success, for which they all strive to achieve, and which is largely measured in terms of wealth and material possessions. The "American Dream" states that all members of society have an equal opportunity of achieving success, of owning a Cadillac, a

  • Word count: 1726
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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Evaluate the view that Religion acts as a conservative force in modern society.

Evaluate the view that Religion acts as a conservative force in modern society. Within the sociology of religion there have been many debates over whether there is a relationship between Social change and Religion. Many perspectives in sociology discourage the idea that Religion acts as a conservative force but there is much evidence given by the likes of Marxism and Feminism which support the idea that Religion acts to prevent social change. It may seem unfair to count Religion as a whole, considering that it does embody so many different opinions, beliefs and rituals. If we did judge Religion in its entirety then we could say it acts a force for change and as a conservative force at the same time, in modern society. Sociologists may also analyse how Religion has developed, for example, new Sects and Cults have very different views at times, which we cannot underestimate. Feminism is one perspective which agrees that Religion acts a conservative force in modern society. They believe Religion justifies Patriarchy and all dominance over women. For example, in Christianity 'God' is often described as male and Eve was made from a part of Adam for the role of 'helpmate'. These 'traditions' are used in society to keep women in their place and are often not questioned. Feminists provide much evidence which supports the conservative role of Religion. A criticism is that, while God

  • Word count: 1177
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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Evaluate the view that religion acts as a Conservative force in Modern society

"Far from generating an agreed set of values that hold society together, religion has more often been the cause of conflict and division." Assess this claim in the light of sociological argument and evidence. Religion is an incredibly important issue within society in general, it played an important part in the past and is still at the forefront of attention even today when some claim it is in recession. Key religious figures are often seen in the media, like the Pope or Archbishop of Canterbury because they hold a position of respect and their opinions are seen as important. Therefore this topic is one which is extremely emotive and can produce major results. This is why religion can be seen as a cause of conflict and social division while also being categorised as a form of cohesive measure. However these seemingly contradictory ideas stem from the fact that the role of religion is also undefined and not agreed on. This important debate within the sociological world has been a huge dividing point but despite copious research neither argument can produce substantial evidence to prove their claims. The functionalist viewpoint is one which has led the way for the idea that religion is a tool which generates an agreed set of values that hold society together. Functionalism is one of the mainstream sociological viewpoints from the social systems perspective which

  • Word count: 2728
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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In what sense is Burke the founder of modern British Conservative thought?

In What Sense is Burke the founder of Modern British Conservative Thought? Edmund Burke, the passionate defender of the "ancient principles", is considered by all accounts the founder of modern British political conservatism; and generations of 'conservative' thinkers have centred their political thesis on his philosophical and practical wisdom. Although Burke never produced anything that may be regarded as a systematic political treatise, he governed his life though a consistent political creed. Political thinkers have drawn from Burke's creed and have grouped a set of ideologies that form the foundations of modern day conservatism. It can therefore be stated that Burke gave birth to such ideologies. However, it is important that here an understanding of an ideology is noted; as conservatism is unwilling to be subscribed to fixed notions, but instead evolves to the current political climate based on past experiences. Conservatism is a 'common - sensical' philosophy, "a Natural disposition of mind"1 which rejects the idea that human beings can be perfected. Modern Conservative thought subscribes to substantive views regarding the nature of society, the role of reason in human affairs, the proper tasks of government and to a certain extent the nature of moral and legal rules; and in this essence cam be considered an ideology. This essay proposes that Burkes political creed is

  • Word count: 1573
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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Sex and Gender.

Sex and Gender ____________________________ The taboo nature of there problems may mean they are isolated and often kept in the dark. This may cause considerable Confusion as although gender is a cultural conception it is often misrepresented as biological facts. In reality, there is a wide spectrum of sex/gender identity and people can be dotted anywhere along the line between male and female masculine and feminine. Some people may be relived to discover their intersexuality particularly if their sexual self-identification is at odds with the sex that has been assigned to them . However, maybe the real discomfort (disorder) grows through adolescence and into adulthood, as family and society, in ignorance of their underlying gender identity, relentlessly reinforce expectations imposed upon them in accordance with their physical appearance alone. One problem is who decides who needs treatment and who doesn't. Evidence (from the new scientist) shows that boys are six times more likely to singled out for treatment as parents see boys acting or dressing like girls as less acceptable. Another problem is many children experience identity confusion and many grow out of it or work through it managing with out help to resolve the confusion for themselves. Treatment may interrupt this important process to assert a contrived general assumption about what men and women should be.

  • Word count: 3066
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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Same Sex Marriage

Same-Sex Marriage By John Kim Same-sex marriage is a term used for a social or legally recognized marriage amid two people of the same gender. Freeman, M.D.A (1999). The most commonly term used in politics and media is Gay marriage. Some crusaders of the same-sex marriage use the name equal- marriage to emphasis that they are looking for equality and not special rights when it comes to marriage between people of the same sex. There are those people who argue that equating opposite-sex marriage and same-sex marriage will change the entire meaning of marriage and its general traditions (Hull, K. 2006). Moreover they often use the term Homosexual marriage which is regarded to be more stigmatizing than the term gay. There are those people who suggest that the term marriage should be reserved for civil, religious and legal contexts using a standardized concept of civil companionship. This kind of arrangement will reinforce the wall of division between the state and the church by putting a holly institution entirely to the church while placing secular organization under the control of the state. Some opponents and proponents of the same sex-marriage find suggestions of that sort to be unworkable. Whereas there are instances of some societies who recognize same-sex marriages, historical records shows a remarkable diversity of the treatment given to same-sex marriages which range

  • Word count: 601
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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To some people the 1960's were the best of times; to others it was a period when many things went wrong in society. Why do people have such different ideas about the 1960's?

Assignment 1 Question 3 To some people the 1960's were the best of times; to others it was a period when many things went wrong in society. Why do people have such different ideas about the 1960's? The 1960's were a time that many people look back on with fond memories, but which others blame for some of the failings in society. Until the early sixties society had remained largely stable since the second half of the nineteenth century. The family was the most important social units and it was usually dominated by the breadwinner, also known as the father. By the end of the sixties, what mattered to many in society was no longer the family, but the individual. Freedom and self-expression now seemed to be more important than responsibility and obligation. This meant people had more individual rights. Everybody knew that young people let their hair down, but that later, as they matured, they settled down to their responsibilities. But what made these changes so important and more worrying to some was that the changes were not just affecting young people. It was also a time when there were startling changes in morality and social values were taking place. The whole emphasis seemed to be on change and experiment. As one person put it "It was very heaven to be alive" To most people, the developments of the years from 1963 to 1965 seemed to be harmless. It was just a case of

  • Word count: 1309
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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To what extent are the experiences and attitudes of Yang Digong and Li Zucui typical of life in modern China?

To what extent are the experiences and attitudes of Yang Digong and Li Zucui typical of life in modern China? As the question asked states 'to what extent are the experiences and attitudes of Yang Digong and Li Zucui typical of life in China', I feel it is wrong to be comparing these two very different people of such dissimilarity. I will be analyzing both their experiences and attitudes whilst comparing them to one another and their typicality. The experiences of Yang Digong are typical but only to a certain extent. There are numerous accounts that show he acted and lived like a typical Chinese person in modern China. Yang, like millions of the Chinese public, took part in many demonstrations, one of these being the Shanghai protest in which he was punished by exile. In this public manifestation, alongside thousands of his fellow students, he was protesting for the lack of personal freedom and democracy, with the hope to try and change China. By acknowledging this demonstration it is obvious that Yang was previously interested in politics and trying to maintain equal rights and liberation. As we can see from source C he now works as a bond dealer and dines in Chinese restaurants claiming he is "not interested in politics but in getting a good job." His strong views on freedom and democracy have now been abolished by money and power supplied by the government who now claim

  • Word count: 833
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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Underachievement

Underachievement can be defined in several ways. The sub-group have chosen to define underachieving pupils as: 'pupils who are not disruptive or badly behaved, nor probably, amongst the most able pupils. They are seen as co-operative, often quiet and not problematic in either the academic or social sense. However, this profile means that they may become anonymous within the classroom and thus under-perform in relation to their academic potential.' Working with this definition means that the sub-group has not concerned itself with pupils with special educational needs or the most able pupils, although they note that it is possible for any group of pupils to underachieve. The problem of the academic underachievement of girls has been highlighted by researchers who have examined sex differences in the outcomes of school and higher education since the 1970s and explored how females experience learning (Paechter 1998). Maleness and education was not seen as a problem and many aspects of masculinity went unresearched (Connell 1989, 1995). Over the last ten years there has been a dramatic shift from initial concern about the attainment of girls to a growing concern about the underachievement of boys (Gender & Education 1997, International Journal of Inclusive Education 1998). However the 'new issue' of the 90s in Western societies including the US, Australia and the UK

  • Word count: 987
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Sociology
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