1. Consider what you have learned about the sociological imagination. Choose one of the following topics: war, unemployment, divorce, or poverty and provide an example of a public issue and a private trouble associated with the topic. Describe how the two influence each other.
2. What characteristics are sociologists looking at when they refer to an individual’s socioeconomic status? How does the social class an individual is born into shape their life chances and choices? Provide one example.
3. Think about the functionalist perspective on culture. Based on this perspective, provide an understanding how functionalist would view one of these topics: sports, popular culture, religion. Be sure you clearly demonstrate the basic tenants of this theory when providing your reasoning.
4. What is the difference between ethnocentrism and cultural relativism? Provide an example of each.
5. How would symbolic interactions explain the social phenomenon of people standing in lines for days to get the latest iPhone?
