Social Institutions

  Social Institutions 

1.  In which forms of government do average citizens have the least and most political power? 
In your response, also discuss voter participation in the U.S.  Explain how a voter’s social class and other social factors can affect his or her voting practices. Besides voting, how can U.S. citizens influence political processes and outcomes? 

Share a recent news piece (within the last 3 months) related to politics or government in the U.S. or around the world.  Discuss the connection to the course topics and provide a link to the story (a citation is not required).

2.  Describe your vision of a model economic system – is it capitalist, socialist, or somewhere in between? In your answer be sure to compare and contrast the two major economic systems (capitalism and socialism).  How do you think the United States economy will change as we move closer to a technology-driven service economy?  

Also share a recent news piece (within the last 3 months) related to the economy in the U.S.  Discuss the connection to the course topics and provide a link to the story (a citation is not required).

3.  What factors contribute to the disparities in health among racial, ethnic, and gender groups in the United States? How is this a sociological issue as well as a medical one?  

Also share a recent news piece (within the last 3 months) related to health or healthcare in the U.S.  Discuss the connection to the course topics and provide a link to the story (a citation is not required).

The questions meet the following course objectives:

Apply a sociological perspective to the social world.
Analyze contemporary social issues using the sociological imagination and use sociological theories and concepts to analyze everyday life.
Interpret the United States economy and politics.
Discuss the sociological study of health and medicine in society.

350-400 words. Please number answers as received.