SP405: Elias argues that social norms correspond ‘to a very particular standard of human relationships and structure of feelings: Political Sociology Assignment, NUI, Ireland

Learning Outcomes:-

• Recognize and understand the relevance of a range of contemporary social theories to current social problems.
• Discuss key concepts and theories of power in contemporary social thought.
• Apply different contemporary theoretical concepts to various aspects of social life.
• Identify the ways in which contemporary theory can help us approach empirical problems in new ways.
• Develop advanced critical reading skills.

Questions

• Elias argues that social norms correspond ‘to a very particular standard of human relationships and structure of feelings’. Drawing on one specific contemporary example, explore this claim and examine its significance for the understanding of the effects of the civilizing process.
• Referring to one specific contemporary example, critically analyze the effects of a ‘stigma-theory’ of your choice on wider social issues.
• According to Marcuse, false needs ‘are superimposed upon the individual by particular social interests in his repression’. Referring to one specific contemporary example of a false need, analyze the ways in which it produces and sustains one-dimensionality.
• Critically evaluate the relevance of Foucault’s conception of ‘disciplinary power’ for the understanding of one specific contemporary social problem of your choice.