Soc100 V8 Sociology In Real World Cultures Worksheet

Soc100 V8sociology In Real World Cultures Worksheetsoc100 V8page 2 O

Complete Parts I–III below. Respond to each question in complete sentences using at least the number of words indicated. Do not copy or plagiarize someone else’s writing; include citations to reference the location of any information that you use from the textbook or other resources.

Part I: Sociological Imagination

This week, you were introduced to sociology and the ways that culture shapes an individual’s experiences within a society. Sociologists use their sociological imagination to examine the relationship between an individual’s behavior and experiences and the wider culture that shapes their choices.

Respond to the prompts in the table below.

Question Response

1. Define sociology. <Write your 15-word response here.>
2. Define sociological imagination. <Write your 15-word response here.>
3. Apply your sociological imagination to your decision to get your college degree.

   Explain why you chose the degree path you did, and what social forces or trends may have impacted your decision.

   How much of your choice of college major was influenced by your personal life experiences?

   How much was influenced by a larger structural force? (For example, to explain an increase in women joining the military, sociologists could examine women’s individual experiences and cultures that shaped their desire to enlist, as well as larger forces at play, such as policy changes at the Department of Defense.)

   <Write your 90-word response here.>

Part II: Sociological Theories

When examining the world, sociologists use theories to evaluate social issues. Theories are used to analyze a variety of perspectives on social issues and how different aspects of society may work.

Define each theory in the table below in your own words.

1. Symbolic Interactionism <Write your 30-word definition here.>
2. Structural Functionalism <Write your 30-word definition here.>
3. Conflict Theory <Write your 30-word definition here.>

Part III: Corporate Culture

Answer the questions in the table below after reviewing the following segments of “It’s All About Culture” from the University Library:

• Segment 1, “What Is Corporate Culture?”
• Segment 2, “Levels of Culture Within an Organization”
• Segment 3, “Types of Corporate Cultures”

Question Response

1. Define culture and subculture. <Write your 30-word response here.>
2. What is corporate culture? How is it manifested in the workplace? List two examples. <Write your 50-word response here.>
3. What are the three levels of corporate culture within each organization?

   Define each and provide examples of how you might encounter each level in your current or future career.

   <Write your 90-word response here.>

4. How can acknowledging the levels of corporate culture benefit the workplace? <Write your 30-word response here.>
5. Select two of the four types of corporate culture from the video and define them in your own words. How do they differ?

   <Write your 50-word response here.>

Paper For Above instruction

Sociology is the systematic study of society, social interactions, and cultural norms that shape human behavior. It explores how societal forces influence individual and group actions within various social contexts (Henslin, 2017). Sociological imagination refers to the ability to see the relationship between personal experiences and larger social forces, connecting individual lives to broader societal structures (Mills, 1959). Applying this to my college degree decision, I recognize that my choice was influenced by personal interests and family expectations, but also by structural factors like labor market demands and educational policies that shape opportunities for students today (Calhoun, 2010). These social forces played a significant role in guiding my academic path, illustrating how individual decisions are often intertwined with societal influences.

Sociological theories provide frameworks for understanding society’s complexities. Symbolic Interactionism emphasizes how individuals create meaning through social interactions, shaping reality along shared symbols and language (Blumer, 1969). Structural Functionalism views society as a complex system with interconnected parts working together to maintain stability and order (Durkheim, 1895). Conflict Theory highlights economic and power disparities that lead to social inequalities and conflict (Marx, 1867). These theories help analyze social issues from different perspectives, offering insights into how societal forces operate and influence individual lives.

Culture encompasses the shared beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors of a group, while subculture refers to smaller groups within a larger culture that have distinct norms and practices (Kroeber & Kluckhohn, 1952). Corporate culture is the shared values, beliefs, and practices that characterize an organization and influence its members’ behaviors and decision-making processes. It manifests in the workplace through organizational rituals, communication styles, and shared norms. For example, a company might promote innovation or emphasize teamwork as core values, which shape employee interactions and organizational policies (Schein, 2010).

The three levels of corporate culture are artifacts, espoused values, and underlying assumptions. Artifacts include visible elements like dress code, office layout, and branding, encountered through daily interactions. Espoused values encompass stated principles and strategies, such as customer orientation or sustainability goals, which guide organizational actions. Underlying assumptions are deeply embedded beliefs about how the world works, influencing core policies unconsciously, like trust in employee competence or innovation. In my future career, I might observe artifacts in office design, espoused values in mission statements, and underlying assumptions in management philosophies, which collectively shape organizational climate and employee behavior (Schein, 2010).

Recognizing the levels of corporate culture can foster greater organizational coherence and adaptability. When leaders and employees understand and align with these cultural layers, workplace harmony improves, leading to increased productivity and morale. It promotes cultural awareness and helps navigate change effectively, ensuring organizational resilience and cohesion (Martin, 2002).

Two types of corporate culture are clan culture and market culture. Clan culture emphasizes a family-like environment, values collaboration, and employee development, fostering loyalty. Market culture focuses on competitiveness, productivity, and achieving tangible results, often driven by performance metrics. These cultures differ mainly in their focus—one on hierarchy and employee well-being, the other on results and external success—affecting management style and employee motivation (Cameron & Quinn, 2011).

References

• Blumer, H. (1969). Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method. University of California Press.
• Cameron, K. S., & Quinn, R. E. (2011). Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture: Based on the Competing Values Framework. Jossey-Bass.
• Calhoun, C. (2010). Classical Sociological Theory. Oxford University Press.
• Durkheim, É. (1895). The Rules of Sociological Method. Free Press.
• Henslin, J. M. (2017). Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach. Pearson.
• Kroeber, A. L., & Kluckhohn, C. (1952). Culture: A critical review of concepts and definitions. Papers of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 47(1), 1-28.
• Martin, J. (2002). Organizational Culture: Mapping the Terrain. Sage Publications.
• Mills, C. W. (1959). The Sociological Imagination. Oxford University Press.
• Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational Culture and Leadership. Jossey-Bass.
• Marx, K. (1867). Das Kapital. Verlag von Otto Meissner.