Discussion Question: The Sociological Perspective

  

In this first chapter, we cover many important terms and ideas explaining the basic structure of Sociology. Sociology concerns itself with the structure and change of society, Sociology is a space where the personal becomes the social. Sociology helps us to understand how and why the individual is affected by society. Sociology helps us understand how some groups thrive while others suffer. We will see these ideas fleshed out in the coming weeks as we begin to focus on various sociological theories. For now, please read the following article

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/14/us/teenagers-sentence-in-fatal-drunken-driving-case-stirs-affluenza-debate.html?_r=0 (Links to an external site.)

This article does a great job highlighting several concepts we will be exploring in the coming weeks including class, privilege, race, and inequality. Using what was discussed in chapter 1, identify how at least two of the approaches found on pages 16-22 might apply to this case and what you believe the Manifest and Latent functions (page 17) of the judge’s decision might be.