In the introductory lesson, you learned about three major traditions in sociological theory (Structural-Functionalism, Symbolic Interactionism, and Conflict Theory) and how they apply to the study of social problems.
Identify any social problem and do the following:
Analyze the problem using the criteria in the first chapter of your textbook. Explain what makes the problem you’ve identified a “social problem” as defined within sociology. Why does it qualify?
Choose one of the major sociological theories and apply it to the problem you’ve chosen. How might a sociologist within that tradition understand the problem? How do you think that theory could help explain or provide insight into the problem?
