A. Television:
* Functionalism: Functionalism focuses on how social structures contribute to the stability of society. Questions might include:
* How does television contribute to social cohesion by sharing common cultural values and narratives?
* What are the manifest (intended) and latent (unintended) functions of television entertainment? (e.g., manifest: entertainment; latent: reinforcing stereotypes, promoting consumerism)
* How does television fulfill the needs for information, education, and socialization in society?
* What role does television play in political socialization and the formation of public opinion?
* Conflict Theory: Conflict theory examines how power inequalities shape social interactions and institutions. Questions might include:
* How does television ownership and control reflect and reinforce existing power structures (e.g., media conglomerates)?
* How does television perpetuate inequalities based on race, gender, class, or sexual orientation through its representations?
* How does advertising on television contribute to the commodification of culture and the creation of consumer needs?
* How does television's portrayal of violence contribute to social inequalities and the acceptance of violence as a solution to conflict?
* Symbolic Interactionism: Symbolic interactionism focuses on micro-level interactions and the meaning individuals create through their interactions. Questions might include:
* How do individuals use television to construct their identities and social relationships?
* What are the shared meanings associated with specific television programs or genres?
* How do individuals interpret and negotiate the messages they receive from television?
* How does television viewing shape family interactions and communication patterns?
B. War:
* Functionalism:
* How does war contribute to social integration and national unity?
* What are the manifest and latent functions of war for a society (e.g., economic growth, technological advancement, social change)?
* How does war reinforce social norms and values?
* How do institutions adapt to the demands of war?
* Conflict Theory:
* How does war serve the interests of powerful groups (e.g., military-industrial complex)?
* How does war exacerbate existing social inequalities (e.g., class, race, gender)?
* How does war contribute to the concentration of power in the hands of the state?
* How are resources diverted from social programs during wartime?
* Symbolic Interactionism:
* How do soldiers construct meaning from their experiences in war?
* How do individuals and groups create and negotiate shared understandings of war and its consequences?
* How does the language used to describe war shape public perception?
* What are the effects of war trauma on individuals' identities and relationships?
C. Colleges and Universities:
* Functionalism:
* How do colleges and universities contribute to social stability by educating and training the workforce?
* What are the manifest and latent functions of higher education (e.g., knowledge transmission, social mobility, social networking)?
* How do colleges and universities contribute to social reproduction (passing on social inequality) or social change?
* How do different departments within a university contribute to the overall functioning of the institution?
* Conflict Theory:
* How does the structure of higher education reinforce social inequalities based on class, race, and gender?
* How does the cost of college contribute to social stratification?
* How do power dynamics between administrators, faculty, and students shape the college experience?
* How do universities serve the interests of powerful groups (e.g., corporations, the government)?
* Symbolic Interactionism:
* How do students construct their identities and social relationships within the college environment?
* What are the shared meanings associated with different aspects of college life (e.g., campus culture, academic achievement, social groups)?
* How do students and professors negotiate meaning in classrooms?
* How do college experiences shape individuals' sense of self and future aspirations?
These questions provide a starting point for sociological inquiry using different theoretical perspectives. Remember that real-world social phenomena are often complex and may be best understood by integrating insights from multiple theoretical approaches.