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Power and Inequality in Society, Assignments of Contemporary History

The ways power is used in society, including its role in maintaining peace, organizing community enterprises, and conducting warfare. It also delves into the concept of multiculturalism, its benefits and challenges, and the impact of income inequality on social cohesion and progress. The document encourages critical thinking and personal reflection on these topics.

Typology: Assignments

2023/2024

Available from 06/07/2024

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Module 3 Worksheet Assignment –
This file is the intellectual property of Dr. Patricia Knol. It is protected by copyright law and
may not be shared, uploaded, or distributed.
Directions: Type the answer to the questions in the spaces provided. Use correct grammar and
spelling. Worksheets that contain repeated basic spelling or grammar errors may be marked
down by up to 5 points. The only source that should be used when filling out this worksheet
is your textbook – NOT the internet, another textbook, or any other source. The text
should always be the basis of your answer unless the question specifically asks for your own
experience or opinion. Any plagiarism of any kind in any answer will result in a score of 0 on
the entire assignment.
Chapter 4
What are the four ways power is used in society?
1.
To maintain peace, order, and stability within the society
2.
To organize and direct community enterprises
3.
To conduct warfare, both defensive and aggressive, against other societies
4.
To rule and exploit subject peoples
5. What is culture? What is multiculturalism? What does multiculturalism involve? (Give an
example from the text.)
Culture is people’s learned and shared behaviors and beliefs or the ways of life that are
common to a society.
Multiculturalism refers to acknowledging, protecting, and promoting multiple cultures and
subcultures
Multiculturalism involves protecting and celebrating cultural diversity— for example,
Spanish-language usage, African American history, and Native American heritage.
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Module 3 Worksheet Assignment – This file is the intellectual property of Dr. Patricia Knol. It is protected by copyright law and may not be shared, uploaded, or distributed. Directions: Type the answer to the questions in the spaces provided. Use correct grammar and spelling. Worksheets that contain repeated basic spelling or grammar errors may be marked down by up to 5 points. The only source that should be used when filling out this worksheet is your textbook – NOT the internet, another textbook, or any other source. The text should always be the basis of your answer unless the question specifically asks for your own experience or opinion. Any plagiarism of any kind in any answer will result in a score of 0 on the entire assignment. Chapter 4 What are the four ways power is used in society?

To maintain peace, order, and stability within the society

To organize and direct community enterprises

To conduct warfare, both defensive and aggressive, against other societies

To rule and exploit subject peoples

  1. What is culture? What is multiculturalism? What does multiculturalism involve? (Give an example from the text.) Culture is people’s learned and shared behaviors and beliefs or the ways of life that are common to a society. Multiculturalism refers to acknowledging, protecting, and promoting multiple cultures and subcultures Multiculturalism involves protecting and celebrating cultural diversity— for example, Spanish-language usage, African American history, and Native American heritage.
  1. After reading the entire section on multiculturalism (pros and possible cons), what is your opinion on the concept? Reference the pros and cons the text gives as well as your own thoughts in your answer. In my opinion, a balanced approach is key. Multiculturalism should be embraced as a means to celebrate diversity and promote understanding, but it should not be pursued at the expense of a shared cultural identity. A society can benefit from cultural diversity while still upholding unifying values and symbols that bring its citizens together. The challenge lies in finding a harmonious balance that allows for the coexistence of multiple cultures within a larger, cohesive societal framework. Ultimately, the success of multiculturalism depends on thoughtful policies and a commitment to inclusivity and unity. Your text discusses seven components of culture. The next six questions will be about these components.
  2. What is an example of a symbol not given in the text? What does it stand for/how does it work as a symbol? A symbol not mentioned in the text is the "peace sign," which consists of a circle with three lines extending from the center, forming a shape resembling a combination of the letters "N" and "D." It is widely recognized as a symbol of peace and non-violence. Originating in the 1950s, it represented nuclear disarmament and opposition to war, particularly during the Cold War. Over time, it became universally associated with peace, transcending language and cultural barriers. People use the peace sign in various contexts, such as protests and artwork, to convey their commitment to peaceful coexistence and resolving conflicts non-violently, making it a powerful and enduring symbol.
  3. What are ALL the things that have changed beliefs in US society? (Don’t list what beliefs changed, list the things that changed them.) The change in widespread beliefs came about partly because of the increased presence of a common media, but some changes also came about because of a change in values brought about by scientific research and the civil rights, women’s rights, and gay rights movements.
  4. Name one value you agree with and one value you do not in US society today, according to the text’s definition of value. (Please do NOT say nepotism for either.) Why do you agree/disagree? Individual freedom: I agree with individual freedom because it empowers people to express themselves and pursue their goals. Excessive consumerism: I disagree with excessive consumerism because it can lead to overconsumption and harm the environment, prioritizing material possessions over more meaningful values.
  1. What is cultural relativity? What might be one problem in trying to apply that idea to other cultures? Cultural relativity is the practice of suspending judgment to understand other cultures within their own context. However, one problem with applying this idea is that it can lead to moral dilemmas. While it's essential to appreciate cultural practices in their own setting, some customs may conflict with universal human rights or ethical values. For instance, understanding the preference for sons in a culture should not justify practices like female infanticide or sex-selective abortions. Balancing cultural relativity with ethical concerns can be challenging for scholars and students when evaluating practices that may serve a functional purpose within a culture but raise moral questions in a broader context.
  2. While various theories of male dominance may be arguable, what are their shortcomings? Name one given in the text. (NOTE: You are not stating why the practice of male dominance has shortcomings, you are stating why theories of male dominance have shortcomings.) One of the shortcomings of theories of male dominance is that they do not explain why the status of women varies so much from one society to another. While these theories offer explanations for male dominance within certain cultural contexts, they fail to provide a comprehensive and universally applicable explanation for the diverse roles and status of women observed across different societies.
  3. What is a political system? What political system has the least organized and centralized power? Which has the most? In which type of system are you likely to find greater coercion and the use of force? A political system refers to how power is structured and distributed in a society. Least Centralized Power: Family and Kinship Groups have the least organized power. In these societies, power is tied to family bonds, and there are no distinct leaders beyond individual families. Most Centralized Power: States have the most centralized power. They are permanent, centralized organizations with well-defined territories and authority to establish and enforce rules. States often have large populations, economic surpluses, organized military forces, and centralized governance. Greater Coercion and Use of Force: States are more likely to use coercion and force to maintain order. They have organized military and legal institutions, allowing them to exert control and use force when necessary.

Chapter 5

  1. What is involved in the stratification of society? What is stratification the source of? What is stratification based on in modern industrial society? The stratification of society involves the classification of individuals and the ranking of classifications on a superiority–inferiority scale. This system of classification and ranking is itself a source of prestige, wealth, income, authority, and power. Stratification in a modern industrial society is based on the various roles that individuals play in the economic system.
  2. What are three different things those on the top of a classification system receive? The top strata will receive the deference of individuals who are ranked below them. Deference may take many forms: acquiescence in the material advantages or privileges of the elite (the use of titles and symbols of rank, distinctive clothing, housing, and automobiles), accordance of influence and respect, acceptance of leadership in decision making, and so on.
  3. What has been the trend in income inequality and wealth inequality in the US in recent decades? In recent decades in the United States, income and wealth inequality have witnessed a significant upward trend. Income inequality has grown notably, with the lowest income group seeing its share decline from 5.4 percent in 1970 to 3.8 percent in 2013, while the highest income group's share increased from nearly 41 percent to almost 50 percent during the same period. Wealth inequality is even more pronounced, as the top 1 percent of families now possess almost 40 percent of all family wealth. While wealth inequality appeared to diminish until the mid-1970s, recent years have seen a sharp surge in disparities, raising concerns among experts and advocates.
  4. In what way(s) do you think equality of opportunity may NOT be present in the US today? Equality of opportunity in the US may not be fully present today due to disparities in access to quality education, healthcare, and economic resources. Children born into disadvantaged communities often have fewer educational opportunities, which can limit their ability to develop their talents and skills. Additionally, healthcare disparities can affect one's ability to pursue opportunities, as individuals without access to adequate healthcare may face health- related obstacles. Furthermore, economic inequalities can create barriers for those who lack financial resources to invest in their future. These disparities can hinder individuals from reaching the same starting line in life and achieving success solely based on their abilities and hard work.