Classical Sociological Theory II

Question 1

What is symbolic interactionism?

Answer 1

A perspective asserting that people and societies are defined and created through the interactions of individuals.

Question 2

What are the four main feminist theories?

Answer 2

1. Liberal Feminism
2. Eco-Feminism
3. Socialist Feminism
4. Radical Feminism

Question 3

What is liberal feminism?

Answer 3

Focus on women’s inequality within the structures of a liberal democratic capitalist/industrial society. They want to see more women in positions of power and authority (e.g., white collar professionals, executives, etc. They want women to be better represented in various institutions in society.

Question 4

What is Eco-feminism?

Answer 4

An attempt to link environmentalism and feminist thought. Male domination and environmental destruction go hand in hand. Women have traditionally been socialized into nurturing and caring roles, so they may be better caretakers of the environment.

Question 5

What is socialist feminism?

Answer 5

Tries to establish a link between capitalism and male domination. Class inequality is linked with male domination. The competitiveness, aggressiveness, and mens baser instincts contribute to domination. A more collective, cooperative, and less hierarchical structure would be more inclusive and give women a better opportunity.

Question 6

What is post-structuralist theory?

Answer 6

Scientific knowledge, or any knowledge that seeks “truth” cannot exist without power relations. Post-structuralists are concerns with how knowledge is socially produced.

Question 7

What is critical race theory?

Answer 7

An interdisciplinary approach used to investigate the intersections of race, class, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality to explain prejudice and discrimination. E.g., Racism in North America

Question 8

What is queer theory?

Answer 8

A set of ideas based around the idea that identities are not fixed and do not determine who we are. Focuses on:

1. Desire - the ways in which people express their desires
2. Language - how we describe people, sexual orientation, labels and names, and how language indicates our acceptance or rejection of people who are different.
3. Identity - identity is constructed through social relations and how we label/identify each other (e.g., geek, straight, white, etc).