SSC 101 Intro to the Social Sciences Dr. Dorothy D. Wills
Fall Quarter, 2005 Cal Poly Pomona
Final Exam
Answer any seven of the following questions in a few sentences or paragraphs, if necessary. Then answer Questions 9 and 10. You will have a total of nine answers. This is an open-book, open-note test.
1. You have read the Philip K. Dick stories "Exhibit Piece" and "Second Variety" for this quiz. In these stories, he portrays two very different futures. In each one, however, there is a theme about conflict or war. Based on the stories, what does Philip K. Dick think about war?
2. The film on global warming and class discussion of global problems illustrate the importance of climate change to society today. What facts make this an urgent issue, despite the long-term nature of climate phenomena? What fears do you and/or your neighbors have in connection with this problem?
3. Childhood and adolescence are among the most significant periods of life, according to many social scientists. Discuss the different approaches or findings of Skinner, Freud, McClintock & Herdt, and Schroder regarding the nature of these parts of the life cycle.
4. What does it mean to say that human beings are diverse as individuals and as groups? that they are variable through the life cycle? that they are variable across time and space? Give some examples of this variation from the reading or class discussion.
5. What does the critical period hypothesis refer to, and what do the cases of Anna, Isabelle, Genie, Victor, and other 'wild children' demonstrate about it, if anything?
6. Philip K. Dick's stories are rich in sociology, psychology, and anthropology, because they deal with the same questions posed by these disciplines. They are also full of plot, action, and interesting characters. This is presumably why so many of them have been made into films. Do you think "Exhibit Piece" and "Second Variety" would be good science fiction films? If so, what are their social science and literary elements that would translate into good cinema?
7. Could one carry out a functional analysis of rich people (the uses of wealth) similar to what Herbert Gans has done in his article on "The Uses of Poverty"? If so, what might be some of the functions? If not, why not?
8. Globalization is affecting all of us, whether we like it or not. Some refer to it pejoratively as "McDonaldization"; some believe that it is the answer to all social problems. Discuss the social science analysis of globalization that has been mentioned in your text.
9. Imagine you are a junior high social studies teacher. Develop a brief syllabus for a three-week unit on the social sciences, including an outline of topics, assignments, exercises, and anything else you think the students would learn from.
10. Reflect upon your life so far from the standpoint of a social scientist. What are your sociological, economic, political, psychological, linguistic, etc., characteristics? How would you be analyzed in terms of social interaction and social structure?
Good luck! If you want me to email your grade, let me know on or after 12/13. I hope to see you next quarter.