Sociology 211
Social Problems
Fall 2002
Dr. Scott SchafferWeek 9 to Week 11 Discussion Questions: Fundamentalisms (Jerusalem Calling)
1. Identify the following aspects of the fundamentalisms under discussion by Schalit:
- How fundamentalisms operate (i.e., their bases, how they motivate particular kinds of social action)
- The kinds of social actions prescribed and prohibited by these fundamentalisms
- The sociological problem behind fundamentalisms (may vary depending on the kind of fundamentalism you're discussing)
- The social priorities represented by each form of fundamentalism
- How fundamentalisms serve as social problems
2. Schalit identifies fundamentalisms as particular kinds of ideologies that have as a goal the creation of a particular kind of social order. For each of the fundamentalisms he discusses, identify the nature of the social order these fundamentalisms wish to bring about, as well as the ways in which they work to bring them about. Compare these desired social orders to the current social order (as you understand it). Which would you rather see in existence, and why?
3. Compare the ways in which each of these fundamentalisms operate. What possibilities do you see for the intersection of these fundamentalisms – in other words, do you see how some of them can overlap in a society? What kinds of conflicts do you see appearing between these fundamentalisms?
4. Given your responses to question 1 above, what do you think the particular experiences of people within these kinds of fundamentalisms would be? To what extent do you think these would be beneficial or detrimental ways of life, and by what criteria would you make that evaluation?
5. Given the discussion of fundamentalisms presented by Schalit, what do you think he would have you do about them – in other words, how would he have you "fix" the social problem of fundamentalisms? Outline this solution in terms of the different levels of analysis (macro, meso, micro), as well as the extent to which you think it would be effective.
6. Combine what Schalit says in this set of readings with Meyer's discussion of fundamentalism and the need for identity. How do you see these two arguments working together? In tension with one another?
7. Highlight the ways in which Schalit's work could address the issues raised in the paper project. To what extent do you think Schalit provides you with the basis for developing solutions to the social problems he addresses?