Sociology 211
Social Problems
Spring 2003
Dr. Scott Schaffer

Weeks 6-8 Discussion Questions – Common Sense Critiques of Consumerism (Commodify Your Dissent)

Due Dates: We are moving into more of a discussion-oriented format. You should prepare responses to these questions for each of the readings for each class meeting.

1. What is the essential set of claims made in this reading or set of readings? Do you see this set of claims verified or invalidated in your own experiences as a consumer?

2. By what mechanism does the author claim this particular social phenomenon occurs? Who are the main players or social actors in this situation? Is this action cyclical, or a one-time action? What causes this action to recur?

3. Develop a “social problem to sociological problem” analysis of this problem, given the information provided in the appropriate readings. What is being prioritized in the solving of this sociological problem? How is that priority reflected in any solution to the social problem discussed in the reading?

4. Given the audience of this reading, do you think the article was successful in developing its main claims? How convinced are you of the validity of the author’s ideas? What could be done to further convince you of this validity?

5. Given what you’ve read so far, how might you adapt or change your consumer behavior? What kinds of impacts do you think that change might have on the consumerist social order?