Sociology 303
Sociological Theory
Spring 2003
Dr. Scott SchafferSecond Oral Examination – Weds Apr 23 and Thurs Apr 24/2003
Guidelines: The four questions below are the questions on which you’ll be examined. The examination will be conducted individually, and you will be asked two questions from those listed below. After your response, I will ask you another question to which you should respond. Each response you develop should be no longer than five minutes, and the exam should take a total of fifteen minutes.
You will be allowed one (1) 4” x 6” note card for each question (so four in total), and can write anything you like on them; these will be collected after the exam. In developing your response, be sure that you utilize evidence provided in the Weber and Warburton books including page and paragraph numbers for the evidence you use.
Your responses will be evaluated on the basis of the following elements: the strength and clarity of the response to the question; the use of evidence in supporting that response and the explanation of how that evidence supports your response; and the accuracy of your reading of the evidence. The ability to respond to commentary and/or questions will also be evaluated in terms of its accuracy, clarity, and the directness of the response. The reverse side of this sheet includes the evaluation form I will use to compute your oral exam grade.
The questions: Be sure to develop clear and direct responses to each of these questions, including evidence taken directly from the texts covered so far in the semester. In developing your response to these questions, be sure that you fully and completely develop the criteria by which you would evaluate the concept you’re discussing, and ensure that you have page citations present and show how they support your claims. Also, be sure to evaluate your responses for potential comments, criticisms or questions.
1. To what extent do you see positive freedom playing a part in (a) Marx’s analysis of the capitalist social order, and (b) Marx’s claims about the principles guiding a socialist society?
2. To what extent do you see negative liberty playing a part in (a) Marx’s analysis of the capitalist social order, and (b) Marx’s claims about the principles guiding a socialist society?
3. What conception of justice do you see each author holding to, and how would they evaluate something as meeting that conception of justice?
4. What conception of justice do you hold to, and how would you evaluate something as meeting that conception of justice?