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Questions and Answers
What is the nature and function of social institutions?
What is the nature and function of social institutions?
The nature and function of social institutions involve understanding their roles and significance within different societies.
Match the following concepts with their definitions:
Match the following concepts with their definitions:
Functionalist perspective = Focuses on the positive functions of social institutions Conflict perspective = Emphasizes social inequality and power dynamics Kinship = A system determining social organization and relationships Descent groups = Communities that trace ancestry through lineage
Kinship systems are irrelevant to understanding traditional societies.
Kinship systems are irrelevant to understanding traditional societies.
False
Which of the following statements about descent systems is true?
Which of the following statements about descent systems is true?
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What determines inheritance and succession in traditional societies?
What determines inheritance and succession in traditional societies?
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Which text is recommended for SOCI 222?
Which text is recommended for SOCI 222?
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Study Notes
Course Overview
- Course Title: Comparative Social Institutions (SOCI 222)
- Instructor: Dr. Solomon Kofi Amoah
- Academic Year: 2022/2023
- Focus on nature and function of social institutions in various societies.
- Comparative study includes historical and geographical perspectives.
Key Topics
- Nature and function of social institutions.
- Kinship, descent, and descent groups.
- Patrilineal and matrilineal descent systems.
- Double-unilineal and bilateral descent systems.
- Marriage and family institutions.
- Political systems and organization in centralized and non-centralized societies.
- Maintenance of law and order.
- Social change dynamics.
Recommended Reading
- Nukunya, G.K. (2021). Tradition and Change in Ghana: An Introduction to Sociology.
Week-by-Week Breakdown
- Week Two: Examination of social institutions and theoretical perspectives, including functionalist and conflict theories.
- Week Three: Importance of kinship in traditional societies, affecting residential patterns, inheritance, and succession.
- Week Four: Overview of patrilineal and matrilineal descent systems, exploring membership, inheritance, succession, and residence in uni-linear descent systems.
Theoretical Perspectives
- Functionalist Perspective: Focuses on how social institutions meet societal needs and maintain stability.
- Conflict Perspective: Examines how social institutions perpetuate inequality and power struggles.
Descent Systems
- Unilineal Descent: Only one lineage (male or female) is recognized.
- Double-Unilineal Descent: Recognition of both paternal and maternal lines for tracing descent.
- Bilateral Descent: Recognition of both maternal and paternal lines equally.
Importance of Kinship
- Fundamental for understanding traditional societies.
- Influences various aspects of social organization, such as inheritance rules and community structures.
Social Change
- Exploration of how social institutions adapt to changes over time, addressing new societal needs and challenges.
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Description
This quiz covers key concepts from the course Comparative Social Institutions (SOCI 222), taught by Dr. Solomon Kofi Amoah. It examines the nature and functions of various social institutions, including kinship systems, marriage, family, and political organizations across different societies. Additionally, it explores theoretical perspectives such as functionalism and conflict theory.
