Brief Summary
This YouTube video is a revision workshop for CAPE Sociology Unit 2, addressing key areas such as population, crime, poverty, and development. Dr. Orville Beckford provides sociological perspectives, theories, and Caribbean-specific examples to prepare students for their multiple-choice exams. The session includes interactive elements with questions and answers, offering a comprehensive review of the syllabus.
- Population theories (Malthusian, Marxist, Demographic Transition Model)
- Urbanization and its impacts
- Sociological perspectives on crime (Functionalism, Strain Theory)
- Development theories (World System Theory, Industrialization by Invitation)
- Social and economic indicators of development
Introduction
Marge Bolero Horton introduces the revision workshop for CAPE Sociology Unit 2, acknowledging the disruptions caused by COVID-19. She announces the extension of the application period for UWI Mona campus programs, excluding most Faculty of Medical Sciences programs, with physiology still available. Tuition fees remain the same as the previous academic year. Participants from outside Jamaica are encouraged to share their name and country in the chat. Dr. Orville Beckford, lecturer in Sociology, Psychology, and Social Work, will facilitate the workshop and answer questions.
General Exam Expectations
Dr. Beckford welcomes the students and emphasizes that Unit 2 is more challenging than Unit 1, but knowledge from Unit 1 is essential. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions, requiring a thorough understanding of definitions and concepts across the entire syllabus. He advises students to have their CAPE Sociology syllabus readily available and to ensure they have covered all areas. The presentation and a practice MCQ paper will be provided to aid in exam preparation.
Sociological Perspective on Population
The lecture begins with the sociological perspective on population, linking it to Unit 1's sociological theories. Malthusian theory focuses on population growth being determined by birth rate, death rate, and birth control. Malthus argued that food supply increases arithmetically while population grows geometrically, leading to famine and social issues. Population control can be achieved through natural disasters or family planning policies.
Marxist and Neo-Marxist Perspectives on Population
Marxist theory criticizes Malthus for ignoring social relationships and the changing dynamics between workers and capitalists. Marxists argue that capitalism perpetuates poverty, influencing fertility. Neo-Marxists advocate for population control through planned parenthood and are concerned about large-scale destruction and environmental crises from overpopulation. They believe reducing population growth can solve issues like pollution and unemployment, a view Dr. Beckford considers reductionist.
Demographic Transition Model
The demographic transition model, originally developed for Europe, includes four stages: high stationary (high birth and death rates), early expanding (decline in death rate, high population growth), late expanding (birth and death rates decline, slower population growth), and low stationary (low birth and death rates, stable population). Dr. Beckford relates each stage to the Caribbean context, particularly during slavery, where families were discouraged, leading to low birth rates and high death rates.
Urbanization: Positive and Negative Impacts
Urbanization involves the increase in urban areas due to migration from rural areas in search of work. In Jamaica, ex-slaves migrated to Kingston after emancipation. Urbanization has positives like centralization of economic activities and cultural melting pots, but also negatives like urban drift, overpopulation, slums, and strain on social amenities. The lack of opportunities in rural areas leads to a brain drain, leaving these areas bereft of talent.
Sociological Perspectives on Crime: Functionalism
The lecture transitions to crime, applying sociological theories from Unit 1. Functionalism views crime as inevitable and even functional, serving as a warning device and providing employment for police and security personnel. Albert Cohen blames the socialization of lower-class males into subcultures for their lack of access to mainstream cultural goals. Robert K. Merton's strain theory suggests lower-class individuals commit crime because they are not properly socialized and cannot achieve collective goals through legitimate means.
Robert K. Merton's Strain Theory: Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism, and Rebellion
Merton's strain theory outlines five adaptations to societal goals and means: conformity (accepting both), innovation (accepting goals, rejecting means), ritualism (rejecting goals, accepting means), retreatism (rejecting both goals and means), and rebellion (rejecting existing goals and means, substituting new ones). Dr. Beckford provides personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate each adaptation, highlighting how individuals respond to societal pressures and opportunities.
Development Theories: World System Theory
The lecture shifts to poverty and development, emphasizing that development focuses on the people. Indicators of development include social and economic factors, with GDP being a key but insufficient measure. Sustainable development involves ensuring current development can be sustained for future generations. World System Theory, by Immanuel Wallerstein and Andre Gunder Frank, explains how core countries exploit peripheral countries through the global economic system.
Development Theories: Industrialization by Invitation and Culture of Poverty
Sir Arthur Lewis's industrialization by invitation theory suggests developing countries invite foreign direct investors to fill the investment gap caused by a lack of savings. Oscar Lewis's culture of poverty theory argues that the culture of poverty predisposes poor people to continued poverty. Herbert Gans suggests poverty survives because it is useful to society, providing individuals to do essential, inferior jobs. Karl Marx views poverty as a byproduct of exploitation in capitalist societies.
Indicators of Development: Interactive Session
Dr. Beckford engages the students in an interactive session, asking them to define indicators of development such as GDP, GNP, per capita income, cost of living, Gini coefficient, and Balance of Payments (BoP). Students who provide correct definitions are rewarded with phone cards. The session clarifies the meaning and significance of each indicator in assessing a country's development.
Social Indicators of Development: Health and Education
The lecture continues with social indicators of development, including health (life expectancy, infant mortality) and education (literacy, Gender Development Index, Human Development Index). Dr. Beckford explains the importance of each indicator and their implications for a country's overall development. He also discusses the challenges and progress in areas such as HIV/AIDS, non-communicable diseases, and mental health in the Caribbean.
Social Indicators of Development: Obesity and Mental Health
The discussion covers obesity, highlighting the role of international fast-food chains and the expense of healthy eating. Mental health is addressed as an increasingly important issue in the Caribbean, often stigmatized and linked to religious beliefs or obeah. The session emphasizes the need for greater awareness, resources, and appropriate medical treatment for mental health issues.
Social Indicators of Development: Environment and Major Caribbean Social Issues
The lecture addresses environmental factors, particularly climate change and deforestation, and their effects on the Caribbean. Major Caribbean social issues are discussed, including historical factors like slavery and colonialism, economic organizations, social structures, socialization, culture, and politics. The session concludes with a brief discussion on measures to address Caribbean social issues, both short-term and long-term.
Conclusion and Closing Remarks
Dr. Beckford thanks the students for their participation and encourages them to continue studying and communicating with their peers. He wishes them the best in their examinations and invites them to attend UWI. Marge Bolero and another speaker express their gratitude to Dr. Beckford for facilitating the workshop and encourage students to apply to UWI, highlighting its top ranking and diverse program offerings.
