Sociology 219:  Institutional Theories:  Cultural and Phenomenological Approaches

 

Winter 2009

 

Short Assignment #2:  Reading Questions

 

Due:  Start of class (9:00am) Monday February 9

 

Length:  Approx. 2.5 pages, double-spaced.

 

Answer one of the following questions:

 

  1. Contrast the Meyer/Jepperson (2000) conception of agency with that of some other perspective (either from the sociological literature or the naïve view that agency is ‘natural’ to all people).  What are some advantages and/or disadvantages of the Meyer/Jepperson view?  That is, what are empirical characteristics of people that can better be understood from one vantage point (or the other)?

 

  1. The Meyer/Jepperson (2000) article discusses rationalized “others” (who engage in “othering”).  What are they talking about?  What is an “other” and what is it about modern society that creates them?  Give some examples (beyond those discussed in the paper). 

 

  1. The Meyer 2008 review ends with a short discussion of some criticisms of the perspective – recommendations from “realist” scholars.  Each is dismissed.  What are the recommendations?  Why does Meyer think it would be bad to follow the recommendations of realists.  Elaborate.