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CORE ASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS DATA ANALYSIS ASSIGMENT
The Data Analysis Assignment is intended to engage students by asking them to reflect on the relationship between institutional arrangements in their lives, and: 1. institutional actions and events across multiple levels of activity; 2. cross-cultural institutional forms; and 3. institutional change over time. However, in accomplishing that task students are asked to analyze and develop conclusions about the theories and concepts regarding institutional arrangements introduced to them through the readings, lectures, and ongoing class discussions for the week.
Learning Objectives Supported:
- Describe the major social institutions found in most societies.
- Analyze the social and individual functions and dysfunctions of each institutional form.
- Explain the interactions of social institutions at the regional, national, and international levels.
- Apply influential institutional theories and concepts to specific cases.
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of different institutional solutions to social problems.
- Explain how social institutions shape individuals and their life chances.
Directions:
Students must choose one of the institutions discussed in this course as their essay focus. The essay must address the following issues:
- How has the American form of this institution developed since World War II?
- Compare the American form of this institution to its expression in two other countries.
- Discuss how this institution positively and negatively affects individuals. How might individuals work to change it for the better?
- Apply one institutional theory in an extended critical analysis to more clearly understand the workings of this institution.
- Evaluate how this institution is adapting to pressures from globalization or changes in other institutions.
Your essay should incorporate the results of several sources of original sociological research, provide clear and well-developed examples for each of your major points, and critically evaluate the effects of this institution in the Information Age.
1. The essay has to include all information that I have attached and should have at least 2500 words not including the references and title page.
2
. One of the References has to the textbook below
Skolnick, J. H., & Currie, E. (2007). Crisis In American Institutions (14th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
1
Data Analysis
Assignment
Student A
Social Institutions
Patrick McGinty
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 3
MILITARY DEVELOPMENT AS AN INSTITUTION SINCE WWII………………pgs. 3-5
U.S. vs. EVERYONE ELSE………………………………………………………………pgs. 5-7
POSITIVEs & NEGATIVES OF THE U.S. MILITARY………………………………pgs. 8-9
INSTITUTIONAL THEORY……………………………………………………………….pg. 9
ADAPTING TO THE PRESSURES OF OTHER COUNTRIES……………………….pg. 10
CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………………..pg. 10
WORKS CITED……………………………………………………………………………pg. 11
3
ABSTRACT:
What is a social institution? A social institution is a complex, integrated set of social
norms organized around the preservation of a basic societal value. “Sociologists often reserve
the term “institution” to describe normative systems that operate in five basic areas of life, which
may be designated as the primary institutions. (1) In determining Kinship; (2) in providing for
the legitimate use of power; (3) in regulating the distribution of goods and services; (4) in
transmitting knowledge from one generation to the next; and (5) in regulating our relation to the
supernatural. In shorthand form, or as concepts, these five basic institutions are called the
family, government, economy, education and religion.” (Sociology Guide, 2011)
The U.S. Military has and always will be a powerhouse in the world and a strong social
institution. In saying this, our military is like no other in this world. Historically, the U.S. Army
came into being on 14 June 1775. Later that same year, the U.S. Marine Core and Navy were
formed. In 1790, the Coast Guard was formed. The last service to join the Department of
Defense was the U.S. Air Force in 1947. These five military organizations compile the defense
mechanisms for the United States and its citizens.
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MILITARY DEVELOPMENT AS AN INSTITUTION SINCE WWII:
The military is a social institution that has been around in one way, shape or form for
many generations. World War II was the last war fought in which the President asked
Congress for a declaration of war. Furthermore, it changed the way the military viewed war
and war capabilities.
WWII made the military realize that in order to be the powerhouse in the world, many
things were going to have to be re-structured and changed. Many of these changes have
made us the country in which we are today. In further paragraphs I am going to talk about a
few of them.
“World War II marked the end of an era in the military history of the world. After
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, all nations would live under the shadow of atomic power, with its
potential destructiveness multiplied enormously by the development of the hydrogen and
thermonuclear bombs. The appearance of the nuclear weaponry stimulated the search for a
new military philosophy and brought a whole meaning to deterrence.” (Coakley &
MacDonald, 2011)
In one way, shape or form, women in the military has always been present but not
always accepted. Although they were not able to enlist in the beginning they involved
themselves as nurses to aid wounded warriors. It was in WWII where women played the
strongest role in the military and were tasked to accomplish occupations that they were not
normally used to working. Some of which included, working in the war industries building
ships, aircraft, vehicles, and weaponry.
They also worked in factories, munitions plants and farms, and also drove trucks,
provided logistic support for soldiers and entered professional areas of work that were
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previously the preserve of men. Thousands of others joined defensive militias at home.
Women also performed many kinds of non-military service in organizations such as the
Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP), Office of Strategic Services (OSS), American Red
Cross, Cadet Nurse Corps, and the United Service Organizations (USO).
In 1947, The National Security Act was established. This act was enabled to meet the
need for a military reorganization. It combined and replaced the former Department of the
Navy and War Department with a single cabinet-level known as the “Department of
Defense.” The act also later created the National Security Council, the Central Intelligence
Agency, and the Air Force.
Although African Americans have participated in every major U.S. war, the battle for
integration and for recognition of the accomplishments of black soldiers has been a slow
process. It wasn’t until after World War II that the U.S. armed forces became integrated,
under a 1948 executive order by President Harry S. Truman. Truman’s decision to
desegregate the armed forces was the beginning of the many changes that took place in
American society that led to greater equality for all Americans. (ABC CLIO, 2011)
The Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958 is a United States federal law
which was created to provide for more effective administration for the Department of
Defense (DoD). The goal of this act was to streamline channels of authority in DoD, and still
maintain the authority of the Military Departments. It also transformed the decision-making
authority from the Military Departments to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of
Defense. It also strengthened the command channel of the military over U.S. forces from the
President to the Secretary of Defense. (Wikipedia, 2011)
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Another major development after WWII was the series of alliances that the United
States began to form. These alliances conformed, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO), which later became the centerpiece of American policy. This policy allowed the
U.S. to aid those countries in which they allied and vice versa. The Korean and Vietnam
wars allowed America to aid and conform those alliances.
U.S. vs. EVERYONE ELSE:
North Korea and Russia are two if the biggest enemies that the United States military
currently has. North Korea also known as the “Hermit Kingdom” is known for its communist
actions and its isolation of its people. “Besides being a brutal, authoritarian regime which has
left its population among the poorest and hungriest on the planet, the government of North Korea
has been openly belligerent toward the rest of the world. In order to get food (or merely to get
attention) North Korea will, at times, launch missile tests which fly over Japan or kick
international inspectors out of its nuclear power facilities.” (Porter, 2011)
Like the United States, the Koreans are well known for their nuclear weapons. Currently,
the North Koreans have more nuclear weapons than the United States. It has also been said that
the Koreans have ties with Al Qaeda and are possibly supplying them with weapons of mass
destruction against U.S. military forces. “North Korea is said to have installed heavy artillery all
along the border with South Korea. These guns are ready to rein destruction down on Seoul and
other South Korean cities. This capability and North Korea’s unpredictability, mean the United
States has to think twice before bombing North Korea’s nuclear facilities or taking any other
provocative action.” (Porter, 2011)
The North Korean military is currently ranked twentieth in the world. Korea currently
has five different military organizations, they are as follows: The Korean People’s Army Ground
7
Forces, The Korean People’s Naval Command, The Korean People’s Air and Air Defense
Command, Artillery Guidance Bureau and the North Korean Special Operations Force. Like the
U.S. military each has its own distinct function in the military structure. Korea has mandatory
military service of 21 months and those who do not abide except the consequences of
imprisonment.
“Through most the final half of the 20th Century, the United States and the Soviet Union
were the principal actors in an epic battle, referred to as a Cold War, for global domination. This
battle was, in the broadest sense, a struggle between communist and capitalist forms of economy
and social organization.” (Porter, The Relationship of the United States with Russia, 2011) Even
though Russia has now nominally adopted democratic and capitalist structures, the history of the
Cold War still hinder the U.S. and Russian relations today.
The Soviet Union mirrors the United States as being one of the first countries to develop
nuclear weapons. Currently, Russia’s military is currently ranked third in the world right below
the number one U.S. and number two China. Like the U.S., the Russian military is divided into
the following branches: the Russian Ground Forces, the Russian Navy, and the Russian Air
Force. There are also three independent arms of service: Strategic Missile Troops, Military Space
Forces, and the Russian Airborne Troops.
In Russia, a person can be conscripted at the age 18 – 27, i.e. a man can’t be drafted after
he turns twenty-seven. The Russian Federation has a mandatory 12 month draft, in order to not
be drafted the following circumstances need to be met: (1) Studying in a university or similar
place. All full-time students are free from conscription, but they can be drafted after they
graduate (or if they drop out). Graduated students serve one year as privates, but if they have a
military education, they have the option to serve two years as officers. Persons who continue
8
full-time postgraduate education, or have an academic degree (Candidate of Science, PhD, and
Doctor of Science) are not drafted. (2) Getting a medical certificate that shows that a person is
unfit for service. (3) Having more than two children. (Russian Federation, 2003)
The Russian Ground Forces are distributed among into four military districts: Western
Military District, Southern Military District, Central Military District, and the Eastern Military
District. Previously from 1992 to 2010, the Ground Forces were divided into six military
districts: Moscow, Leningrad, North Caucausian, Privolzhsk-Ural, Siberian and Far Eastern.
POSITIVEs & NEGATIVES OF THE U.S. MILITARY
The U.S. military can have a positive and negative effect on personnel. When personnel
decide to join the military it can be a scary and indecisive time. They are doing something new
that they have never done before. From personnel experience let me tell you that joining the
military was the best thing I ever did. It taught me discipline and teamwork. I didn’t have to
depend on anyone but myself and I was part of a family. Yes, of course basic training sucked, as
they all do, but, after that it is a piece of cake.
Basic training is there to teach the standards and codes of conduct in the military. The
instructors break you down just to turn around and build you back up. It also weeds out the good
people from the bad. After basic and technical training, your first duty station is where you will
find what the real military is about. Military members have numerous amounts of benefits that
normal Americans don’t have such as, one hundred percent health benefits, paid housing, tax
relief and retirement just to name a few.
Some of the negative effects of joining the military can be the constant deploying and
possibly even giving your own life for your country. Although dying for your country is a great
9
honor, some military members are not always willing to do so. Deploying is something that not
everyone wants to do, either due to leaving family and friends or just being scared they might not
come back. Another negative aspect is finding out your job is not what you thought it would be.
Like for me, when I initially joined the military, I was slotted for a completely different
job than what I got. I ended up being Security Forces. Little did I know what I was in for in the
coming years. When all other agencies were working Monday through Friday, 7-4, I was
working twelve to sixteen hour shifts three to six days a week depending on appointments and
exercises. The cop life is definitely not the best, but, like I said all jobs are not like that.
Not all personnel can conform to the military lifestyle. People don’t like the fact that
they are part of the military 24-7 and are the property of the government so anything that is done
wrong can not only be charged by civil law but military law as well. This is where a lot of
people fall into trouble because there previous lifestyles catch up them and they revert back to
their old ways.
INSTITUTIONAL THEORY:
The military and civilian lifestyles are part of two different worlds. There are many
differences between the military and civilian lifestyles, yet there are many similarities as well.
The issues at hand can range from pay, to health benefits, to politics and beliefs. The best benefit
of the military is the job security. A military member does not have to worry about getting fired.
In the civilian world, a job doesn’t guarantee a paycheck. However, a military member cannot
quit his job if he doesn’t like it, whereas a civilian is free to leave their job at will. (Wright, 2008)
For many soldiers and their families the lifestyle of the military is another world. Life on
a military post is uniform. The houses look alike, the people look and dress alike, and every day
is much the same as the one before. (Wright, 2008)
10
The social structure of the military consists of a chain of command. A chain of command
is you, you’re supervisor, your supervisor’s supervisor, and so on. In every problem and
situation you are required to follow your chain of command. Also being a part of the military
requires you to follow a direct set of rules, which guides you in your day to day operations.
The objective of any military is to protect its country and its citizens. The military acts as
a defense mechanism when anyone decides to attack it. Although the military
ADAPTING TO THE PRESSURES OF OTHER COUNTRIES:
Today the American Nation is fighting the War on Terrorism. In this war, adversaries are
not only foreign states but also extremists employing irregular means. These adversaries seek to
erode American power, influence, and resolve. They threaten the security of American society,
endangering its freedoms and way of life. This war is fueled by an ideology that promotes
intractable hatred of the democratic ideal, especially in its Western manifestations. (Department
of the Army, 2005)
In order to counter the challenges that face America and its military, the U.S. is
increasing its versatility and flexibility, pursuing iterative solutions, and developing a
sophisticated understanding of the new environment and its implications. Military forces are
committed to global requirements beyond those associated with the War on Terrorism. They are
operating to counter challenges ranging from the traditional to potentially catastrophic.
(Department of the Army, 2005)
11
Military forces deter potential adversaries, reassure allies and friends, and assist when
disaster strikes. The versatility of military forces and their readiness to deploy on short notice,
make them relevant throughout the range of military operations.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, the military engages in a struggle for its relative importance among
institutions, its survival, and the broad ability to shape itself to carry out its purposes. Although
this is not an easy task, the military as a whole works within one another to ensure it citizens are
safe each and every day. Military members and families sacrifice and do what they have to do in
order to serve America and its people.
Works
Cited
ABC
CLIO.
(2011).
African
Americans
in
the
Armed
Forces.
Retrieved
April
19,
2011,
from
ABC
CLIO:
http://www.historyandtheheadlines.abc-‐
clio.com/ContentPages/ContentPage.aspx?entryId=1288946¤tSection=1288544&product
id=18
Coakley,
R.
W.,
&
MacDonald,
B.
C.
(2011).
The
United
States
and
the
World
Military
Since
1945.
Retrieved
April
14,
2011,
from
CGSC.Edu:
http://www.cgsc.edu/carl/download/csipubs/jessup/jessup_ch10
Department
of
the
Army.
(2005).
The
Strategic
Environment
and
Army
Organization.
Retrieved
April
21,
2011,
from
Department
of
the
Army:
http://www.army.mil/fm1/chapter2.html#section5
Fact
Monster.
(2011).
Major
Military
Operations
Since
WWII.
Retrieved
April
12,
2011,
from
Fact
Monster:
http://www.factmonster.com/timelines/militaryoperations.html
Fas.Org.
(2011).
Korean
People’s
Army.
Retrieved
April
20,
2011,
from
Fas.Org:
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/agency/army.htm
Porter,
K.
(2011).
The
Relationship
of
the
United
States
with
Russia.
Retrieved
April
19,
2011,
from
About.com:
http://usforeignpolicy.about.com/od/countryprofile1/p/usrussia.htm
Porter,
K.
(2011).
The
US-‐North
Korean
Relationship.
Retrieved
April
19,
2011,
from
About.com:
http://usforeignpolicy.about.com/od/countryprofile1/p/usnkoreaprofile.htm
12
Russian
Federation.
(2003).
Russian
Military
Doctrine.
Retrieved
April
26,
2011,
from
Russian
Federation:
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/doctrine/991009-‐draft-‐doctrine.htm
Sociology
Guide.
(2011).
Social
Institutions.
Retrieved
April
10,
2011,
from
Sociology
Guide:
http://www.sociologyguide.com/basic-‐concepts/Social-‐Institutions.php
Wikipedia.
(2011).
Defense
Reorganization
Act
of
1958.
Retrieved
April
14,
2011,
from
Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_Reorganization_Act_of_1958
Wright,
J.
(2008,
May
3).
Military
Life
Vs.
Civilian
Life:
Advantages
and
Disadvantages.
Retrieved
April
24,
2011,
from
Associated
Content:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/730149/military_life_vs_civilian_life_advantages_pg
3.html?cat=9
CORE ASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS
DATA ANALYSIS ASSIGMENT
The Data Analysis Assignment is intended to engage students by asking
them to reflect on the relationship between institutional arrangements in
their lives, and: 1. institutional actions and events across multiple levels of
activity; 2. cross-cultural institutional forms; and 3. institutional change
over time. However, in accomplishing that task students are asked to
analyze and develop conclusions about the theories and concepts regarding
institutional arrangements introduced to them through the readings,
lectures, and ongoing class discussions for the week.
Learning Objectives Supported:
• Describe the major social institutions found in most societies.
• Analyze the social and individual functions and dysfunctions of each institutional form.
• Explain the interactions of social institutions at the regional, national, and international
levels.
• Apply influential institutional theories and concepts to specific cases.
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of different institutional solutions to social
problems.
• Explain how social institutions shape individuals and their life chances.
Directions:
Students must choose one of the institutions discussed in this course as their
essay focus. The essay must address the following issues:
• How has the American form of this institution developed since World War II?
• Compare the American form of this institution to its expression in two other countries.
• Discuss how this institution positively and negatively affects individuals. How might
individuals work to change it for the better?
• Apply one institutional theory in an extended critical analysis to more clearly understand
the workings of this institution.
• Evaluate how this institution is adapting to pressures from globalization or changes in
other institutions.
Your essay should incorporate the results of several sources of original
sociological research, provide clear and well-developed examples for each of
your major points, and critically evaluate the effects of this institution in the
Information Age.
http://www complete.com/cms/hppl/tabid/108/Default.aspx?r=q8b3uige22
2
1. The essay has to include all information that I have attached and should have at least
2500 words not including the references and title page.
2. Paper is due Saturday 12 noon 7 December 2013.
3. One of the References has to be textbook Skolnick, J. H., & Currie, E. (2007). Crisis In
American Institutions (14th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
http://www complete.com/cms/hppl/tabid/108/Default.aspx?r=q8b3uige22
3
o
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