Some Prelim Exam Questions by Category (not an exhaustive list)

Comparative Race Studies

In 1967, Pierre L. van den Berghe published Race and Racism: A Comparative Perspective, in which he criticized North American scholarship on race for its parochialism and argued the need for more cross-cultural analyses. Though there are still many gaps in our knowledge, today scholarship on race and ethnicity outside the United States is no longer a rarity. Choose two exemplary studies that address issues pertaining to race/ethnicity in distinct, non-U.S. settings and, for each one, describe (1) the central question(s) addressed; (2) the methodology and principle findings; and (3) the implications of the findings for the study of race and/or ethnicity in the United States. (Aug 07 and Aug 06 and Aug 04)

Significance of Race
Identify the main arguments in the ongoing sociological debate about whether or not the significance of race in the US is declining. Then take a position in this debate, drawing on recent empirical work to support your stance. You may draw evidence from any domain you see as relevant (housing, education, incarceration, health, etc), but be sure to discuss specific published works. (You may discuss evidence and counter-evidence from one or two domains in detail, or survey a wider range of domains, as you see fit). What is the benchmark against which the studies you cite argue for increase or decline in the significance of race in the US? (Jan 09 and Aug 07)

In part responding to Wilson’s thesis on the declining significance of race, other prominent works have suggested that race continues to play an important role in the lives of U.S. citizens. In light of this debate, discuss the contributions made by Massey and Denton (American Apartheid), Oliver and Shapiro (Black Wealth/White Wealth), and Mary Waters (Black Identities). What were the major contributions of each of these works? How can these works be seen as relating to Wilson’s thesis? Is each of these works in contradiction to or consistent with Wilson’s declining significance thesis? Justify your answer by citing important findings from each. (Aug 03)

Social Construction of Race

Despite great diversity in theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches, and political orientations, there is a general consensus among social scientists today that race and ethnicity are social constructions. (a) What do social scientists really mean when they say race and ethnicity are socially constructed? As opposed to what? (b) How is race socially constructed? That is, through what sorts of social processes do racial and ethnic boundaries get created and reproduced? Choose three “constructivist” studies of race/ethnicity that you have NOT DISCUSSED IN ANY DETAIL IN PREVIOUS ANSWERS and discuss the social processes that are highlighted by each author. Of the various dynamics discussed in constructivist approaches to race/ethnicity, which do you see as most central to the creation and perpetuation of racial/ethnic distinctions in American society today? (Aug 07 and Aug 04)

Distinction between Ethnicity and Race as analytic category/-identity

How is the difference between race and ethnicity defined in the literature? What is the historical origin of this analytical distinction? Do you think it is an analytical distinction which should continue to be made? Why or why not? Do models which attempt to explain ethnic stratification and mobilization work just as well for racial groups? Or do we need separate models to explain racial stratification and mobilization? Cite specific literature in your answer. (Aug 07)
In discussions of race and ethnicity, the terms are often used interchangeably. In what way(s) is this inappropriate? How might this tendency be especially confusing when comparing experiences between blacks and Hispanics? (Aug 04)

The terms racial identity and ethnic identity are often used interchangeably. In what ways is this problematic? How do these identities differ? How do they overlap? Make sure to refer to literature that uses each term in your answer. (Aug 03)

Race as Variable/Explanation
In recent years, a number of scholars (e.g. Paul Gilroy, Robert Miles and Rudy Torres, Loic Wacqant, Barbara Fields, among others) have argued, from diverse perspectives, that “race” is not a useful concept for sociological analysis. What are the strongest arguments against using race as an explanatory concept in social science? What are the strongest arguments for retaining race as an explanatory concept in social science? (Cite authors associated with the arguments you discuss, as appropriate). In your view, how should scholars who work in this field deal with this controversy? Can these positions be reconciled, and if so, how? (Aug 07)

Stereotypes, Prejudice
What does research suggest about the role of ethnic attitudes, preferences, and stereotypes in promoting ethnic concentrations in jobs, housing, and institutional and organizational affiliations. Please cite the appropriate literature, and be specific in identifying individual ethnic groups where appropriate. (Aug 06)

Summarize research on racial attitudes among Asian Americans, Hispanics and Blacks. What model(s) of intergroup dynamics are most appropriate for accounting for reported findings? (Aug 06)

Three important theories in racial attitudes research are realistic group conflict theory, social dominance theory, and social identity theory. Describe the main components of each and their policy implications for race relations. (Aug 03)

Segregation (and Methods/Evidence)
Trace the evolution of the concept of the “ghetto” in academic sociology. Use the works of Louis Wirth, Drake and Clayton, and William J. Wilson as reference points to focus your analysis. Describe how the concept has changed. Has its more recent meaning stripped sociologist of a vocabulary that has been historically important to discussing issues that were encompassed by the older use of the term? Does this matter? (Aug 07)

Can studies of racial/ethnic residential segregation which use exclusively either census data or ethnographic data measure the empirical reality of segregation between human beings in a city? Design a study that combine census and ethnographic data which takes into account the range of interactions in an entire neighborhood or set of neighborhoods which might not be encompassed by a traditional analysis which uses only one type of data. Please describe the type of results you would expect to derive from each, and indicate how they may compliment each other. (Aug 06)

Trends in residential segregation, as indicated by the index of dissimilarity and the exposure index, show divergent patterns across groups between 1990 and 2000. Black-white segregation continues to decline slowly, while Asian-white and Hispanic-white segregation are slightly increasing. One possible interpretation of these divergent trends is that the levels of segregation of each of these groups from whites may be converging. Another possibility is that the underlying causes of black-white segregation may not be the same as those associated with Asian-white or Hispanic-white segregation. Discuss empirical evidence indicating which of these explanations is more plausible. Be specific in the evidence you cite and the reasons why is supports one of these explanations. (Aug 04 and Aug 03)

Marriage and Family
While an increasingly common phenomenon, interracial marriages remain rare. Describe patterns of interracial marriage in the US. What are major explanations for differing marriage rates for different racial groups? Are these patterns indicative of a growing racial acceptance? (Aug 07 and Aug 04)

Majority-Minority
Recent census reports indicate that Hispanics have surpassed blacks as the largest minority population in the U.S. However, several scholars point out that 1) a numerical majority should not be the only criteria used to define “minority”; 2) “Hispanic” and “black” are not equivalent categorically or conceptually; and 3) the recent official changes in self-identification of racial and ethnic affiliation make such distinction as “minority-majority” superficial. Critically comment on the relevance of each of these points of view with respect to the reporting of Hispanics as the new minority-majority in the U.S. (Aug 06 and Aug 03)

Education
There are many divided opinions regarding whether bilingual education should be offered and in what manner. Describe at least three different forms of bilingual education programs, illustrating their strengths and weaknesses. Explain your opinion regarding these forms of bilingual education and cite works that support your view. (Jan 09)

Some social scientists attribute part of the black-white achievement gap in education to oppositional culture, while others believe it plays a minimal role. Describe the conceptualization of oppositional culture by several social scientists, citing evidence for AND against the claim that oppositional culture explains part of the black-white achievement gap, and describe and support your own position. (Jan 09)

Welfare State

Has the modern welfare state reduced racial inequality or merely reflected and reinforced it? Under what conditions (if any) is it most likely to accomplish the former rather than the latter? Your answer may refer to the welfare state in the US, in other countries, or both, but be sure to support your answer with concrete historical or contemporary examples and reference to specific authors and works. (Jan 09)

Affirmative action continues to be a highly controversial topic even though surveys suggest that many people misunderstand or do not know what it means. Describe what affirmative action means today and how its meaning has changed over the years. Explain why it is so controversial, and take a position on whether you think it is still needed and what form it should take. Be sure to cite empirical research to support your position. (Jan 09)

How has the welfare state reflected and influenced racial divisions and race relations in society? Your answer may refer to the development of the welfare state in the United States, in other countries, or both, but be sure to support your answer with concrete historical or contemporary examples and reference to specific authors and works. (Aug 07)

Critical Whiteness Studies

Evaluate the contributions of critical whiteness studies to sociological understanding of race and ethnicity. Select the work of at least three authors who have contributed to this line of scholarship and weigh the theoretical and empirical contributions of their work against any serious deficits. In your answer, be sure to note the explanatory aims of each work discussed, and keep these aims in mind as you evaluate the contributions made. Overall, do you think critical whiteness studies present valuable new directions for sociological research? Or is this line of research a counterproductive detour? Explain the reasons for your answer. (Jan 09)
Much recent historical research on race and ethnicity in the United States has focused on the social construction of whiteness. What key authors and works exemplify this research? In your view, what are the most important and valuable insights generated by this research, and what aspects of it are most problematic or questionable? (Aug 07)

Assimilation/Segmented Assimilation

Assess the contributions of segmented assimilation theory to sociological understanding of immigrant incorporation and integration into American society. In what ways does segmented assimilation theory improve upon Milton Gordon’s theory of immigrant assimilation? Do any deficits in Gordon’s original formulation remain unaddressed in segmented assimilation scholarship? Does the segmented assimilation framework introduce new problems or tensions that remain to be resolved? Be sure to cite specific theoretical and empirical contributions in your answer. (Jan 09)

Is the concept of “assimilation” useful for studying the new immigration (and by this, we are referring to post-1965 immigrants and subsequent waves)? Authors such as Alba and Nee, and Portes and Zhou, have proposed modifying the concept of assimilation to make it more suitable for analyses of contemporary immigrant experience. What is distinctive about the new immigration experience, and what modifications to the traditional “assimilation” framework have been proposed to accommodate these differences? Do rehabilitated assimilation frameworks work well for studying the new immigration, or should the concept of assimilation be replaced with something else? (Aug 07 and Aug 06 and Aug 04)

Ethnic Mobilization

Ethnic mobilization and conflict are important processes in understanding race and ethnicity. Describe two major theories of ethnic conflict and/or political mobilization. Who are the major authors associated with each of these theories? Then provide a brief critique of each theory. Which features or forms of mobilization or conflict are well explained by each theory, and which are explained less well? (Aug 04 and Aug 03)

Incarceration

Recent empirical work points to racial (ethnic) differences in involvement in the criminal justice system, mainly with respect to probation and incarceration for felonies, as a key factor in promoting racial (ethnic) inequality. Briefly outline the major patterns of these disparities, and then discuss what is known about the link between involvement in the critical justice system and racial (ethnic) inequality, particularly with regard with regard to family formation, family structure, labor market career, and socioeconomic attainment. How might involvement in the criminal justice system affect each of these outcomes, and how might it contribute to racial (ethnic) inequality? (Aug 03)

Classical Theory

Among the classical nineteenth-century sociological theorists, Alexis de Tocqueville was the only one to provide a sustained discussion of race and race relations. In fact, the longest chapter of Democracy in America is devoted to this topic. Identify and discuss those aspects of his argument that, in your view and in light of subsequent research and theorizing, have proved to be the most and the least insightful and accurate over time. (Aug 07)