SOC 120 week 1 DQ 1

  

Ashford 2: – Week 1 – Discussion 1

 

Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Reference the

Discussion Forum Grading Rubric

for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.
 

     

Theory,   Evidence, Belief, and Bias

 The purpose of this discussion is to contrast theories, evidence, beliefs, and biases. Prepare and post a response to the following questions:

• Define what a theory is. What is the goal of a theory?      What are the components of a theory? Using one of the theories presented      in the textbook, identify two of the components and describe the      relationship between them. Note: Do not use the same components as one of      your classmates has used in a previous post.
• Describe how you can know if a theory is valid. What is      evidence or data? Where does evidence/data come from? What role does      evidence/data play in understanding a theory? Using one of the theories      presented in the textbook, describe what sort of data might be useful in      testing this theory. How might you collect this data? Note: Do not      describe the same sources of data as one of your classmates has done in a      previous post. 
• Contrast a theory from a personal belief. What are the      practical uses for a theory, and what are the practical uses for beliefs?      Which is more likely to represent a bias, a theory or a belief? Using one      of the theories presented in the textbook, explain how the theory differs      from personal beliefs. Offer examples of personal beliefs that contrast      with the components of the theory. Note: Do not use the same beliefs as      one of your classmates has used in a previous post.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7.