Does Bourdieu's theories regarding the taste and social class help us to understand the problems of gender in the workplace
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Potential Ideas for Section Essay #3
1. While Weber details the characteristics of bureaucratic forms, he is wary of the
potential impact that bureaucratic rationalism will have on the development of a
society. Marcuse, on the other hand is not wary, but alarmed at what he sees as an
all-encompassing technological rationalism. Are these concerns warranted? Why or
why not? How have your experiences with bureaucratic institutions gone? Do you see
parallels between those experiences and other aspects of your life that you normally
do not consider to be "bureaucratic"?
2. Marcuse's text, One Dimensional Man, played a significant role in the student
movement's of the late 1960's. Why do you think this is the case, especially
considering Marcuse's own lack of belief in the impact of protesting? In your
response, be sure to consider the historical context of both Marcuse's writing and
of the student movements of the late 1960s.
3. Based upon the readings of this course, how have you come to understand the
notion of "rationality"? Do you think rationality is a problematic concept, and if
so why? Furthermore, do you think rationalization is a generally positive or
negative process in society, and why?
If none of the ideas above strike your fancy and you are having difficulty
determining what to write about, consider the following:
1. Was there something important in the reading/theoretical position that you
strongly disagree with? If so, that disagreement may be a suitable topic for the
essay.
2. Do you think the theory(s) proposed by Marx or Bourdieu have continued or
contemporary relevance? If so, how might that be demonstrated? If not, what
evidence do you have to support your argument? Either position might be a suitable
topic for the essay.
3. Did you find one reading more compelling than the others? Why is that? Perhaps
you should direct your focus of the essay to that specific reading.
4. Have you identified any inconsistencies in the readings which may influence the
value of the ideas within? If so, what are they and what implications do these
inconsistencies have? This may also serve as the basis for the essay.
5. Do you have an alternative explanation for any of the theories posed? If so,
what is it? How would you defend your own theory?
6. Do you think that adopting the theoretical perspective(s) from this section would
help to give us a better understanding of a different field? For instance, does
Marx's theory of alienation and production give us a new way to look at mental
health? Does Bourdieu's theories regarding the taste and social class help us to
understand the problems of gender in the workplace (e.g. the glass ceiling; unequal
pay)?
Think about the questions above. They may spark some potential ideas of what you may
wish to write about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzQ_61S2I6M&feature=youtu.be
https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/refusing-marcuse-fifty-years-after-one-dimensional-man
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