Sociology Help! 3 Main elements of a sociological imagination?

Question

Homework help!

Doing distance and a little confused on what exactly I'm supposed to use for my Essay.

The question reads; "What are the main elements of a “sociological imagination,” and why is sociological imagination important?"

Now my question is this...

Would those three elements be the three main questions?

-How is this society structured?

-Where does this society fit in human history?

-In what ways does this society shape human personality?

Or would the three be along the lines of "public issues, private troubles, and...?

My tutor takes days to write back and I really just want to get working because I have the time today!

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

"What are the main elements of a “sociological imagination,” and why is sociological imagination important?"

I don't know about 3 *specific* elements, but I do know that some elements of sociological imagination are thinking, questioning and answering questions from a detached view of society and using the rhetoric of sociology to examine aspects of society.

Example: What function does this coffee serve society? Coffee is not just a drink. It is a symbol used for business interaction and middle class values. It is also a key connector of globalism between the First World and the Third World.

Then why is Starbucks in Second World countries?

........ Maybe because they want to experience something from the First World to show they are becoming successful.

This sort of imangination is important, because without it, people examine broad cultural issues from narrow, personal views which does nothing to further understanding of groups.

"Coffee is just a drink. I drink it because I like it. The Third World has nothing to do with me, because I have never met anyone from it. China must like coffee too, which is why they have Starbucks now."