Sociology

How do institutions like family, education, and government shape society? Why do institutions persist even when they are outdated or unfair? How do large systems influence individual behavior in subtle ways? What makes some institutions stable while others collapse or transform? Which institution has shaped your life most strongly?

Why do inequalities in wealth, power, and status persist across generations? How do class, race, and gender intersect to shape life chances? What policies help reduce inequality—and which reinforce it? How do people justify systems that benefit some groups more than others? What example of inequality strikes you as particularly unjust?

How do shared values guide social behavior even without formal rules? Why do cultural conflicts arise around changing norms? How does culture provide social belonging and meaning? What happens when cultural expectations clash within a diverse society? Which cultural value do you think is essential for a healthy society?

How do societies define what counts as deviant behavior? Why do norms vary dramatically across cultures and historical periods? What tools do societies use to enforce conformity? How can acts of deviance spark social progress or reform? What behavior do you think is unfairly labeled as deviant?

How do social movements emerge and gain momentum? What strategies make collective action effective or ineffective? How does technology reshape the landscape of activism? What motivates individuals to join risky or unpopular movements? What movement—past or present—has influenced your thinking?

How has globalization affected social identities and local cultures? Why do societies experience social change at different speeds? How does modernization impact family life, religion, and work? What tensions arise when traditional values meet global trends? What social change in your lifetime has felt most significant?