Sociology assignment -02

Total word count: 550

Workbook Activity #4 – Conceptualization

Part 1

Before doing today’s reading, come up with a definition of nature. You can do this off the top of your head, or consider dictionary definitions, but don’t look further than that. Write down your definition.

Definition: __________________________________________________________________________

Part 2

After doing today’s reading, answer the following questions:

1. In “Nature’s Looking Glass” Angelo & Jerolmack challenge the common usage of nature as untouched or unspoiled by humans. How do environmental sociologists conceptualize nature? What concepts do they use to challenge dominant assumptions about nature?
2. How does your original definition compare to the definition used by Angelo and Jerolmack?
3. Compare and contrast the concepts of asocial nature and social nature. Be sure to define each term as it is introduced in the article, before commenting on how the concepts align and differ.
4. What is a frame break? How can the process of conceptualization help us respond to frame breaks?
5. How might you operationalize the concepts of social nature or asocial nature? List 5 potential indicators for each concept; try to pull from the prior literature (the Angelo & Jerolmack article) as much as possible, but you may also add your own ideas to the list.
6. Write a research question that invokes the concept of nature. Conceptualize your terms with definitions.