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1

One of Max Weber's most important contributions to sociology has been his examination of bureaucracies. To learn more, log onto The Dead Sociologists' Society, a website by Larry R. Ridener (http://www2.pfeiffer.edu/~lridener/DSS/DEADSOC.HTML). (This site is case sensitive.) Click on the picture of Weber and read "The Person," "A Summary of Ideas," and "The Original Work."
  1. What connections can be drawn between Max Weber's life story and his theory? How did childhood, education, work, and personal relationships shape his sociological ideas and research?
  2. What fact did you learn about Weber's life that interested you the most? Why?
  3. What connections can be drawn between Weber's "Types of Authority" and his thinking on bureaucracies? Give your own example of a leader from politics, history, or religion for each of Weber's types of authority.
  4. Do Weber's "Characteristics of a Bureaucracy" (described in Table 6-2 in the book as well as on the website) apply to your place of current or past employment? Why would the place where you work be considered a bureaucracy? Or why would it not be considered as such?
  5. Do the ideas from the chapter regarding primary and secondary groups, in- and out-groups, and reference groups also apply to where you work? How so?
2

Max Weber outlined the characteristics of bureaucracies: division of labor, hierarchy of authority, written rules and communications, impersonality, and employment based on technical qualifications. A modern twist on Weber's thinking can be found in the work of George Ritzer. To learn more about Ritzer's ideas regarding the McDonaldization of society, log onto Lycos (http://www.lycos.com) and enter the name George Ritzer in the search engine. Visit the sites that deal with McDonaldization and answer the following questions.
  1. What does Ritzer mean by McDonaldization? How are fast-food techniques relevant to the wider culture?
  2. Define the terms efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control. What examples of each concept does the site offer? Can you think of other examples?
  3. Where else do you see "McDonaldization" in our society?
  4. What does the "irrationality of rationality" mean?
  5. In what ways does Ritzer's work parallel Weber's?
  6. What arguments could be made by those who might disagree with Weber and Ritzer? Is there anything good or beneficial about living in a rationalized society?
3

The Young Men's Christian Association (http://www.ymca.net/) is the largest not-for-profit community service organization in America, working to meet the health and social service needs of 17.5 million men, women, and children in 10,000 communities. Click on "About the YMCA Movement" and then click on "History." Read the article and answer the following questions.
  1. Where and when was the YMCA founded?
  2. What did George Williams do?
  3. By the end of the Civil War, how many YMCAs were left?
  4. What did Moody and Mott do?
  5. Return to "About the YMCA" and click on "YMCAWorld." Then click on "Facts." What are the three main priorities of the YMCA?
  6. Click on "Around the World." Pick two YMCAs in any two countries and compare and contrast them.





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