(UENP 2021) - Question Medium of Sociology

During the formation of modern States, the notion of citizenship and the rights and duties of individuals towards the State were reconfigured. T.H. Marshall, in his work 'Citizenship and Social Class,' discusses the evolution of civil, political, and social rights as fundamental to the integration and participation of citizens in democratic life. Considering the historical context and T.H. Marshall's ideas, write an essay discussing the following points: 1. How did the construction of the modern State influence the perception of citizenship and the definition of rights and duties? 2. What is the role of social rights in consolidating full citizenship and how do they relate to the notion of social justice in contemporary times? Select and interpret historical and/or current examples that demonstrate the importance of the interconnection between social rights, citizenship, and social justice in sociopolitical practice.

Contemporary society is permeated by a wide range of cultural products, and mass culture stands out as a phenomenon that deeply influences social, political, and economic life. Produced on a large scale and disseminated through various means of communication, these products shape behaviors, ideas, and collective identities. According to the German sociologist Theodor W. Adorno, in his work 'The Culture Industry and Society' (1947), mass culture tends to standardize taste and homogenize perceptions, making the individual increasingly susceptible to social control. Adorno argues that 'the culture industry is the integration into mass society of structures that originated in privileged social groups'. Considering the contemporary context and Adorno's perspectives, analyze how the intersection between mass culture and digital media can both reinforce and challenge the concept of 'standardization of taste' and 'homogenization of perceptions' proposed by the sociologist.

In the contemporary context, technological transformations have reshaped the labor market scenario, altering both the work dynamics and the skills demanded from workers. In 'The Network Society', the sociologist Manuel Castells argues that the current society is shaped by new information and communication technologies, creating a 'space of flows' where economic activity is increasingly virtual and immaterial. Given this scenario and considering Castells' ideas, analyze the impact of digital technologies on the labor sphere, discussing the skills required for work in the 'space of flows' and the possible social and economic consequences of this phenomenon.