Bonfire of the Humanities Trivia Quiz

Answer: Study of society

The term "sociology" comes from the Greek (logos, knowledge, word) and Latin (socius) meaning the study of associates or companions, especially in tribes or city states.

It was coined by Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyes, a French essayist, in 1780. In 1838 another Frenchmen Auguste Comte coined it independently as "a new way of looking at society", that is, through the methods of science. Karl Marx, sometimes called the founder of true sociology, called it a "science of society". So there we are--sociology is the methodical scientific study of human associations, typically in current-day society.

Answer: Human community

"Society" comes from Old French "societe" or company. It means friendly association with others. In Latin (societatem) it meant to follow an alliance, community, or association. In the 1500s society meant persons who come together for a specific purpose, and by the 1600s those living in a unified community, such as a neighborhood.

It was then applied to "fashionable people and their doings", such as the "Royal Society" that financed the 1769 explorations of Cook, and high society, pillars of society and secret society.

In sociology the study can be of "society" at large--an entire country or culture--or a systematic study of a group.

Answer: Patterns

Let's take bonfires for example. These are large, controlled fires set by a community, often as part of a celebration. Prior studies show a clear pattern--bonfires are set during a change of season or a religious festival in many societies around the world.

There's also a pattern of behavior. For instance, even in societies far from each other people "fire jump"--leaping over the fire--with a shared belief in its benefit, such as, "It brings the town good luck". Knowing there's a pattern, sociologists can look for other patterns to discover more. If study uncovers no pattern, if bonfires are set at haphazard and random times and completely different in every society, we might conclude they have no "social function".

Answer: Social problems

Social Problems is the area of sociology that examines struggles that impact a group. A rise in food prices or tuition, violent crime, teen pregnancy, terrorism, domestic violence, alcoholism, bullying or an outbreak of measles...these things change the safety, security, and values of a community. Sociologists provide us a big-picture view. Often they show that the source of the "problem" is not what people assume. Say a number of fire jumpers are injured at separate bonfires. People blame the jumpers.

They weren't prepared, or cheated, or failed on purpose, some say. Study uncovers the fact that the wood used for the fire that year burned much hotter, causing the injuries. This provides a new view of the problem, and therefore new solutions are possible.

Answer: Surveys

Surveys are a series of questions sent out to large groups, so that sociologists can collect and study the answers to gain a broad view.

If the majority who attended a bonfire answer a survey, sociologists can determine patterns such as how many attend, how long they stay, what age, gender, health and economic status they are, and how the bonfire affects the way they feel about the community. City officials, police, parents, local businesses and scholars...they all benefit from knowing how a community event impacts its citizens.

Answer: Volunteer

Sociologists often make a society aware of a "social reality"; that is, the true dynamics, and the source, of a community issue.

Once a community is shown the real source of a problem, and how it involves them, people are tremendously innovative at finding solutions. Each year thousands give their time and skill to help the victims of natural disaster, rebuild homes, hand out blankets to the homeless, feed the poor, visit prisoners, rescue animals, clean up lake shores, assist disabled veterans, operate museums, garden shows and theater, serve on committees and so much more. How powerful we are when we act as a unified group to tackle an issue! One of the joys of a community event like a bonfire is working together as a team to create it, and together close it down.

Answer: A bachelor's degree

If you have passionate interest in the larger problems human beings face, strong problem-solving skills, and you listen, speak and write well--if you'd like to create social change that betters human lives--look into a bachelor's degree in sociology. There you will learn about criminology, social psychology, cultural anthropology, social policies, and many other essential topics to help you narrow down where your strongest abilities lie.

To work in the field, you'll probably need a higher degree. Choose either clinical sociology--a focus on families and individuals within society--or applied sociology--issues that affect society at large.

Answer: The Tipping Point

A snowball becomes an avalanche, suggests Gladwell, when it reaches "The Tipping Point" (2000). In the same way social ideas, products, epidemics and trends suddenly go global or take hold of a nation. Gladwell investigates how sociological factors cause change. His theory is based on an important 1967 experiment by social psychologist Stanley Milgram.

Other standard books in the field include "Economy and Society" by Max Weber, "The True Believer" by Eric Hoffer, works by Emile Durkheim, and works by Carl Jung. I saw a new book this week about the closing of libraries and other shared spaces, and how this is impacting our society and its people.

Answer: Public Relations Specialist

Those trained and educated in sociology can look forward to a positive job market at least through 2026, according to the US Bureau of Labor. You can become a university professor, policy analyst, market analyst, lawyer, guidance counselor, pollster, corrections officer, religious leader or social worker, as well as work in international policies, city planning, early education, and non-profit and human services of many kinds.

The essential factor is a passion for analysis of the forces operating in society, and a desire to understand and uplift groups of human beings. If you are by nature a "change agent"--someone with skill assessing and then providing solutions to problems--your education in sociology can provide you a good living.

Answer: Institutions

An institution is a large organized group with a stable, predictable and defined purpose, such as serving a need of society.

For a sociologist, an institution is more closely defined as a complicated set of social norms or agreements, organized around a shared social value, often having existed for a long time. (Speaking of which, be prepared for academic language and complex sentences in this field).

We can think of world banks, governments, corporations, prisons, charitable organizations, the military, medical facilities, fire and emergency stations, as well as "families", "marriage" and "religion" and established celebrations as social institutions. These act in complex interconnection with each other. In the case of a tradition, such as lighting a bonfire each year on the same day, this provides essential connection, expression and identity to a community.