All of these essays written by SpecialEssays.com company and focus on the subject of sociology. Many different aspects of sociology are included in this section. Some essays are more specific while others are extremely broad. Also, some essays are not as well developed as others. The essays with many footnotes and sources are far more accurrate than the lesser developed ideas. The end of each essay contains a downloadable Adobe PDF of that essay.

ALBERLE'S, MOTT'S, AND O'DEA'S PROBLEMS RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS OVERCOME
An essay outlining problems identified by Aberle, Mott, and O’Dea that a religious organization must overcome in order to survive. There are certain prerequisites the group must have as well as must eventually develop a bureaucracy.

THE BASICS OF SOCIOLOGY
A compilation of essays summarizing chapters and lessons in my Introduction of Sociology class. These cover the basic concepts of sociology and are good for future reference.

CULTS, SECTS, AND THE JIM JONES PEOPLE'S TEMPLE
This essay explains the difference between cults, sects, and new religious organizations. It uses the People's Temple as an example of a cult and shows what characteristics to look out for when dealing with such organizations.

DURKHEIM'S DEFINITION OF RELIGION, SACRED, AND RITUALS
An essay focusing on the work of Emile Durkheim and his work on religion. He clearly defines what he believes religion to be and speaks of the need of sacred object and rituals within each society.

THE FIVE FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RELIGION
An exploration of the five characteristics of religion: its group qualities, its beliefs, its practices, its morals, and its sacred objects. These characteristics are generally universal and can be found in nearly every religion.

KONG KA TIN: A SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH TO THE A RITUAL OF RECIPROCITY
This is a modification of the anthropological essay "Kong Ka Tin: The Indulgence of the Theravada Buddhist." It focuses on the sociological aspects of the ritual, especially the apparent class organization of the people in the ritual.

MARDI GRAS: A STUDY OF THE FRENCH LOUISIANA TRADITION
An exploration of the indulgent festival which preceeds Lent, a Catholic season of moderation. The essay explains the cultural aspects of the Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans and Acadiana, which is far richer than girls flashing their boobs.