Blog Post/Journal Response #7

Please answer the question below:

After reading the selection “Making it by Faking It” by Robert Granfield (Reading 10, Life and Society, Henslin) please respond to the questions that follow. Previously in class we discussed how rules differ among social classes. What working class rules did these college students find as barriers during their experience at an elite law school? Do you feel that upward mobility could make one feel separate from their original class culture? Have you experienced class differences in your own life? How significant of a role do you feel class issues play in individual’s lives? How might you be sensitive to class differences in your role as a professional?

Blog Post #6

Originally Due: Thursday, November 1st but extended to Tuesday, November 6th due to the instructor's delay in posting the blog.

Please answer the question below: Question: Chapter 9 discusses social stratification and global inequality. If we conducted a simulation exercise in class, 15% of you would represent the high income group, 30% of you the middle income group, and the remaining 55% the lowest income group. These percentages are based on approximate real world percentages of people in these various groups. This simulation would demonstrate the vast inequality that exists in our world. The United Nations Development Program reported in 1998 that the world’s 225 richest people now have a combined wealth of $1 trillion. That’s equal to the combined annual income of the world’s 2.5 billion poorest people. Further, in 1998, 20% of the world’s people living in the highest-income countries accounted for 86% of total private consumption expenditures while the poorest 20% accounted for only 1.3 percent.

What theory or theories might a sociologist use to explain this vast disparity? What do you feel is the cause of this? What are some potential solutions which leaders in the field cite to address this problem of inequality?

Change of Due Date

Please note that Blog Post #4 is now due Tuesday, Ocober 23rd due to the cancellation of class on Tuesday, October 16th. Hard copies of the blog will be handed out in class today.

sagging pants

Sagging pants!


Some people like to be comfortable, but some people are claiming they're letting their pants sag just to express themselves. If they want to express themselves let them do it at home. They should ask themselves do they think that people want to see their underwear. I pretty sure most people dont' want to see anybodies underwear or for the most, their private parts.

To the lawmakers in Louisana, i would say keep pressing keep fighting. If i lived in Louisana, had a teenage daughter and she wanted to date a guy that was wearing pants that were sagging i would forbid it.

Don't these kids know that its officials of their own ethnic background that are against the way the way they wear their pants!? I guess they just don't get it.

To Larry Harris from Miami, i would say hip-hop is not a language, but a style of music and he should know that since he is a musician.

We tolerate African-American teenagers conduct in public, attitude, music, and now they want us to tolerate their display of underwear or their private parts....Where does it end then?

Thought-Provoking Question #4

Due: Thursday, October 18th


Please answer the question below:

Question: Chapter 4 discusses the major components of social structure, which include; culture, social class, social status, roles and groups. While it is important to identify each of these components, it is critical to understand how a person’s social location in the social structure underlie his or her perceptions, attitudes, beliefs and actions. Please use a character in a movie, television show, book or other appropriate medium as an example to illustrate the importance of social location.

I believe in society today we are influenced a lot by nurture. We see what other people are doing and we want to do the same thing. It could be from a cover of a magazine of how skinny, beautiful and expensive clothing the model maybe wearing, to the latest technology that is out there. Teachers, doctors, and even riding on a bus its part of the influence of nurture. There are different things that people see and do that they get costumed to. For an example,when you are a kid, you have certain people you look up to and want to do the same things that they do. Then when you are an adult, you will then have other different children who want to do the same. It's part of a cycle that everyone is on. People get influenced everywhere they go and anything they do. It's when they want to pick it up or not, that's part of life.

Journal Response #3

Due: Thursday, October 11th

Please answer the question below:

Question: Chapter Three explores “nature” (heredity) versus “nurture” (the social environment) in terms of how our human characteristics are developed. What are your feelings on this? Would you attribute the development of human characteristics to nature, nurture, or a combination of both? Please cite examples from class, the text and your own personal experiences to support your position. How has sociological research/observation responded to this question?

When I was growing up, my father moved to the suburbs of Massachusetts. My family wasn't invited into the community with open arms. We were the only and first Hispanics living there. But my father wasn't going to let them put us down nor out. For being Puerto Rican, we have a very strong culture. We stick together as one. For many years we had to prove to the community that we were a caring, well educated, and hard working family. Till this day my father still lives in the same community for over 20 years, but now he is highly respected. If it wasn't for my culture and what we stand for, we probably wouldn't be living in that community. I'm proud to be who I am. My culture taught me to be a strong, hard working, respectful, and caring person. And I see it like this... all cultures makes this one world.

Repsone to Question #1

I feel that both roles are crucial to sociology. Sociological analysis is important because it is necessary to have sociologists that research sociology and document it. It is important that the knowledge is shared throughout the sociological community. However, I can't say that I could support "pure sociology" without social reform. An example to support my opinion, when scientist look for a cure to diseases, they do not only document their findings, but they use them to help save or better lives. It would be senseless for them to find a cure and not use it to better lives. It makes very little sense to research society and then do nothing with the results. That is why I feel both roles are very important. The role of social reformist is to use the research to help change and better society. So while I can understand both perspectives, I don't think that one makes much sense without the other.

Blog Post/Journal Response #2

Due: Thursday, October 4th


Please answer at least one of the following questions:

Question #1: Chapter Two discusses the concepts of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. Please provide one example in which you encountered a culture different from your own and describe which one of the two concepts you practiced when you experienced that cultural difference.

Question #2: Chapter Two explains that cultures have subcultures as well as countercultures. Please describe the distinction between the two and list an example of each. Further, do you feel that the distinction between subcultures and countercultures is cut and dry? Why or why not?

Journal Response #1

Journal Response #1 Due Thursday, September 27th

Please answer at least one of the following questions:

Question #1: Chapter One discusses various schools of thought in terms of the role of sociologists in society. One view asserts that sociologists should simply study society while a second view espouses the belief that sociologists should use their research to reform society. Which do you feel is the role of sociologists and why?

Question #2: Chapter One discusses the three major theoretical perspectives in sociology: symbolic interactionism, functional analysis (also called functionalism and structural functionalism) and conflict theory. First, please list the level of analysis for each theory (ie: micro or macro). Second, which of the three theories do you feel makes the most sense to you? Please explain why.

Welcome to the "What's up with Sociology?" blog

Welcome to the “What’s up with Sociology?" blog. This is an opportunity for your to share your thoughts and feelings on issues discussed in class with your peers via an online format. I hope that you take advantage of this opportunity!Please follow the instructions below for posting to this blog:1. Click on the comments link for the question/discussion thread you want to respond to. This will prompt you to a screen where you can type in your comments.2. If you already have a blogger account, simply log-in.3. If you do not have a blogger account it will allow you to set up a user name and password.4. Post your answer to the comments section of that particular thread/question.5. In order to earn points for each assignment, you MUST post to that particular discussion thread. You may, however, start your own discussion thread if there is another topic related the course which you would like to discuss.6. If you would like to start a new thread, then go to www.blogger.com and you can start a new thread.I am looking forward to reading your posts!