Soc 111
LAST ASSIGNMENT (8 points):
The purpose of the last 4 classes of the semester is to apply the basic sociological concepts that we have covered up until now. Your last assignment is to do a 2-page (600-700 words) paper in which you present a sociological analysis/commentary on at least one of the topics and films that we cover during the last 4 classes. Your paper may involve any of the following:
In writing the paper you must use at least 5 of the highlighted concepts from the online readings. Please give special priority to culture, ideology, social interaction, identity, social structure, social institutions, and social inequality. The paper will be evaluated in terms of your grasp of the meaning of the concepts and how you have used them to identify and discuss public issues, social policies, or social experiences in your life. Basically, I am interested in how you use your sociological imagination.
You may also use major concepts from Sernau's book, especially if you deal with issues, policies, or personal experiences related to social inequality. And if you use correctly the concept of pedagogy, as it is defined by Giroux, you will receive my admiration, if not a good grade!
The topics covered during the last four classes are:
Your paper may be handed in anytime between May 3rd and May 13th.
Soc 111 DISCUSSION WORKSHEET (Spring 2002)
Name: ______________________________________________ Due Date: 2/1
Readings: Topic #1 at http://www.uccs.edu/faculty/jcoakley/readings_soc_111.htm
1. At the heart of sociology is the notion that that none of us lives outside the influence of the social world. This does not mean that our actions and relationships are determined by our immediate social environment or by society, but it does mean that each of us is influenced by forces, processes, and events that exist in the larger social world. Think of your own life and identify some of the social factors that influenced your decision to take this course.
2. Sociologists distinguish between "personal troubles" and "social issues." Think about the differences between these two concepts, and then give an example of each (don't use the examples in the readings).
EXAMPLE OF A "PERSONAL TROUBLE"
EXAMPLE OF A "SOCIAL ISSUE"
Soc 111 DISCUSSION WORKSHEET (Spring 2002)
Name: ______________________________________________ Due Date: 2/8
Readings: Giroux, pp. 1-62; "Culture" at http://www.uccs.edu/faculty/jcoakley/readings_soc_111.htm
1. Giroux is concerned that the future of democracy could be undermined by ideas, values, meanings, and desires represented in privately owned, commercial media. He focuses critical attention on Disney because the "texts" created by Disney are so entertaining, especially to children. This makes the texts a potentially powerful educational force in the culture. Do you agree or not agree that the mass media in general and Disney Texts in particular influence our lives as much as Giroux suggests? Whether you agree or disagree, give examples to support your case.
Agree (circle one) Disagree
Supportive examples:
2. Giroux says that the "pedagogy" of corporations such as Disney has caused public culture to be replaced by commercial culture. As this has occurred, people come to think of themselves and identify others as consumers instead of citizens. Use an example from Giroux's book to illustrate how this has occurred.
3. Why is Giroux is critical of Disney's training programs for new employees? Do you agree with his critique?
Soc 111 DISCUSSION WORKSHEET (Spring 2002)
Name: ______________________________________________ Due Date: 2/15
Readings: Giroux, pp. 63-122
1. Celebration School is the public school in Orlando that was designed and sponsored by the Disney Corporation. What are the advantages and disadvantages of corporate involvement and sponsorship of public schools?
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
2. Choose a Disney animated film with which you are familiar. Does the film contain any of the ideological themes that Giroux says most Disney films emphasize? Give an example if the film does emphasize one or more of those themes; OR if none of the themes is emphasized, explain what themes were emphasized.
3. In the conclusion to Chapter 3 Giroux identifies strategies that parents and educators might use as they critically examine the influence that Disney has in shaping "the symbolic environments into which our children are born and in which we all live out our lives." Which two strategies do you think are most important.
Strategy 1:
Strategy 2:
Soc 111 DISCUSSION WORKSHEET (Spring 2002)
Name: ______________________________________________ Due Date: 2/22
Readings: Giroux, pp. 123-176
1. Why is Giroux critical of the depictions of memory, nation, and family in Disney films? Do you agree or disagree with his analysis?
2. Do you agree or disagree that America is being turned into a toy store? Explain why you agree or disagree (give examples).
(circle one) AGREE DISAGREE
Explanation and example(s):
3. After reading Giroux's book, go back and identify two quotes that stand out in your mind because they encouraged you to think about the social world. Explain briefly what thoughts were inspired by each quote.
Quote #1 and explanation:
Quote #2 and explanation:
Assignment due on 3/1
Read the online material on Social Interaction (go the the Soc 111 Readings link) and use at least 4 of the concepts from the material (social interaction, socialization, significant other, self, pre-self-awareness, taking the role of the other, play stage, game stage, and generalized other) in a 400-500 word essay that describes and explains some aspect of social life.
The aspect of social life that you write about can be from your experience, it can be fictional, it can be related to media content, or related to a social issue or problem that you find interesting. It could even be related to an application or critique of some of Giroux's ideas.
The goal of the essay is to use the concepts in a way that indicates to me that you understand what they mean, how they are related to each other, and how they can be used to describe or make sense of some aspect of social life.
You should define in your own words each concept you use, or use them in a way that makes the definition obvious. You could also include comments about your understanding of the significance of the concepts in sociology. Finally, sociologists usually use combinations of concepts to describe social processes or situations, and that is why I am asking you to use at least 4 of the concepts listed above. I want you to understand how they "fit together."
Soc 111 DISCUSSION WORKSHEET (Spring 2002)
Name: ______________________________________________ Due Date: 3/22
Readings: Sernau, pp. 1-89
1. Describe a conservative position on social inequality and contrast it with a progressive position ? what are the main differences between the two?
CONSERVATIVE POSITION:
PROGRESSIVE POSITION:
DIFFERENCES:
2. Sernau presents data to show that income inequalities are increasing both within and between nations. Are such inequalities necessary to motivate people to work and achieve, or should they be defined as an unnecessary problem that should be controlled?
3. "The rich are getting richer while the poor are getting nowhere." On what basis does Sernau make this statement? Explain whether it is a fair statement or not
BASIS:
FAIR OR NOT?
Soc 111 DISCUSSION WORKSHEET (Spring 2002)
Name: ______________________________________________ Due Date: 4/5
Readings: Sernau, pp. 91-179
1. How does Sernau support his statement that "whiteness is a category of privilege"? Do you agree or not with his justification?
2. How does Sernau support his statement that "masculinity is a category of privilege"? Do you agree or not with his justification?
3. List at least 3 ways that social and economic inequality is related to politics and political processes?
Soc 111 DISCUSSION WORKSHEET (Spring 2002)
Name: ______________________________________________ Due Date: 4/12
Readings: Sernau, pp. 181-281
1. Go to Exhibit 8.4 on p. 197. Let's assume you will graduate from college in the next 3-5 years. Using the data in the exhibit compute the financial value of your degree in terms of mean annual income (in the 1994 dollars used in the data) compared to what you would have earned if you had gone to work immediately out of high school. Remember to take into account your age at graduation and the number of years of work until retirement (assumed to be 68 years old for you). Also remember to subtract the cost of your education and the income you are giving up while you are in college. Show the computations below. After making the computations for yourself, make them for your imaginary twin who is the other sex.
2. After reading Chapters 9 and 10, identify the strategy or social movement that you think has been most effective in dealing with poverty and economic inequality in the United States. Explain your choice by explaining the consequences of the strategy or movement.
3. What is the most encouraging thing and the most troubling thing that you read in the entire book, Worlds Apart?
Encouraging thing:
Troubling thing: