Module 1 Discussion Board (Foundations of Sociology, Sociological Research, and Culture) initial post due date pushed as we get acclimated to the course & to accommodate the delayed course publication)
Disclaimer: This assignment requires critical thinking not cheating by using the work of someone or something else to plagiarize responses. In addition to the strict prohibition of traditional plagiarism, the use of ChatGPT and any other form of generative AI is STRICTLY PROHIBITED as is the use of AI-to-human-text after use of Generative AI unless otherwise specified in the details of an assignment. There are detectors for both. Use of such technology will result in a grade of ZERO for the assignment.
There are a TOTAL OF 4 questions for this initial Discusion Board (DB). Peer responses are due by Sunday but can be completed as late as Tuesday next week given the due date push for the initial post. Please be reminded of the 250-word count minimum for initial posts (for the entire post and NOT for each part; more if fine, but a minimum of 250 words), to answer all parts of the questions, and to make sure that peer responses are substantive (more than just stating agreement or critiquing your classmate’s posts):
After reading the content for Module 1 (chapters 1 and 2), take a look at the following clip and then respond to the questions that follow. Be sure to use course concepts when responding, do not plagiarize, adhere to the word count requirement, respond substantively to at least two peers, and be reminded of the DB rubric.
Question 1 of 4: What do you think C. Wright Mills meant when he said that to be a sociologist, one has to develop a sociological imagination? Give an example of how you could use the sociological imagination to explain the existence of a current social problem like the current political conflicts, poverty, or any other social problem in our country.
Question 2 of 4: Name the three major sociological theories introduced in the textbook in the foundations of sociology content/chapter 1. Of the three, select only one and briefly define it, name at least one theorist (person) associated with the theory, and briefly. explain how you think that theorist would explain the social problem you highlighted in the first question.
There are two additional questions below the following video as well.
Take a look at the following media clip from the famous television show, What Would You Do?, that engages in a “social experiment” and then respond to the questions that follow. While we understand from our readings that Sociological Research is much more involved than journalistic approaches (including that we usually do quasi-experimental or, “ex post facto (after the fact) investigations of social phenomena for various ethical and logistical reasons), this exercise may help you think about how and why we conduct social research:
Question 3 of 4: Is this a qualitative or quantitative method? What is the dependent variable? Even though this is not a “true” sociological experiment, it IS a good “social experiment”. How might a sociological analysis of this issue differ from a study conducted by a television personality as in this series (be sure to include such considerations as value neutrality, validity, reliability, etc.)? Are there any conditions under which it would be ethical for a sociologist to conduct this type of social research (be sure to highlight any ethics concerns per ASA guidelines)?
Question 4 of 4: The book presents five different attitudes toward cultural variations: ethnocentrism, cultural imperialism, culture shock, cultural relativism, and xenocentrism. Once you are proficient with those definitions, select any TWO of the attitudes toward cultural variations mentioned above and identify and discuss ways in which each one you selected has been demonstrated or highlighted as related to the surge in U.S. Border crossings by Mexican Immigrants. Here is an article to help for those not familiar with this issue: https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/02/politics/title-42-border-what-matters/index.html
Module 2 Discussion Board (Select ONLY ONE Question: Socialization, Groups & Society, and Deviance/Crime/Social Control)
11 unread reply.11 reply.
This week we cover:
Socialization
Society and Groups
Deviance, Crime and Social Control
For this DB, respond to ONLY ONE of the following (your choice) given the heavy reading and short week). For the peer responses, please try to respond to one person who answered the same question as you, as well as one person who answered a different question.
NOTE: Each question OPTION has a video and/or article link that accompanies
Again, SELECT ONLY ONE OPTION:)
OPTION 1: SOCIALIZATION
Select one of the theories of development presented in the chapter and briefly detail how you might use that theory to explain the case of any of the feral children in textbook or the video and their lacking development. Can you think of other less extreme activities in our modern culture that may lead to social isolation of children (NOT to the extend of feral existence, but to the point that the grow to lack basic social skills)?
OPTION 2: SOCIETY AND GROUPS
You might also find the following useful: New York Times article on how Asian Parents may need to have “The Talk:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/19/well/family/Talking-to-children-anti-Asian-bias.htmlLinks to an external site.
Dramaturgy, with its look at the world as a stage, is one sociological tool to analyze the world around you and your “place” in a given society and culture. One of the elements of dramaturgical analysis is impression management. Impression management is not being/acting fake; so, briefly explain, given our definition in the reading, how this concept (dramaturgy and specifically, impression management) might be applied in the example of those who parent Black children having to have “the talk” with their children regarding how to not be profiled and targeted by law enforcement and other figures. Can impression management be useful for Asian and/or Jewish persons when dealing with citizens who are bigoted and violently attacking those communities?
OPTION 3: DEVIANCE, CRIME, AND SOCIAL CONTROL
CAUTION!!!!! THIS VIDEO HAS EXTREMELY GRAPHIC IMAGES OF BRUTALITY. A WARNING WILL APPEAR PRIOR TO THE SHOWING OF THE IMAGES, Just a heads-up to for all but particularly given that many of us have children around so you may want to view it when you are certain they are not present. If you want to answer a question related to this topic but do not wish to view the video there is an alternative question for this chapter:
After watching the video (AND reading the module/chapter), choose THREE of the following concepts. Define each concept based on the definitions in the textbook (but in your own words) and then connect them to the video (highlight ways that you see each concept you selected.
Durkheim’s theory of deviance (including his 4 essential functions of deviance)
Labeling theory
Formal and Informal Social control
Sanctions
Stigma
Crime
Deviance
Alternative for those who want to respond to submit a response for the crime and deviance but do not wish to view the video:UNRELATED to the video, briefly define Strain Theory in your own words using the text as a guide. Briefly discuss the goal that the deviant innovator is seeking to obtain. Can you think of an example of a case/instance/action of deviant innovation that might usually be considered criminal, but may be acceptable by the majority of people in our society because the conventional means do not seem to resolve the issue (i.e., are there circumstantial instances when people can break the law because/as they reject the “conventional means” we prescribe in order to meet societal goals)? Please provide that example and briefly discuss.
Revised Module 3 DB SELECT ONLY ONE AND NO PEER RESPONSES
Due to the delayed posting, you are only required to select ONLY ONE of the following and post an initial response (your choice). Peer responses are NOT required for this DB.
There are 4 options below – one each covering stratification in the U.S., global stratification, race & ethnicity, and gender, sex, & sexuality. Respond to ONLY ONE – your choice:
Option 1: Take a look at the poverty threshold (poverty line) for a family of 4 as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelinesLinks to an external site.
Provide what you would consider a better/fairer poverty threshold for a family of four literally give a dollar figure and remember that a higher dollar figure means we can take care of more families and provide more resources than the low amounts the HHS has posted so your recommendation should be higher than the HHS figures…) and briefly justify your recommendation.
Option 2: Using Dependency Theory, provide at least one way that you think we can end global poverty (if you do not feel that it is possible briefly discuss why using the same theory). Then, using Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory, briefly indicate which nations (by type: core, peripheral, or semi-peripheral) benefit the most and which level is abused the most as it relates to actions that are SUPPOSED to help like operating a transnational conglomerate such as Walmart in multiple countries (by the way, there is an OPTIONAL documentary posted in the module that might be of interest…).
Option 3: Briefly discuss whether or not you agree with the contention that race is socially constructed. Use Social Conflict theory to discuss ONE of the following:
(1) why Asian Ameicans are referred to as the “model minority” and how this actually causes more harm to persons of Asian descent,
(2) why any racial group of individuals would think they have the right to assert control over another racial group;
OR, why, among all race and ethnic interactions in the U.S., black-white relations seem to be the most constrained.
Option 4: As indicated on the Medical News Today site (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-gender-identity#fa-qsLinks to an external site. there is really no fixed or exhaustive list of gender identities. There are sites claiming 76 identities, 100+ identities, etc., and it is clear that we we become a more gender-diverse society in terms of identity as well as understanding and acceptance. This list is ever-evolving, however, and it can be overwhelming to adjust to the use of the various gender terms even for those who genuinely want to respect gender identities. Now, consider the intersection of birth cohort and understanding of gender identity. Since there is really no limit to the number of social genders and respond to the the fact that many persons in older cohorts grew up in eras marked mostly by binary gender identities and traditional etiquette practices like using, “ma’am” and “sir”, images of the old traditional family structure, etc. The questions: Do you think that differences in gender role socialization for older versus more recent cohorts account for differences in how quickly people understand and adjust to the use of evolving gender identities and pronouns? How might a symbolic interactionist theorist approach whether the burden lies mostly with those who learning to learn more quickly, or with those who want and deserve to be respected for how they identify to be more understanding?
I’ll send the student response in the attachment!
