Subcultures

Go to this website and watch 1 of the videos on LA subcultures.
Answer the questions below (minimum 1 paragraph each)

1. How do the values of the subculture you observed differ from those of mainstream American culture? How are they similar? 
2. What functions do subcultures serve (manifest and latent, functions and dysfunctions)? 

Make sure to include your first name and last initial after your post.

Rituals of the Nacirema People

300 - 500 word essay on one or more "rituals" of American culture.

Your task is to describe one or more American rituals from an outsider's perspective.  Remember that rituals are defined as "formal patterns of behavior that symbolically express shared beliefs"

Try to write as Miner did in the Nacirema article.  Describe the chosen topic as an outsider viewing our culture for the first time. Assume you had no prior knowledge of our culture: what would the actions you observe lead you to believe about American culture and its values and beliefs?

You can see examples from previous classes HERE

Post your response as comments to this post.  

Do your work in another location to insure you don't lose it - when finished just paste it into the comment box below this post - you can comment anonymously but make sure to include your first name and last initial at the end of your post.   

DUE Friday 2/6

Exit Survey

Please help me improve my teaching and refine the course content by answering a few questions on this survey.

Thank you all for an awesome semester! This class was a lot of fun to teach and I am looking forward to using your feedback to improve it next time around.  I know I learned some things (besides Imgur) and I am hoping that you did too. 

Feel free to bring any food, drink, music and pictionary games to class Wednesday.

Waiting for "Superman"

Post a 1 paragraph reaction to the film Waiting for "Superman"

What can be done to address some of the problems in the US education system? 

Consider discussing: 

• Charter schools - pros and cons
• School choice and vouchers 
• Tracking - pros and cons 
• Educational reforms (tenure reform, merit pay, extended school hours, etc.)

Make sure to include your name and/ or  blog #

DUE: Tuesday 1/22

Capitalism: A Love Story

Answer each of the following questions in 3+ sentences.  Be sure to include your name and/ or blog number. 

1. According to the film, what are the major problems with America's economic system?
2. According to the filmmaker, why do these problems in our economic system exist? 
3. What was your reaction to the film? How did it make you feel?  Why? 
4. What changes to the American economic system would you recommend?  Why?  What effects would these changes have on our society as a whole? 
5. What role should the government play in regulating the economy?  Which areas should the government regulate that are currently (mostly) unregulated and/ or which things that are currently run by the government should be turned over to private businesses?  Why? 
6. Do you agree with the theory of economic convergence?  Why or why not?  Did the movie change your mind one way or the other?  Why? 

SICKO

React to the film Sicko.  Answer each of the following questions in 3+ sentences.  Be sure to include your name and/ or blog number. 

1. According to the film, what are the major problems with America's health care system?
2. According to the filmmaker, why do these problems in our health care system exist?
3. What was your reaction to the film? How did it make you feel?  Why? 
4. What changes to the American health care system would you recommend?  Why?  What effects would these changes have on our society as a whole? 

DUE: Wednesday, 12/5

Downward Mobility

Read this article and answer the following questions in 3+ sentences EACH. Include your name and/ or blog number.

1. What are the causes of downward mobility in US education? Discuss at least 2
2. What are the effects of downward mobility in US education? Discuss at least 2
3. What do you think can and should be done to address this problem?  (don't say nothing!)  

DUE Tuesday, December 4th 

The 1%

React to the movie,"The One Percent"

1 paragraph - Address (most of) the questions below:

• What did you think about the film?  
• What was your immediate reaction?
• Do you agree with the premise of the film?  Why or why not? 
• What can government do to address the problem of income inequality? 
• What can ordinary citizens do to help solve this problem?  What can you do?  Please don't say nothing!

For charts on inequality see this website: 23 Mind-Blowing Facts about Income Inequality in America

Include your blog number and/ or your name

DUE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26th

Deviance

Read the handout "Drink 'Til You're Sick: What Explains College Binge Drinking?"

Answer the following questions (minimum 3 sentences EACH)

1.  Which theory or theories of deviance do you think best explain why deviant behavior exists?  Why?  (See chart for info- posted under materials and also below assignment on HW page)  

2.  How and why can labeling theory be used to challenge the idea that binge drinking on college campuses is deviant? 

3.  Which theory or theories of deviance offer an understanding of binge drinking that could be useful in developing strategies to control it?  How and why?


INCLUDE YOUR BLOG # (or your name)

Subcultures

Go to this website and watch 1 of the videos on LA subcultures.
Answer the questions below (minimum 1 paragraph each)

1. How do the values of the subculture you observed differ from those of mainstream American culture?
2. How do subcultures aid in the process of socialization? 
1. Do you think that subcultures help or hinder socialization?

Make sure to include your blog number (or your name)

DUE: Thursday, October 11th 

3 Sociological Perspectives/ Approaches

Which of the 3 main theoretical approaches/ perspectives in sociology (functional, conflict, interactionist) do you think is the most useful?  Why?
Be sure to discuss any weaknesses with the perspective you chose.

Respond in 1 paragraph (5 - 10 sentences)

Include your blog # - email me at malagolds@mcvts.org if you forgot your #

2 Kenyan Guys Video Reaction

1 Paragraph Reaction to the Video: 2 Kenyan Guys in NYC

DUE: Wednesday 9/15

Possible questions to address: (you can write about anything you choose, these questions are only to get you started if you are stuck). 

1.  What was most surprising or shocking to you about the video?  Why do you think you were so surprised or shocked?

2.  What aspects of our culture seemed strange to the Kenyans? Why?

3.  What are some similarities and/ or differences between our cultures?

4. What are a few things you learned or realized while watching this video?

Remember to include your blog # - email me at malagolds@mcvts.org if you forgot. 

Nacirema Essay

250 - 300 word essay on one ritual or one or more rituals of American culture.

Try to write as Miner did in the Nacirema article. 

Describe the chosen topic as an outsider viewing our culture for the first time. 

Your task is to describe one or more American rituals from an outsider's perspective. 

Assume you had no prior knowledge of our culture: what would the actions you observe lead you to believe about American culture and its values and beliefs.

You can see examples from previous classes here:


Post your response as comments to this post.  

Do your work in another location to insure you don't lose it - when finished just paste it into the comment box below this post - you can comment anonymously but make sure to include your first name and last initial at the end of your post.   
DUE Friday 2/6