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1.1 Explain the sociological perspective.

Video Link: Three Founding Sociological Theories

A brief introduction to the three most classic sociological theories: Conflict Theory, Structural Functionalism, and Symbolic Interactionism.

1. Explain what each theories’ main concept deals with regarding societal structure.
2. Provide an example of a shared meaning.

Audio Link: Examining Social Groups

        Stories about the interactions of different relationships between people.

1. How is a family relationship different than a relationship with a friend?
2. Why are friendships important?

Web Resource: The Three Main Sociological Perspectives

This document provides an in-depth description of the origin of the three main sociological perspectives.

1. Who are the three theorists who developed each of the three main sociological perspectives?
2. What is the difference between manifest and latent functions?

 

1.2 Describe the benefits of studying sociology.

Video Link: Why Is Sociology Important? - Applications in Public Policy, Social Change & Personal Growth

This video discusses the real world applications of sociology.

1. What is public policy as related to sociology?
2. Provide an example of social change occurring within the past 100 years.

Audio Link: Three Miles

This audio highlights the difference in schooling between a public school and a private school located three miles apart from each other.

1. What were the impressions of the students who visited the private school as they did so?
2. How did the visit to the private school affect the students in their post-high school years?

Web Resource Importance of Sociology

This document provides many of the different, important real world applications of sociology.

1. Provide three real world applications of the importance of sociology.
2. Has society always been study as a science?

1.3 Summarize the social world model.

Video Link: Social Model Animation

 This video helps to depict the social model as it relates to disabled people.

1. Are fully functional people the norm throughout society?
2. Do the people who fit the norm in society understand how others feel?

Audio Link: Human Spectacle

This audio highlights the ability to utilize humans as subjects of studies.

1. How influential is television on human perspective?
2. Do you think studying humans outside of the lab is better than studying them inside the lab?

Web Resource: Understanding Society-Mental models for the social world

 This document describes how we mentally process the world around us.

1. How does Kant explain our ability to make sense of the contents of consciousness?
2. Provide two examples of the social “things” around which we organize our social perceptions.

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2.1 Outline the development of sociology.

Video Link: History of Sociology

This video provides background of the history of sociology.

1. What notion did John Locke champion?
2. Which theorist developed the labor theory of value?

Audio Link: Burroughs 101

This audio documents the life of William Burroughs.

1. What is one this that was significant to others of Burroughs’ lifestyle?
2. Why was Burroughs so influential?

Web Resource: Development of Sociology

        This document details the history and development of sociology.

1. Who coined the term “sociology”?
2. What was most notable that Durkheim studied?

2.2 Describe the key points of sociology’s major theoretical perspectives.

Video Link: 3 Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

A brief lecture on 3 theoretical perspectives in sociology: conflict, structural-functionalist, and symbolic interactionist theory.

1. What is a theoretical perspective?
2. Is symbolic interactionism macro or micro social perspective?

Audio Link: The Annoying Gap between Theory . . .  and Practice       

        This audio discusses many situations in which theory does not always reflect reality.

1. Do you think a leadership position in the community is a good way to invoke positive change in society?
2. Do you think theory represents practice?

Web Resource: Three Major Perspectives in Sociology

        This page provides a concise comparison of the three major sociological perspectives.

1. Which two sociological perspectives are considered to stem from a macro level of analysis?
2. To which classic theorist does symbolic interaction trace its origins?

2.3 Explain the core ideas underlying the scientific approach to understanding society.

Video Link: The Wisdom of Sociology

This TED talk suggests one way that sociology can be life changing by exploring how sociologists teach us to re-imagine our personal problems and ourselves.

1. Describe how the personal decision of suicide is a sociological question.
2. How does sociology help to explain the lack of individual freedom due to the structure of society?

Audio Link: Need to Know Basis

This audio provides insight into the costs and benefits of truth telling.

1. Explain why telling the truth is not always beneficial.
2. Explain the benefits of withholding the truth to protect people.

 

Web Resource: Understanding Sociology – Debates about field experiments in the social sciences

This article explores some of the methodological approaches to sociology.

1. Explain why there is not one particular method that works for all forms of social inquiry.
2. Explain why the concept of emergence is elusive

2.4 List the basic steps of the scientific research process.

Video Link: The Scientific Method – Steps, Terms, and Examples

This video is a short introduction to the scientific method.

1. What are the six key steps to the scientific method?
2. Is the approach to the scientific method the same for all social sciences?

Audio Link: Batman

This audio explores the effects of people’s expectations on others.

1. Do the expectations placed on people affect their behavior?
2. Does the way a blind child is raised affect his abilities to navigate the world?

Web Resource: The Nature of Science and the Scientific Method

This document details the scientific method.

1. Explain the importance of the testability of a scientific hypothesis.
2. What part of the scientific method sets science apart from other disciplines?

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3.1 Describe the structure (the “hardware”) of our social world.

Video Link: Societal Structure and Social Interaction

This video helps to explain meaning of social structure and social interaction.

1. What is social structure?
2. What is prescribed role?

Audio Link: If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say, SAY IT IN ALL CAPS

This audio explores the anonymity of the internet and the safety it brings to people as a forum for cruelty.

1. Why does the internet make people feel at ease to be cruel?
2. Is it possible for the anonymity of the internet to be useful to society?

Web Resource: Hardware and Software of our Social World

This PowerPoint explains the hardware and software of our social world.

1. Why is culture considered the software of society?
2. What are two components to the stages of development of society?

3.2 Illustrate how culture affects individuals.

Video Link: Cultural Meaning

        This video explains the importance of cultural meaning.

1. Provide an example of something that is done with a cultural basis.
2. Provide an example of something that is generally understood through cultural meaning.

Audio Link: Not it!

This audio explains cultural meaning within certain societies.                                     

1. How does a city obtain a title…and get rid of it?
2. What is the significance of playing “not it”?

Web Resource: Culture Shaping our Perception

This document helps to explain how culture affects our perceptions.

1. Explain how the Nisbett study shows that two cultures can have a fundamental different focus in social situations.
2. How does language shape the way we think?

3.3 Provide examples of microcultures, subcultures, countercultures, and global cultures.

Video Link: Subcultures and Countercultures

This video explains the difference between subcultures and countercultures.

1. Provide two examples of subcultures.
2. What is the definition of a cultural identity and why is it important?

Audio Link: Stuck in the Middle

This audio focuses on the often hated state of limbo, being stuck in the middle.

1. What makes being stuck in the middle of a situation so difficult?
2. Should someone’s values force another to remain in limbo?

Web Resource: What is the difference between Micro culture, Subculture, and Counterculture

This document details the differences between micro culture, subculture, and counterculture.

1. What is the definition of a counterculture?
2. How is a micro culture different from a subculture?

3.4 Compare key ideas in the symbolic interactionist, functionalist, and conflict perspectives on culture.

Video Link: Social Theories Overview

This video provides an overview of functionalism, conflict theory, social constructionism, and symbolic interactionism.

1. Explain the simplest way to think of functionalism.
2. What is an historical example of conflict theory?

Audio Link: Good Guys 2015

This audio highlights and challenges the cultural norms of “the good guy.”

1. What do you think about the good guy discount?
2. Do you think it is necessary for the person who benefits from your good deed to know about it for it to matter?

Web Resource: Paradigms in Sociology

This document details the three main paradigms in sociology: structure-functionalism; Marxism; and symbolic interactionism.

1. Briefly explain all three sociological paradigms.
2. Explain the main difference of symbolic interactionism from structure-functionalism and Marxism.

3.5 Explain why culture (the “software”) from one society does not always “fit” with the structure (“hardware”) of another society.

Video Link: Cultural Differences National Geographic    

This video highlights the cultural differences from those in Africa and in the United States.

1. Explain two main things that the people in the video noticed was different from their home.
2. Explain two main social things that the people in the video noticed was different than Africa.

Audio Link: Cultural Differences-Individualism and Collectivism

This audio highlights how the many cultures of the world differ in a great variety of ways.

1. What is the main difference between a collectivistic and individualistic society?
2. Which society tends to get divorced more often, collectivist or individualist?

Web Resource: Difference between Culture and Society

This document highlights the difference between culture and society.

1. Why is culture an important part of a society?
2. What are the three levels of culture?

 

 

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4.1 Summarize the nature versus nurture debate and the sociological perspective on it.

Video Link: The Nature-Nurture Debate

This video explains the difference between nature and nurture.

1. What is the difference between nature and nurture?
2. Does our nature influence our nurture?

Audio Link: Wake Up Now

This audio highlights the ability of people to change themselves and others.

1. What do you view as the concept “wake up”?
2. Why is “waking up” important?

Web Resource: Nature vs. Nurture Debate

This document explains the nature vs. nurture debate.

1. Why is the nature vs. nurture debate so important and controversial?
2. What is the sociologist’s view of the nature vs. nurture debate?

 

4.2 Predict the impact of isolation and neglect on children.

Video Link: InBrief-The Science of Neglect

This video explains why significant deprivation of physical interaction is so harmful in the earliest years of life and why effective interventions are likely to pay significant dividends in better long-term outcomes in learning, health, and parenting of the next generation.

1. How does a baby react to the lack of being attended to?
2. How is stress activated in a baby?

Audio Link: Regrets, I’ve had a Few

        This audio focuses on certain mistakes people make and their reactions to them.

1. Why is regret such a powerful emotion?
2. Is it important to deal with the emotions of regret?

Web Resource: Long-term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect

        This document is a report on the long-term effects of child abuse and neglect.

1. What are some of the different consequences of child abuse and neglect?
2. Explain in detail two of the long-term effects of child abuse and neglect.

 

4.3 Defend the position that groups at each level in our social world have a stake in how we are socialized.

Video Link: Agents of Socialization

                This video helps to explain the importance of socialization.

1. What does family teach us?
2. What is the education agent responsible for?

Audio Link: Is this Working?

        This audio explores the difficulties of dealing with discipline in an educational setting.

1. Do you think schools are having to replace the family for certain socialization aspects?
2. Is it important for a school to invoke punishment on its students?

Web Resource: The Core of Us

        This article explores the concept of socialization and the social self.

1. Does the “self” exist within the individual?
2. What does pragmatism say about an object?

 

4.4 Describe how we develop a “self” through interacting with others.

Video Link: Culture and Socialization

        This video explain the concept of socialization within the context of culture.

1. What is the difference between socialization and culture?
2. What is the primary group of socialization?

Audio Link: Amateur Hour

This audio highlights the ability of humans to interact in society in situations in which they are not familiar or for which they have not been socialized.

1. Why was the musical theater so important to the soldiers?
2. How does an egg teach a child responsibility?

Web Resource: Importance of Social Interactions

This document explains the importance of social interactions for young children in developing a sense of self.

1. When do most opportunities for social interactions occur for young children?
2. How do children who lean appropriate social skills benefit?

 

4.5 Explain how micro and meso level agents of socialization influence individuals.

Video Link: Macrosociology v. Microsociology

Sociology is a big field, and finding a perspective from which to begin--either large scale or small--can help make it more manageable; this video help to do just that.

1. What does macrosociology look at, specifically?
2. What is different about microsociology from macrosociology?

 Audio Link: Is that what I look like? 

This audio explores the experience of looking at one’s self.

1. Why is self-awareness important?
2. Without self-awareness, can we adequately interact with society and others?

Web Resource: Identity Theory and Social Identity Theory

This article explores the core components of identity theory and social identity theory.

1. Explain the process of self-categorization in social identity theory and identification in identity theory.
2. What is intergroup relations?

 

4.6 Discuss how macro level agents of socialization can impact children today.

Video Link: Primary Agents of Socialization

In this video, three of the primary agents of socialization are reviewed, including the influences of family, peers and media in contemporary American society.

1. What other agents of socialization exist that are not covered in the video?
2. How does the family provide emotional support at the macro level?

Audio Link: Magic Words

This video addresses many of the myths and fallacies seen throughout society.

1. Explain the importance of words within a society.
2. Is it possible to scam people with words?

Web Resource: The Effect of Poverty on Child Development and Educational Outcomes

This article examines the concepts and effects of poverty on children.

1. What is the definition of poverty?
2. Explain the mediated effects of poverty on children.

 

4.7 Identify policy questions that rely on an understanding of socialization.

Video Link: How we learn socialization    

This video explains how the most important aspects of social life are those concepts we learn without anyone teaching us.

1. What is a paradox?
2. What is socialization?

Audio Link: The Secret Recordings of Carmen Segarra

This audio helps to explain how, even within a federal agency, there are certain expectations of socialization.

1. How did the Fed explain an examiner should act?
2. What did Carmen hear that made her start recording?

Web Resource: Why Socialize?

This document helps to explain the importance of socialization.

1. How does socialization affect emotions?
2. Is there such a thing as too much socialization?

 

 

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5.1 Demonstrate the impact social networks can have on the lives of individuals.

Video Link: Social Media changes Your Mind

This video explains how social media effects your brain.

1. Is social media an addiction?
2. Are heavy media users able to multi-task better than those who are not heavy media users?

Audio Link: Human Spectacle

This video explores human nature when people believe they are being watched, constantly.

1. How do reality shows affect people’s behavior?
2. Do people behave differently when they know they are being watched?

Web Resource: Social Media’s Impact on Society

This document helps to explain the broad-based impact social media has on society.

1. Why do politicians use social media?
2. Explain two negative effects of social media.

 

5.2 Provide examples of how verbal and nonverbal interaction guides our behavior.

Video Link: Verbal versus Non-verbal Communication

This video explains the distinction between verbal and non-verbal as well as oral and non-oral communication.

1. What is the difference between verbal and non-verbal communication?
2. What is the difference between oral and non-oral communication?

Audio Link: The Radio Drama Episode

This audio takes what would normally be a stage performance and transforms it into an audio performance.

1. Is it possible to perform, orally, the same as what is typically conveyed visually?
2. How does the venue of a performance affect the audience’s reception of it?

Web Resource: Verbal vs. Non-verbal Communication

This source explains the importance of non-verbal communication in relation to verbal communication.

1. What make a good communicator?
2. Does nonverbal communication come naturally or is it a skill?

 

5.3 Describe the needs primary and secondary groups meet for members of society and the overall society.

Video Link: Social Groups    

This video exemplifies the need for human interaction.

1. Explain two elements of human interaction.
2. What is the definition of a group?

Audio Link: Got Your Back

This audio highlights the benefits of social interaction and social connections.

1. What difference does it make to know that someone is on your side?
2. Why do you think social interactions are important?

Web Resource: Types of Social Groups

This source provides information related to different types of social groups.

1. What are social groups?
2. What is the difference between primary and secondary groups?

 

5.4 Show how the characteristics of bureaucracy apply to formal organizations.

Video Link: Characteristics of an ideal bureaucracy

This video provides an overview of the five main characteristics of an ideal bureaucracy.

1. What are the downsides of the division of labor?
2. What are the five main characteristics of an ideal bureaucracy?

       Audio Link: Tarred and Feathered

This audio helps to highlight the public shaming that still takes place throughout society.

1. How was it possible for someone, in the past decade, to be tarred and feathered?
2. What happens to victims of public shaming in the greater scheme of social interaction?

Web Resource: Bureaucratic Form

This source details Max Weber’s six major principles of the bureaucratic form.

1. Explain two of Weber’s principles of bureaucracy.
2. Why is the description of the bureaucratic form important?

 

5.5 Explain why networking with people from different cultures has become increasingly important.

Video Link: Cross Cultural Communication

This video helps to exemplify the fact that as our world becomes increasingly interconnected, people increasingly encounter problems when communicating with people from other cultures.

1. Provide one example of cultural stereotyping shown in the video.
2. Explain why there is a cultural issue with communication between the people in the video.

Audio Link: No Place like Home

This audio helps to highlight the importance of culture within our society.

1. Explain how it is possible that the criticism of the Caminata Noctura comes from a lack of cultural understanding.
2. Explain why staffing people with American accents in Mexico is a form of stereotyping.

Web Resource: Collaborating across Cultures

This article helps to explain the importance of sharing cultural understanding.

1. Why is it important to work with people from other cultures?
2. Explain “cultural metacognition.”

 

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6.1 Describe who is deviant and why.

Video Link: What is deviance?

This video is a summary of deviance through video examples of various forms of positive and negative deviance.

1. Describe two forms of social deviance seen in the video.
2. Explain a positive form of deviance shown in the video.

Audio Link: Bad Baby

This audio focuses on the deviance that sometimes exemplifies itself through young children.

1. How young is it possible for deviance to present itself in a child?
2. Do you think young children known when they are being bad on purpose?

Web Resource: What is deviance?

This source explains in detail the concept of deviance.

1. Explain the concept of deviance as it is applied in sociology.
2. Why does the definition of deviance differ widely between societies?

 

6.2 Compare key ideas in the differential association, labeling, rational choice, structural functional, and conflict perspectives on deviance.

Video Link: Perspectives on Deviance

This video helps to explain the concept of deviance and appreciate 3 common theories that serve to explain it: Theory of Differential Association, Labeling Theory, and Strain Theory.

1. What happens when a norm is violated?
2. What classic theoretical paradigm is often used by sociologists when studying deviance?

Audio Link: Except for that One Thing

This audio provides examples of one particular thing standing out in the middle of a seemingly otherwise normal situation.

1. Provide one example of negative deviance exemplified in the audio.
2. Provide one example of positive deviance exemplified in the audio.

Web Resource: Theories of Deviance

This source provides theories of deviance of sociology as viewed through various theoretical paradigms.

1. Which theory differentiates itself by not focusing on the individual?
2. Which theory incorporates the concept of labels?

 

6.3 Provide possible explanations for why the crime rate has fallen in recent years.

Video Link: Crime Rate Fall, Private Prisons still make Millions

This video explains the phenomenon of falling crime rates and profit making prisons.

1. Is there a conflict of interest between private prisons and legal policies?
2. How has the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) been able to increase its profits by 500% over the last 20 years?

Web Resource: Perceptions haven’t caught up to Decline in Crime

This source helps to explain that our perception on crime does not reflect reality.

1. Why do people perceive crime rates rising although the rates are actually falling?
2. Which city has the biggest gap between perception and reality when it comes to violent crime rates? 

 

6.4 Describe types of organized crime prevalent today.

Video Link: Top 5 Most Powerful Criminal Organizations

This video explains which criminal organizations are the most powerful worldwide.

1. What are the names of each of the top five most powerful criminal organizations in the world?
2. Provide the details of the criminal organization explained in the video you find most interesting and explain why.

Audio Link: Dead Men Tell No Tales

This audio highlights the story of the Florida man who was loosely linked to the Boston Marathon Bombings.

1. How is Ibragim Todashev connected to the Boston Marathon Bombings?
2. What theory of deviance would you apply to the story in the audio?

Web Resource: FBI-Organized Crime

This source provides detailed information regarding the organized crime the FBI deals with on a regular basis.

1. What type of statues help take down entire organized crime enterprises?
2. Name two types of tools the FBI uses to fight organized crime.

 

 6.5 Give examples of crimes committed at the national and global level today.

Video Link: How Globalization affects Transnational Crime

This video highlights the fact that as world leaders increasingly debate drug legalization, there is an explosion of transnational crime in a globalized world.

1. What do criminals attempt to do with the proceeds of crime?
2. Explain how criminal activity can occur in a cooperative form between different criminal organizations.

Audio Link: I was so High

This audio highlights the deviant behavior of drug abuse, and its prevalence throughout society.

1. Does it seem as though society views certain illegal drugs as more deviant than others?
2. Does the legality or illegality of a substance effect society’s viewpoint of the level of deviance of its use?

Web Resource: The Global Regime for Transnational Crime

This source highlights the issue of transnational crime, including human trafficking.

1. Is today’s forced labor market as serious as the African slave trade?
2. Why is transnational crime so unique?

 

6.6 Discuss why you think either the structural functional or conflict perspective would be more useful in explaining the function of prisons in U.S. society today.

Video Link: Gangs in Control of American Prisons

This video explores the need to improve the American prison system by making them smaller.

1. How did prisons run before there were prison gangs?
2. During what years did the conduct code in prison change and why did it change?

Audio Link: Cops See it Differently – Part I

This audio focuses on racial profiling by police.

1. Do you think that racial profiling by police is deviant behavior?
2. If police are deviant, are they able to judge other people’s deviance?

Web Resource: Using Social Theory to Analyze the Private Prison Industry

This source provides some insight into America’s Private Prison Industry and social theory.

1. Are private prisons a positive structure of American society?
2. Should prisons be profit driven?

 

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7.1 Explain how the way in which people are ranked within stratification system depends on events in the society’s history, its geographic location, its level of development in the world, and its political philosophy.

Video Link: An Introduction to Social Stratification

This video provides an introduction to social stratification by deconstructing a definition of it which is then supported using real-world examples.

1. What is the definition of social stratification?
2. What are the two key assertions in the definition of social stratification?

Audio Link: A Front

This audio exposes that not everything is as it seems.

1. Why are there border patrol checkpoints stationed far away from the border?
2. What is the ATF finding throughout the country?

Web Resource: Social Stratification

This source details the concept of social stratification.

1. Explain social stratification from a functionalist perspective.
2. Provide two major principles of social stratification.

 

7.2 Compare key ideas in the symbolic interactionist, rational choice, structural functional, and conflict perspectives on stratification.

Video Link: Functionalism vs Conflict Theory - Stratification

This video explains the difference of viewing stratification from functionalism and conflict theory.

1. What is the conclusion of functionalism relative to inequality?
2. What do conflict theorist say about the value of different jobs?

Audio Link: A Not-So-Simple Majority

This audio highlights the social stratification within society that causes conflict.

1. Do local property taxes add to social stratification?
2. Does religion add to social stratification?

Web Resource: Theories of Stratification

This source details Marx’s and Weber’s theories of stratification.

1. Explain Marx’s theory of exploitation.
2. How did Weber see power as effecting society?

 

7.3 Describe how achieved and ascribed characteristics impact individuals’ life chances in the United States.

Video Link: Cultural Dimension: achieved status versus ascribed status

This video explains how some cultures confer status based upon what you personally achieve, whether at work, sports, financially, or socially where other cultures "ascribe" status based upon your social class, title, family background, age, gender and other factors.

1. Explain achieved status.
2. Explain ascribed status.

Audio Link: It’s Not the Product, It’s the Person

This audio focuses on the fact that owning a business is not easy and takes a lot of self-confidence to be successful.

1. What is the key business principle to owning any successful business?
2. Why is it necessary to have a lot of self-confidence to start a business?

Web Resource: Ascribed Status vs. Achieved Status: The Case of Homelessness

This source puts homelessness in the light of ascribed vs. achieved status.

1. Explain why an ascribed status is involuntary.
2. Do you think homelessness is ascribed or achieved and why?

 

7.4 Explain how family background, socialization, marriage, and education can impact social mobility.

Video Link: (Un)Living the American Dream: Factors Affecting Social Mobility

This video explains the fallacy of the American Dream for so many people.

1. What type of characteristics describe the middle class?
2. What is the difference between income and wealth?

Audio Link: House Rules

This audio highlights the importance of status within a community, and the difficulty in achieving it.

1. Provide an example from the audio of how the Fair Housing Act of 1968 was defied.
2. Do you think it is fair to force people who cannot obtain housing due to discrimination to also have to send their children to schools that are of lesser quality?

Web Resource: Explaining the Relationship between Family Structure and Children’s Educational Outcomes

This article helps to explain the importance of family structure in children’s education.

1. What are two indirect pathways that effect the family structure on children’s educational attainment?
2. Why is it important for stratification researchers to understand the complexity of social class effect in non-intact family forms?

 

7.5 Compare the pluralist and power elite perspectives on stratification in the United States today.

Video Link: How the Elite Stay in Power  

This video breaks down the way "those in power" stay in power by focusing on the issue of protests.

1. Explain two ways that those in power maintain the status quo.
2. How does the media affect the way people view the world?

Audio Link: Trends with Benefits

This audio explores disability benefit payments in the United States.

1. Do you think there is a connection between education and health?
2. What is causing kids to be the fastest growing population on disability?

Web Resource: Social Power Theories

This source explains the difference between the three major theories of power in society: The pluralist model, the power-elite model and the Marxist model.

1. How does Weber describe power?
2. What are the three types of groups in the Pluralist Model?

 

7.6 Illustrate how sociology can help us both understand and address inequality in society.

Video Link: Sociology of Social Inequality

This video helps to explain that when we are born, our family identity can help or hinder our chances of movement through social classes. In each society, our differences determine access to resources, future goals, aspirations and overall life chances.

1. Provide three elements of ascribed status.
2. Explain status and power.

Audio Link: Harper High School, Part One

This audio highlights the world of high school and recurring violence in the City of Chicago.

1. Is having to deal with the constant threat of shootings an ascribed or achieved status?
2. Do the students in high school in Chicago have the opportunity to experience high school in a violent free setting?

Web Resource: Sociology of Social Inequality

This source focuses on the social inequality that exists throughout society.

1. Explain social inequality.
2. What are the two main theories of social inequality?

 

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8.1 Distinguish between racial and ethnic groups.

Video Link: The Difference between Race and Ethnicity

In this interview for Dalton Conley's book, You May Ask Yourself, Jennifer Lee explains how sociologists think about race and describes the differences between race and ethnicity.

1. What is the difference between race and ethnicity?
2. Why is race considered a social construct?

Audio Link: Tribes

This audio highlights the real world experiences of having to adjust to other’s ethnicity.

1. How is it possible for a tribe to deny its ancestry?
2. Why does ethnicity matter in romantic relationships?

Web Resource: Ethnicity vs. Race

This source comprehensively compares race with ethnicity.

1. What is the difference between the definition of race and ethnicity?
2. What are the distinguishing factors between race and ethnicity?

 

8.2 Describe the difference between prejudice and discrimination

Video Link: Race, Racism, Prejudice and Discrimination - What are they?

This video provides an animation focused on what Race, Racism, Prejudice and Discrimination are - terms that are used commonly, but with very little knowledge as to what they mean.

1. How does this video define or describe race?
2. Why is there no such thing as a pure race?

Audio Link: Cops See it Differently, Part Two

This audio is the second part of the exploration into racial profiling and the killing of unarmed black men by police.

1. Do you think the Baltimore City riots after the death of Freddie Gray have made a difference in bringing attention to the treatment of African American males by big city police?
2. Do you think the video of the death of Walter Scott and the immediate imprisonment of the policeman who killed him in South Carolina prevented riots happening in that town?

Web Resource: Difference between Prejudice and Discrimination

This source explains the difference between prejudice and discrimination.

1. Explain three characteristics in which discrimination is often based.
2. Explain how prejudice can be both negative and positive.

 

8.3 Provide examples of dominant and minority group contact in the world today.

Video Link: Patterns of Dominant Groups   

This video details the patterns of dominant groups within society.

1. List and explain two types of patterns of dominant groups.
2. Provide one example of a pattern of dominant groups provided in the video.

Audio Link: Little War on the Prairie

This audio focuses on the mass execution of Dakota Indians in 1862.

1. Why do you think so many people do not learn about the war discussed in the audio?
2. Do you think discrimination or prejudice was the stronger factor in the war?

Web Resource: Dominant-Minority Relations

This source details several consequences of subordinate-group status.

1. Explain what segregation is and how it is measured in the United States.
2. Do you think fusion is the opposite of segregation? Why or why not?

 

8.4 Outline effects of prejudice, racism, and discrimination on minority and majority groups.

Video Link: Discrimination in US education system widespread for minorities

This video helps to explain the reasons why getting equal education in the United States is all but a dream for African Americans and other minorities. A government report now says whites are getting far better education in the country.

1. Has the promise of Brown v. Board of Education been delivered?
2. How early does discrimination begin in public education in the United States?

Audio Link: My Nority

This audio link is a poem spoken poem about minorities.

1. Does this audio suggest that the person is deviant due to ascribed characteristics?
2. Does this audio suggest that the person in the audio is able to socialize normally?

Web Resource: Understanding Racial and Ethnic Differences in Health in Late Life

This source provides details about discrimination and prejudice in the context of health care and aging.

1. Does racism and discrimination have adverse effects on health?
2. Briefly explain the effects, if any, of racism and discrimination on health.

 

8.5 Describe efforts to reduce racial and ethnic inequality at the micro-, meso-, and macro-levels of analysis.

Video Link: Are People Willing to Fix Racism? Social Experiment

This is a short video that tests whether random people are willing to agree to work to fix racism.

1. Who do you believe is the most sincere in the video and why?
2. This video does not address how to fix racism. What is your idea for fixing racism?

Audio Link: Self-Improvement Kick

This audio addresses the issue of self-image and self-improvement.

1. Why do you think South Korean girls are so openly preoccupied by their looks and their weight?
2. Would you make a “Peace Pilgrimage” longer than three days? Why or why not?

Web Resource: An Open Letter to Starbucks and ‘USA Today’

This source provides information related to a corporation’s efforts to publicly address the issue of race in America.

1. Why is the subject of race more open to more people in America today than some 40 years ago?
2. What do Starbucks and ‘USA Today’ hope to achieve through their Race Forward initiative?

 

8.6 Provide examples of policies affecting minority and dominant group relations.

Video Link: Racial Inequalities in the Justice System

This video highlights the mass incarceration of African Americans in the United States.

1. Provide two examples of the massive inequality in the US judicial system.
2. Explain the most distinguishing fact of the Oscar Grant case that stuck out to you.

Audio Link: Red State Blue State

This audio exemplifies the political division that has infested the United States.

1. Explain why a person of one party would not want to divulge his party alliance to people in a town where the politics are dominantly of the opposing party’s culture and views.
2. Why do you think American politics has become so polarized since the last two presidential elections?

Web Resource: The New Face of America: How Growing Minority Populations Affect U.S. Politics and Public Policy

This source is a transcript of a discussion of the current demographics in the United States that took place at the Brookings Institute.

1. Explain what the “demographic momentum” is a described by the speaker.
2. What does the United States’ national motto mean?

 

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9.1 Describe the difference between sex and gender.

Video Link: Human Sexuality is Complicated…

This video discusses how we should talk about sexuality, what is the difference between sex and gender...and between sexual orientation and sexual behavior.

1. What is the difference between sex and gender identity?
2. Explain how asexual is considered a sexual orientation.

Audio Link: Middle School

This audio explores the lives of middle school aged children in America.

1. Why are middle school dances such a big event in students’ lives?
2. Why is peer pressure, combined with hormones, so influential during middle school?

Web Resource: What is the difference between sex and gender?

This resource explains the difference between the terms used to describe sex and gender.

1. What does “gender roles” mean in sociological terms?
2. Explain, in your own words, the difference between sex and gender.

 

 9.2 Identify agents of gender socialization.

Video Link: Gender Socialization/Roles

This video demonstrates the differences between how men and women are perceived throughout society.

1. In the opening to the video, describe two main differences between how men are perceived from women throughout society.
2. How do these societal perceptions begin and continue to be reinforced? Provide three examples.

Audio Link: The Incredible Case of the P.I. Moms

This audio provides an example of traditional “mothers” in a very non-traditional career for moms.

1. Why do you think the reporter, Pete Crooks, thought the PI moms’ assignments would be simple, fun assignments?
2. Is it a form of gender stereotyping to assume that mom’s cannot work in the PI business? Why or why not?

Web Resource: Gender Socialization

This source explains in detail the issue of gender socialization.

1. What is gender socialization?
2. Explain how biology, family, education, and career choice all play a role in gender socialization.

 

9.3 Give example(s) of meso- and macro-level gender stratification.

Video Link: Gender Stratification

This video provides visual information related to societies expectations and gender roles.

1. According to the video, what are gender roles?
2. How does the girl’s mannerisms and voice inflections help to explain gender roles?

Audio Link: Old Boys Network

This audio exemplifies the gender roles in which men and women are expected to play within society and the consequences when those gender roles are violated.

1. Due to gender stratification, explain why it was so easy for the “system” to work against the nurses who reported the doctors for putting patients in danger.
2. Explain what “the old boys’ network” means to you in terms of gender stratification.

Web Resource: Gender Stratification Theory

This article explains gender stratification theory as it relates to conflict theory.

1. Explain the inverse relation of the degree of gender stratification to the level of economic power women can mobilize.
2. Explain what Blumberg means when he uses the term “discount rate.”

 

 9.4 Illustrate the relationship between minority status and gender and sexual orientation.

Video Link: Hidden Minorities

This is a short documentary about the true diversity in certain minority groups, and how inaccurate portrayals in the media create incorrect assumptions about people in these minority groups.

1. Do mistaken assumptions regarding any type of minority (race, gender, religion) seem to be easier to make than others? Why or why not?
2. What is the harm or risk in making assumptions about someone’s race, gender, religion, etc.?

Audio Link: Dawn

This audio addresses sexuality and gender issues in the “old south” of the United States.

1. Why was publishing anything about Dawn such a bad idea as far as Jack’s father was concerned?
2. How are the cultural mores changing in America as it relates to gender identity?

Web Resource: Resolution on Gender and Sexual Orientation Diversity in Children and Adolescents in Schools

This document attempts to provide guidance in dealing with issues of gender and sexual orientation throughout the school setting.

1. How does this document describe “gender diversity”?
2. Describe three consequences of stigma and minority stress that resonate with you and explain why?

 

9.5 Discuss costs and consequences of gender stratification.

Video Link: Emma Watson Emotional & Powerful Speech at UN About Gender Inequality

This video provides an example of the beginning of a worldwide campaign for ending gender inequality.

1. How does Emma Watson define feminism?
2. Provide two examples of gender stratification that Emma Watson provides in her speech.

Audio Link: Valentine’s Day 2008

This audio focuses on men, women, and love.

1. In terms of gender stratification, why do you think Veronica’s father prepared so differently for their trip to Mexico?
2. Is it possible that, through gender stratification, men and women view monogamy differently? Why or why not?

Web Resource: The Cost of Gender Inequality

This source details the societal costs of gender inequality.

1. What percentage of sexual assaults worldwide are against adolescent girls of 15 years of age or below?
2. What are the four factor that this source states are limiting opportunities for women and girls to make choices about their own sexual and reproductive lives?

 

9.6 Predict social policies that could decrease gender stratification.

Video Link: Violence against women—it's a men's issue

This video features Jackson Katz, Phd, who is an anti-sexist activist and expert on violence, media and masculinities. Katz is the creator and co-founder of the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) program, which advocates the 'bystander approach' to sexual and domestic violence prevention.

1. Why is it important for men to honor women’s leadership in gender violence?
2. Provide the reasons why it is incorrect to say that gender violence is a women’s issue.

Audio Link: Image Makers

This audio helps to highlight the importance of the image you project onto society.

1. Why do you think the concept of manliness is so important to some men?
2. How does the box of Doug’s belongings help to build his “healthy” image for his son?

Web Resource: Reducing Gender Inequality

This source focuses on the concept of reducing gender inequality in real world terms.

1. How does a sociological perspective help to explain gender inequality?
2. Provide three steps to reduce gender inequality you believe are possible and explain why.

 

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10.1 Discuss how definitions of families are socially constructed and change over time.

Video Link: The Role of Family and Social Change

This video helps to explain why families as an institution, despite enormous changes in their forms, somehow endures and continues to play a uniquely important role in society.

1. Explain two changes that has occurred that has effected the role of the family in a child’s life.
2. Name the other forms of society that a family is attached to even though families have changed over time.

Audio Link: Father’s Day 2011

This audio focuses on the father, a focal point of the family.

1. How is it possible for a “family” to develop from a prison friendship and why was it so important to the father and son?
2. Do you think a man saying “I love you” has something to do with gender stratification?

Web Resource: The Changing American Family

This article focuses on the variations of the family in today’s multicultural society.

1. Based on this article, what is “the typical American family?”
2. Explain two emerging themes from the family studies mentioned in the article.

 

10.2 Illustrate different patterns of mate selection.

Video Link: Attraction and Mate Selection

This video focuses on the concepts and process of attraction and mate selection.

1. What is the main explanations for why someone enters into a relationship?
2. What is the single most common scenario regarding how people fall in love?

Audio Link: Slow to React – Isn’t it Slow-Mantic

This audio focuses on life changing events that take a very long time to evolve.

1. What was it about Mark’s true love that kept him looking for her?
2. What was it that prevented Mark’s true love from marrying him?

Web Resource: Variation in human mate choice: Simultaneously investigating heritability, parental influence, sexual imprinting, and assortative mating

This article provides detailed information on how humans find their mates.

1. Based on the article, explain two different ways in which romantic partners are similar.
2. Explain the influence of parents as a nongenetic factor in mate choice.

 

10.3 Provide examples of how families interact with other institutions.

Video Link: Institutions part 1 – education, family, religion  

This video helps to explain how institutions provide structure and support for a society, specifically education, family, and religion.

1. How do teachers put students into categories and how does this limit students’ potential?
2. Name the three different forms of family named in the video.

Audio Link: Ten Years In

This audio focuses on the people and families drastically affected by the attacks on 9/11.

1. How does the institution of the family react to the institution of the commemoration of 9/11?
2. Why do you think some families look forward to 9/12 each year?

Web Resource: Cultural Trends, Social Movements & Institutions Affecting and Affected by the Family

This source provides information regarding certain social attributes that affect or are affected by the family.

1. Is marital happiness lesser or greater in religiously homogenous unions?
2. How has the family system metamorphosed since industrialization and the expansion of the service economy?

 

10.4 Describe controversial issues concerning the family today. 

Video Link: Controversial family theme debated at Vatican assembly of bishops

This video explains that a summit is being described as a possible milestone in a clash between the conservative and liberal forces in the Roman Catholic Church.

1. Explain why the summit is considered so important to the family?
2. Name two issues affecting the family that are being discussed at the summit.

Audio Link: A House Divided – Don’t Make Me Separate You

This audio is about a family that went through a divorce that actually seemed to never happen.

1. Did the divorce make this family weaker or stronger?
2. In reality, does a family have to have parents who are married to remain a “family?”

Web Resource: Changes and Issues Affecting American Families

This source details the family, especially from a statistical standpoint.

1. What does this resource state about couples who have cohabitated before marriage and divorce rates?
2. How does childhood poverty in the United States compare to other Western democracies?

 

10.5 Explain the formal and informal structures of schools.

Video Link: About nonformal learning  

This video helps to explain the difference between formal, nonformal, and informal learning.

1. What is the difference between formal and informal learning?
2. Describe nonformal learning.

Audio Link: Kid Politics – Minor Authorities

This audio provides the perspective of politics from a kid’s perspective due to innovative teaching techniques.

1. What are free schools modeled after?
2. What type of learning would you categorize the Brooklyn Free School?

Web Resource: Formal vs. Informal Education

This source provides detailed information on the difference between formal and informal education.

1. Provide two differences between formal and informal education.
2. Explain one benefit to either formal or informal education.

 

10.6 Present evidence that schools contribute to the reproduction of social class.

Video Link: Social Reproduction, Cultural Capital, Bourdieu and the Jam  

This video provides a perspective on education in regards to social class.

1. What does Bourdieu say about standardized exams and social class?
2. How does Bourdieu use the term “cultural capital?”

Audio Link: Back to Penn State

This audio focuses on Penn State and its reputation as a party school since the scandal involving its football team.

1. Explain how Penn State affected Winereb’s life before and after the scandal.
2. Explain how Penn State fans were affected by the scandal and why violence became a part of the reaction.

Web Resource: The Social Reproduction of Inequality

This source provides information on the conflict theorists’ viewpoint of education and social and economic inequalities.

1. How has the United States’ educational system reinforced inequality rather than overcoming it?
2. According to conflict theory, how do schools convey to students knowledge and appropriate behavior?

 

 

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11.1 Explain the components and functions of religion.

Video Link: 8 Elements of Religion

This video shares eight elements commonly found in religions as listed by Michael Molloy in his book, "Experiencing the World's Religions."

1. What are the components to the definition of religion and what do they mean to the overall definition of religion?
2. What are four of the eight elements of religion?

Audio Link: Functions of Religion

This audio discusses the definition and function of religion.

1. What are the two main categories of religion as determined by Robert Merton?
2. Describe two functions of religion as described in the audio.

Web Resource: Religion – Meaning, Definitions and Components of Religion

This source provides detailed information regarding the many facets of religion.

1. Explain why religion is an important social institution.
2. Explain the meaning of religion as described by this source.

 

11.2 Discuss the process of becoming religious.

Video Link: My first steps in becoming religious

In this video, Rabbi Alon Anava speaks about his first steps in becoming religious. This is part of a long lecture about his personal near death experience.

1. What did Rabbi Alon Anava describe regarding the difficulty in becoming religious?
2. How does Rabbi Alon Anava describe his process of becoming religious in the beginning in Chicago?

Audio Link: Know When to Fold ‘Em – Is this War or is this Hearts?

This audio describes a man’s interaction with his evangelical Christian family after he determined that religion was not all he thought it was once he went to school to study it.

1. How does David explain the scientific proof he used with his brother to point out fallacies in the Bible?
2. How did David’s father find religion and what purpose does it serve in his life?

Web Resource: Four steps to hearing your call

This source explains how, throughout the ages, people have struggled to understand God’s call to them. It explains that four basic steps of discernment—becoming aware, gathering information, making a decision, and looking for confirmation of your choice—can help.

1. According to this source, what is the importance of discernment in becoming religious?
2. What role does the community play in helping one become religious?

 

11.3 Describe how the United States became a “denominational society.”

Video Link: Religion in America – Mainline Protestantism in the 20^th Century

This video discusses a number of features "mainline" churches have in common, and the origins of a number of these churches in mergers within denominational families, on the one hand, and shedding theological conservatives and fundamentalists, on the other hand.

1. Name three mainline Protestantism churches.
2. What does the lecturer explain as the main catalyst for the change in denominations in the United States in the 1960s and why was it such a major catalyst?

Audio Link: The Devil in Me

This audio focuses on the issue of hate and demonization within society.

1. Where does the voice that the people in Act Two generally come from?
2. From Act Three, explain how David comes to the conclusion that the devil may not actually exist and what that does to his entire religious belief system.

Web Resource: History of Religion in America

This source provides detailed information regarding the history of religion in America.

1. How many different denominations of faith did the splintering of Christianity in the United States create?
2. What type of deity did Native Americans worship and where did they believe it existed?

 

11.4 Compare the functionalist and conflict perspectives on religion.

Video Link: Sociology of Religion: Marx, Weber & Durkheim

This video details religion according to Marx, Durkheim, and Weber.

1. Were Marx, Durkheim or Weber religious and name one other aspect of their views of religion in which they agreed?
2. What was Marx’s main philosophy regarding religion as compared to Durkheim’s?

Audio Link: Enemy Camp - Confession

This audio is about a monk whose specialty is to deal with scandal.

1. How did the monk use his religion to deal with conflict?
2. How would you characterize the monk’s

Web Resource: Functional-Conflict Perspectives

This source provides details regarding religion from a functionalist and conflict perspective.

1. What is moral authority as defined by Durkheim?
2. Explain how religion constitutes a reversal of the true situation.

 

11.5 Predict the future role of religion in the modern world.

Video Link: What Does The Future Of Religion Look Like?

This video focuses on the prediction of the outlook of religion over the next 35 years.

1. Which two religions make up more than half of the world’s population?
2. What affect will conversion have on the future of religion?

Audio Link: Mortal vs. Venial

This audio addresses the varying degrees or differences in sinning.

1. Provide an example of a mortal sin from the audio.
2. Provide an example of a venial sin from the audio.

Web Resource: Religion Faces an Unrecognizable Future

This source addresses the future of religion and the evolutionary process it will go through over the next 100 years.

1. What are the three major stresses that are pulling apart the historic religions?
2. Explain in detail two of the responses to the challenges that the future of religion faces as explained in this article.

 

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 12.1 Describe the sociological definition of power.

Video Link: Power and Resistance - Perception of Power

This video addresses the topic of power and perception and the different ways of viewing them.

1. Do political positions imply power?
2. Is resistance a form of power in itself?

Audio Link: Living Without (2011)

This audio emphasizes the concept of power through the viewpoint of people who have given up certain things they love.

1. Why do certain objects, such as a pacifier, have such power over humans?
2. Was it baseball or something else that had power over Bobby Morris?

Web Resource: Power

This source provides many different sociological concepts of power.

1. How does Parsons view power differently than Weber and Marx?
2. Explain the most common sociological definition of power.

 

12.2 Discuss the importance of power and privilege in societies.

Video Link: Money on the Mind

This video addresses the behavior of drivers of different types of cars based on the perception of wealth.

1. Are more privileged people more likely to break the rule? Why or why not?
2. Is privilege real or imagine, earned or given?

Audio Link: Who Do You Think You Are?

This audio portrays the characteristics of privilege and how people behave when they have it.

1. Why do some people feel as though they do not have to obey the rules that others must obey?
2. Is it possible for the privileged to understand the oppressed point of view?

Web Resource: Why it's important to think about privilege - and why it's hard

This source provides insight into the world of privilege and lack of resources.

1. What does the author mean by “power imbalances that I am a part of?”
2. How does this author explain or define privilege?

 

12.3 Compare the key points of the pluralist and elite theories of power.

Video Link: Classical Elite Theory

This video addresses the concept of elite theory and its effect within society.

1. How does this video describe oligarchy?
2. What are the two main types of elite theory and what are their key differences?

Audio Link: Americans in China

This audio details the American experience in China.

1. Based on how Americans are treated in China, do you think they are viewed as dissimilar to the Chinese?
2. Do you believe the Chinese treatment of Americans is disempowering?

Web Resource: Theories of Power – Alternative Theoretical Views

This source helps to explain in detail the various theories that explain power structures, particularly in the United States.

1. How does this source explain the concept of pluralism?
2. Do you think the United States fits more into a state autonomy theory or elite theory? Explain your answer.

 

12.4 Explain why some people participate in political systems and others do not.

Video Link: Using social media to create a more participatory political system

This video explains CitizenBridge which is a Democracy 2.0 platform designed to facilitate a two-way conversation between citizens and their elected officials.

1. Why does an organization such as CitizenBridge need to exist in order to get people more involved in politics?
2. Why is there such a lack of trust with the general population regarding politics?

Audio Link: Take the Money and Run for Office

This audio addresses the issue of money and politics.

1. Do most people in the general populace have access to the fundraising that takes place in politics?
2. Does the process of fundraising run the risk of causing people to decide to not be involved in the political process?

Web Resource: Participating in Government

This source details the ways in which people may be active in the political process.

1. Explain two ways in which people may become involved in the political process.
2. What are the four social and economic characteristics that are strongly associated with high levels of political participation?

 

12.5 Describe the major types of governmental systems in operation today.

Video Link: Political Systems

This video helps to explain the creation of political systems and their impact on a nation and its people.

1. What did John Locke believe about the job of the government?
2. What are the components of a democratic government?

Audio Link: Continental Breakup

This audio focuses on the European debt crisis and its potential worldwide effects.

1. Why was the Euro created?
2. What major world event caused the Euro to become more necessary?

Web Resource: What Are the Different Types of Governments?

This source provides details about many different types of governments throughout the world.

1. Explain in detail two different types of governments.
2. Which type of government(s) listed on this source is most like the United States and why?

 

12.6 Provide examples of the threats political systems can face from internal and external groups vying for power.

Video Link: Homeland Security in Israel - Module I - Terrorism Threats and the Legal Environment

This video on Homeland Security in Israel focuses on the threat environment and the legal and political realities within which Israeli counterterrorism and homeland security policies operate.

1. Explain the two types of terror threats Israel has faced in recent years.
2. Provide an example of an actual mega-terrorist attack that occurred in Israel.

 

Audio Link: What Kind of Country

This audio highlights the financial threats to local and state governments across the United States and the effects this is having on how government runs.

1. Which is more costly to society, more police or more highway fatalities?
2. Which is more costly to society, more police or more crime?

Web Resource: Political Threats to Global Prosperity

This source focuses on the details of political threats to global prosperity.

1. What are the three components of the coalition of the political threat to global prosperity?
2. How have advanced economies, with political foundations of global prosperity, continued to prosper?  

 

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13.1 Illustrate the pattern of the world’s population growth over time.

Video Link: World Population

This video provides a graphic description of world population growth from 1 A.D.

1. What does the video say about the environments capacity to support the world’s population’s resource needs?
2. Describe how the video shows the growth of the world’s population since 1 A.D.

Audio Link: Trends with Benefits

This audio discusses the many reasons for increased rates of people on disability benefits.

1. Explain two theories discussed regarding the reasons so many people in Hale County are on disability.
2. How does population growth explain the increased rate of people requiring disability benefits?

Web Resource: Demographic Transition: An Historical Sociological Perspective

This source details the trend in world population growth since the year 1000 and projects it to the year 2050.

1. What are the four global environmental changes associated with rapid population growth?
2. Explain the concept of demographic transition.

 

13.2 Discuss the relationship between institutions and population patterns including fertility, mortality, and migration.

Video Link: Population Size Changers

This video helps to explain the relationship between different populations.

1. According to the video, what must take place for a population to grow?
2. How does a zero population growth rate occur?

Audio Link: Immigration

This audio focuses on a 1996 immigration law that the immigration service itself says is unfair.

1. What are two types of offenses that would get you deported that previously would not?
2. Why has the 1996 immigration law gotten people involved in politics who otherwise would avoid it?

Web Resource: The effect on population structure of fertility, mortality and migration

This source details the effects on population growth or the lack thereof.

1. What are the three causes of the reduced role of fertility in being a determinant of population growth?
2. Historically, what are the most dangerous ages?

 

13.3 Describe individual decisions that affect population patterns.

Video Link: Earth 2025: POPULATION EXPLOSION - AFTERMATH (Full Documentary)

This video addresses the issue of excessive population growth.

1. How many people currently live on the earth?
2. How many people do scientists estimate lived on earth in 10,000 B.C.?

Audio Link: Small Towns

This audio focuses on small towns and the issues and nuances that come with living in them.

1. What is one negative aspect of living in a small town?
2. What is one positive aspect of living in a small town?

Web Resource: Human Impact on the Environment & Environmental Impact on Humans

This source explains the impact that humans have had and continue to have on the natural environment and each other.

1. Explain the concept of an ecological footprint.
2. Where does most of the global population now live?

 

13.4 Explain national and global urbanization trends.

Video Link: Megacities Reflect Growing Urbanization Trend

This video focuses on the city of Dhaka, Bangladesh which has a booming population but is one of the world’s poorest mega-cities.

1. How many migrants move to Dhaka per year?
2. What percentage of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050?

Audio Link: The Middle of Nowhere

This audio discusses five massive areas in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that are filling with plastic trash.

1. Why is the plastic trash unregulated?
2. What type of garbage is seen on some of the plastic trash piles?

Web Resource: World Urbanization Prospects

The United Nations document provides detailed information regarding world urbanization.

1. Provide and explain two key fact to the 2014 world urbanization trends.
2. What are some of the main benefits of urban living?

 

13.5 Predict the environmental and other impacts of human movements to urban areas.

Video Link: Human population dynamics   

This video explains the factors that influence human population growth trends.

1. What is the issue for sustainability?
2. What are some of the reasons for predicting population growth trends?

Audio Link: Urban Nature

This audio focuses on the issue of nature encroaching into man-made environments.

1. Do humans always consider nature as being beautiful and not to be disturbed?
2. How has the urban environment adapted to control nature?

Web Resource: The human impact on biological diversity. How species adapt to urban challenges sheds light on evolution and provides clues about conservation

This article examines the human impact on the environment, specifically on biological diversity.

1. Why have cities become ideal environments for the study of natural selection?
2. What are the three valuable properties of business parks?

 

 

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14.1 Give examples of how change takes place at each level of analysis.

Video Link: Changing society: the essential connections between the micro - mezzo and macro level

This video provides an explanation of how to change society at different levels of society.

1. From what level of society does change come?
2. In order for change to occur, what must we do?

Audio Link: Social Engineering

This audio discusses the idea of social engineering at the micro level.

1. Is it possible to change a person’s genetics simply by making a decision?
2. Explain how being an interrupter is considered a form of social engineering.

Web Resource: Applying Sociology within various Society Levels

This source provides detailed information on the difference levels of society.

1. Why is it important to understand how societies are arranged?
2. Explain each level of society: 1) Micro, 2) Meso, and 3) Macro.

14.2 Explain how stresses and strains can lead to organizational change.

Video Link: Organizational Behavior: Topic Stress

This video helps to explain the stresses and strains of society.

1. Explain how attitude make a difference in how a person deals with stress.
2. According to the video, what is the definition of stress?

Audio Link: Back to School

This audio focuses on the educational system and how to teach kids.

1. Explain in detail three non-cognitive skills as discussed in the audio.
2. Is it possible to teach non-cognitive skills?

Web Resource: Causes and Cures of Stress in Organizations

This source provides information regarding stress and how to deal with it.

1. According to this source, what is the definition of stress?
2. What are the three stages of the general adaptation syndrome model?

 

14.3 List the six factors necessary for collective behavior to occur.

Video Link: Collective Behavior Civil Disturbances, Part 1

Presented by the United States Army, this film examines the psychological nature of American civil disturbances in effort to prepare military policeman to rationally manage the danger of such occurrences.

1. What civil disturbance does the video explain is the reason for the beginning of the United States?
2. Why is the line between civil dissent and civil disturbance so narrow?

Audio Link: Mob Mentality

This audio discusses the collective behavior in the form of a mob.

1. How does the audio describe a mob?
2. What is it that changes a crowd into a mob?

Web Resource: Questions on Collective Behavior and Social Movements

This source provides a series of questions and answers on the topic of collective behavior and social movements.

1. Explain the difference between collective behavior and social movements.
2. What causes crowds to use violence?

 

14.4 Provide examples of the difference between planned and unplanned change.

Video Link: Factors that Cause Change in Organizations: Planned and Unplanned

This video explains the different types of change within an organization.

1. How was the layoff explained as planned or unplanned for Robert and Cheapo Toys?
2. Was the decision to expand a planned change that created unplanned external forces of change? Why or why not?

Audio Link: The New Boss

This audio details experiences of being a boss at a new job.

1. Do you think the people who move Dave into the management position planned for that change due to information they had about his coworkers?
2. Do you think Dave’s reaction to his management position, for him, was expected or unexpected?

Web Resource: Factors that Cause Change in Organizations: Planned and Unplanned

This source details the difference between planned and unplanned change.

1. What is the difference between planned and unplanned change?
2. What are external and internal factors?

14.5 Illustrate the stages of social movements.

Video Link: Social movements - a primer: Toby Chow at TEDxUofIChicago

This video focuses on inspiring social change.

1. How does real social change occur?
2. What is remarkable about past social movements?

Audio Link: The Kids are Alright

This audio focuses on students who become involved in many different types of social activities, including political events and violent protests.

1. Are the purposes of all social movements understood by those who observe them?
2. Do all social movements begin with violent intentions?

Web Resource: Four Stages of Social Movements

This article defines a social movement and details each stage of the model of a social movement.            

1. Explain how this article defines a social movement.
2. Explain each of the four stages of a social movement: 1) Emergence, 2) Coalescence. 3) Bureaucratization, and 4) Decline.

14.6 Describe how the development of technology brings about change in societies and their environments.

Video Link: Can We Auto-Correct Humanity?

This video highlights the effects of technology on society.

1. How has social media become anti-social?
2. Why would abandoning our cell phones and computers bring us closer together?

Audio Link: How we talked back then

This audio goes back in time to the age before the internet took hold on society.

1. Do you think the way people communicated in letter writing in 1996 & 1997 is different than how they do in email writing now? Why or why not?
2. Since the development of the internet from 1997, would it be necessary for a “letter reading” event to take place now as did in 1996 & 1997? Why or why not?

Web Resource: Factors of Change

This source focuses on the factors of change that create social change throughout society.

1. Explain how isolation and contact affects social change.
2. What does this source explain as to the technological factors that contribute to social change?