#10 What I have learned in Introduction to Sociology.

           It is quite interesting that the class has started in summer, however, now Christmas is coming soon. It is true that time goes by so fast. Honestly, I wasn't that interested in sociology class. However, as the course progressed, it became more and more interesting. While I was taking in Introduction to Sociology, I have learned so many things during this semester. I would like to talk about three things that I was interested in more than the other subjects.

            First, I have learned that creating social norms, reacting to them and following them isn’t sociology but beyond it. It is how we see the world from not only our perspective but also by others too. Sociology is the study of society and human social interaction. Social interactions and their consequences is the subject of sociology. I have learned how the shaping of a society depends on the shaping of the individual itself.

            Second, I believe that the education is the strongest weapon to move up their social class. As I have learned in the class, there are many different social classes in our society; Upper class, middle class, working class, and lower class. Moreover, throughout the inequality and unequal distribution, in lower class people were suffering from poverty. In order to overcome poverty in lower class, we need the education seriously. Furthermore, in chapter 9 mostly talks about social class and global inequality. Especially, chapter 9 was the most interesting chapter for me. I didn't recognize that the United Stated has the same problem as my country which is South Korea. Our country has an unequal distribution and poverty in lower class too.

            Finally, I have learned what deviance is. In chapter 8 says that “Deviance, behavior that does not conform to basic cultural norms and expectations, and its relationship to these questions of self and identity.” I was really curious how people consider whether who deviance is or not. Moreover, Deviance could relate with social culture, structure, and power.

            In conclusion, I am really happy that I met great sociology professor and classmate so that I could learn more about sociology in this semester. Thank you for everything. 

#9 Race and Ethnicity

   
       The article, "The Hispanic Dropout Mystery: A Staggering 30 Percent Leave School, Far More Than Blacks or Whites. Why? by Susan Headden" talks about the dropout rate for Hispanic students. It mentions that there are some reason why the dropout rate for children of American-born Hispanics is higher than the other races. First, language is one of the barrier to Hispanic academic success. However, main problem is the one third of Hispanic children live in poverty. Also, the lack of academic tradition, many Hispanic parents don't aware of education as much of American schools as whites and blacks do. For the solution, the school have to focus on more Hispanics. From the article, I realized that education is the most important thing in our society and also school should have right system to equally teach their students, take care of their students more.

#8 Chapter 9- Class and Global inequality

     
       In Chapter 9, a textbook talks about social class and inequality. There are four different major U.S. social classes : Capitalist(or Upper)class, Middle class, Working class, and Underclass(or Lower)class. Throughout those four different classes in the United Stated, the textbook explains that there are class inequality and unequal distribution. However, it also mentions that people have chance to move from one social class to another. It is called class mobility. Later on, it talks about the impact of class inequality on social life such as health, education, work, politics, and lifestyle. Moreover, chapter 9 explains about class inequality causes the poverty.
        The article called "Cause of Death: Inequality by Alejandro Reuss" is quite related with chapter 9. It discusses the relationship between social inequality and health. It mentions that there are health dangers between lower-income families and higher-income families in the United States. It also indicates that comparison of the level of income inequality for lower class and higher class. Lastly, it says that "greater income inequality causes worse health outcomes independent of its effects on poverty"(2) which is related with chapter 9. I believe that because of the big gap of income inequality between lower class and higher class, so many problems were caused.
      The video "People Like Us: Social Class in America by Louis Alvarez and Andrew Kolker" also talks about the social class in America. I was quite interesting the first video which was basically explaining that people were guessing what social class they belong to based on their appearance with only seeing the pictures. Even though I grew up in lower class, I was trying to wear nice looking clothes.  I was quite caring about what people think about me. Even my mom told me that you should wear nice jacket so that people don't think you are in lower class. It is really ironic. Back to the point, Social inequality exists in our society. However, I believe social mobility and my ability!!!!!!!!!!

#7 Deviance & Race and Class in the American Criminal Justice System

      Chapter 8 explains that relationship between deviance and three social factors which are culture, structure, and power. Deviance is behavior that differs from cultural norms, especially a person whose behavior and attitudes differ from accepted social standards. Example of deviance we covered in class were running red light, prostitution, stealing and violence etc. Cultural norms define what people in society views as normal or deviant. We are following these norms through socialization and across cultures. Sometimes, deviance can result from unsuccessful or inadequate socialization. In such cases, people engaged in deviant behavior have not thoroughly internalized social norms and are not fully regulated by the moral framework of society. Through interactions in the small groups that form the basis for social structure, people learn norms and expectations about appropriate behavior. People can either reinforce or challenge norms about deviance through their actions. Those in society with few resources-money, power, education, or leisure- sometimes engage in deviant behavior in pursuit of these socially valued goods. Those who are stigmatized as deviant often experience isolation or discrimination that can contribute further to social, economic, or political inequalities.

      The article "Race and Class in the American Criminal Justice System" by David Cole talks about discrimination. Using example of O.J. Simpson's case, he explains that whites have more advantages than blacks.For example, whites could buy a good attorney. He also states that the issues of race and class are present in every criminal case. Racial inequality remains to this day the most formidable of our social problems. The criminal justice system designed to prevent crime and punish those who commit crimes. However, inequality and discrimination are still existing in our society. It is quite sad to read this article. We must aware of it.

#4 Social Structure(The Meaning of Social Control)

      To better understand human behavior, we need to understand social structure. Social structure refers to a society's framework, which forms boundaries around us and sets limits on our behavior. The individual's location in the social structure affects his or her perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. Culture, social class, social status, roles, groups, and institutions are the major components of the social structure. We can see social structure at the micro level (for example, in the structure of talk), the meso level (for example, in organizational structure), or the macro level (for example, in the structure of work).

      In order for a society to function and benefit the people, social control is essential. According to Peter Berger, there are eight sources of social control, "1. violence, 2.Economic rewards and punishments, 3. Ridicule and gossip and fear of being belittled, 4. Ostracism or threat of being removed, 5. Fraud and deception and actions to manipulate others to conform, 6. belief systems and the use of ideology to induce individuals to conform, 7. pressures from close friends, peers, and relatives to conform and 8. the contract, actions controlled by the stipulations of a formal agreement."

      In my opinion, the most influential social institution in the United States is the media. Virtually impossible to avoid, media in the United States is fed to the people via internet, billboards, smartphones, television, magazines, and more. The media is consistently adapting to America's attitudes towards convenience over quality. If the media is interpreted correctly, it can be used as a tool to improve society, but more often then not the media can create harmful results.

#3 Culture ( Body Ritual Among the Nacirema)

      In chapter 3, I have learned about culture. Culture is the language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and material objects that are important enough to pass on to future generations of a society. Language, gestures, values, perception and categorization of experiences, actions, norms, interaction of social structures, and struggle for scarce resources are differentiated one culture from another. Culture affects how we perceive things which guides our thoughts and actions must be studied while keeping these differences in mind.
     
      There are three theories; Structural functional theory, conflict theory, and symbolic interaction theory. Structural functional theory is a theoretical framework in which society is viewed as a whole unit, composed of interrelated parts, each with a function that, when fulfilled, contributes to society's equilibrium.Conflict theory is a theoretical perspective that society is viewed as being composed of groups competing for scarce resources. Symbolic interaction theory is focusing on how people use symbols to establish meaning, develop their views of the world, and communicate with one another.

      The article "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema" by Horace Miner is fundamental belief underlying the whole system appears to be that the human body is ugly and that its natural tendency is to debility and disease. Incarcerated in such a body, man's only hope is to avert these characteristics through the use of ritual and ceremony. Every household has one or more shrines devoted to this purpose.

#2 (Sense and Nonsense About Surveys)&(The Stanford Prison Experiment)

    <Sense and Nonsense About Surveys>

       The article "Sense and Nonsense About Surveys" by Howard Schuman is briefly discussing the importance of sampling in surveys and how a survey is affected by its own form and content.
       He states that regardless of population size, the sample size needed to achieve a certain degree of precision remains the same. He also talks about how important as sampling method which considers who is included in the sample and who is missing.
       In addition, he points out that things as simple as variation in wording or question order can impact survey results. However, if the wording and order are kept constant over time, reliable correlations can be measured.
       Finally, he mentions that interpretation of survey results must be comparative: " a 75 percent rating of lectures as 'excellent' takes on a quite different meaning depending on whether the average for other lecture courses is 50 percent or 90 percent". It emphasizes that it is important to use a comparative analysis for easy to understand and compare the results of different survey researchers with regard to socially sensitive subjects.
       This article is quite understandable how to interpret and evaluate the surveys and polls with right guidelines.

 <The Stanford Prison Experiment>

      The Stanford Prison Experiment shows that the powerful role that the situation can play in human behavior. The 24 volunteers were randomly assigned to either the prisoner group or the guard group. The prisoners were to remain in the mock prison 24-hours a day for the duration of the study. Guards, on the other hand, were assigned to work in three-man teams for eight-hour shifts.
      Because the guards were placed in a position of power, they began to behave in ways they would not normally act in their everyday lives or in other situations. The prisoners, placed in a situation where they had no real control, became passive and depressed. It was quite interesting to see how human behaves with variable situation. However, I believe that using human for experiment would be considering to an unethical research.