Thursday, June 2, 2011

Theories of Social Change

Make a prediction about what might happen in the U.S. and Egypt. What might to individual freedoms in the next decade in those two countries?

Refer to the video about Egypt's revolution

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/revolution-in-cairo/

 and the video about the increased surveillance in the United States as a result of the "war on terror."

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/homefront/view/

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Targeting the Audience: How Mass Media Specializes by Race

1. Do most of the shows you watch on major network TV feature White actors? Have you ever really thought about the lack of minority leading characters in major network shows? How are the minority group characters portrayed in the shows you watch?


2. Do you think that it is important for minority group figures to be visible on major network television? Why or why not?

Refer to our data set created today.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Uses of the Media

Which perspective is the most useful to understand the media? Functionalist, Conflict, or Feminist.

Make 3 comments using evidence from the film, background knowledge, and the class notes.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Urbanization and Demography in the late 19th century

How did changing demography shape our cities in the late 19th century?

Use evidence from the documents to make your case.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Living Old:Steps for America

Prepare a PowerPoint report about Living Old In America:

How can we best adapt to our aging population?

Give a five step about how we can deal with our aging population.

Step 1:  What are the statistics and trends about aging? What do we need still need to research?

Step 2: What steps to we need to in terms or healthcare, housing, retirement funding? What does the research say?

Step 3: What cultural changes do we need to make to accomodate the aging population? What does the research say about this?

Step 4: What education or outreach do we need to make to politicians and policymakers? What groups are working on this issue?

Step 5: What are the challenges for families and children of aging people? How will you help them? What does the research say?

Possible Resources:

http://www.aarp.org/relationships/caregiving/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/livingold/stories/


http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/livingold/issues/

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Census 2020

Create a Census Form for the year 2020. You can have as many questions as you need with a minumum of ten. After each question, explain why you designed that question.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

American Health Care System

Which option would be the best to improve our healthcare system? Explain
Use evidence from the public agenda site below:

http://www.publicagenda.org/citizen/issueguides/health-care

Use Competition to Make the System More Efficient



The main problem with the healthcare system is that costs keepgoing up. All the other problems inthe health care system stem fromthis and won't be solved until wegive everyone real choices andthe ability to take responsibility forwhat they spend on care. Thatmeans reducing regulation andusing free market competition toallow insurers to offer a widerrange of plans. We should alsoembrace managed care, whichwatches expenses carefully andhas already slowed down theincrease in health care costs. Bymoving further in the direction ofmanaged care, and adoptingmedical savings accounts, whichencourage individuals to saveand shop around for health care,well be able to bring down costsand cover more people.

Read



Expand the Current System to Cover More People



We dont need to rip up theexisting health care system andstart over. We already have thebest high-tech medical centers inthe world and insurance programsin place that cover 85 percent ofAmericans. We can just extendthose proven programs, publicand private, to cover morepeople. We can also give employersfinancial incentives to covermore of their employees. Thefederal government already haseffective health programs for theelderly (Medicare), the poor(Medicaid), low-income children(CHIP) and its own employees. Ifwe expand the eligibility for thoseplans, well be able to cover moreuninsured people with the leastdisruption to those who alreadyhave insurance. Gradually expandingthe current system is themost practical way to cover morepeople without breaking thebudget



Create a National Health Care System

Decent health care ought to be abasic right, not something thatdepends on the job you hold. Ourpatchwork health care system ofprivate insurance and governmentprograms simply isnt working.Its time to try what Canadaand most European countriesalready have: a national, government-run health care system. Thesystem would work much likeMedicare, except that everyonewould be entitled to coverage,regardless of age, income or jobstatus. Like Medicare, youd stillpick your own doctor, but thegovernment would get the bill.Weve debated what to do abouthealth care for years, but nothingelse has solved the problem. This isthe only way to solve the problemof the uninsured, once and for all

Thursday, May 5, 2011

One the Line:Mapping Activity

http://ontheline.trincoll.edu/

Based on your analysis of these maps and the various locations, how have the neighborhoods and communities of Connecticut changed over time? Use specific details from your analysis to support your conclusions.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The decade of the 1950s deserves its reputation

Evaluate the following statement:



"The decade of the 1950s deserves its reputation as an age of political, social and cultural conformity."

Use the document at the following site to evaluate this statement:


http://www.ecfs.org/ushist/since40/units/unit2/supplements/dbq1950.html

You may agree or disagree in whole or in part with the quotation. Whatever position you take, be sure to address the who, what, when and especially the why in your response. Be sure to address the counter-argument, what historians might say in opposition to your thesis. Remember that "conformity" can include the ideas of "consensus" and "complacency," so be sure to define your terms carefully. Do not forget to consider the point of view of the source, particularly regarding class, race and gender.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Segregation, Housing, and Hartford

Why did Hartford become so segregated by race and class?

Review the online book entitled, On the Line.

http://ontheline.trincoll.edu/

Using evidence from the site, give your reasoning about why Hartford became so segregated by race and class.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Work, Race, and Gender: Affirmative Action

How can we approach the issue of inequality in employment of women and ethnic minorities?

Select an approach and support it with evidence from the following graphs.

http://www.publicagenda.org/citizen/issueguides/race/getfacts

http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/434/race-facts.html

http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/434/affirmative-action.html

Make your initial comment with your approach, then make two additional comments about what your classmates say about the issue.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Who has power in American government?

Do you agree with C. Wright Mills that there is a "power elite" that is in charge in America? Explain using evidence from the data packet, the videos, and class charts.

Make at least three comments. First, your original thought. Then respond to two other student comments.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Sociology of Education: No Child Left Behind

Do you support the No Child Left Behind Law? Explain using your experience from the simulation.

Respond to at least two other students for a total of three comments.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Gender Roles: Women in the MIlitary

Should women serve in the military?

Use examples from videos, readings, texts, your own research to make your case. You should have at least three entries. One where you state your case and two others where you respond to other students.


http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/336/fact-check-military-sexual-trauma.html
 
http://abcnews.go.com/US/IraqCoverage/story?id=878697
 

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Does social class matter?

Use examples from videos, readings, texts, your own research to make your case. You should have at least three entries. One where you state your case and two others where you respond to other students.

Presentation on social class from Sociology Text

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Chapter 8: Deviance

Should deviant juveniles be treated like deviant adults? Explain.

Use examples from videos, readings, texts, your own research to make your case. You should have at least three entries. One where you state your case and two others where you respond to other students.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Chapter 3: Socialization

In the process of socialization, what is more important: nature or nurture?

Use examples from videos, readings, texts, your own research to make your case. You should have at least three entries. One where you state your case and two others where you respond to other students.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Chapter 3 Cullture: Norms and Values

Select a group of 2-4 students and discuss the following question: (Each person should have between 2-3 entries and your should respond to question and refer back to class texts)

You are a high school principal. What norms would you want to govern the students' behavior? What values would you think important for your staff and students to follow? How might these norms or values differ from those appropriate for college students?

Due Date: Monday February 14, 2011