Chapter: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

Two Separate discussion post to be completed separately:

Discussion 1

Social Class. 1st Post Due by Day 3. For this discussion, you must read Chapter 7 of the text, Sociology: Beyond Common Sense, and watch the two videos, Social Class in America 1957 McGraw-Hill text-films(an old video but great example) and How Class Works - Richard Wolff Examines Class. Then, review the document, Knowledge of Hidden Rules of Social Class. Read through the descriptions of daily activities and commonplace knowledge for lower, middle, and upper class people. Print it out and place an 'X' next to the things you know how to do [you can also just note your 'X' marks], and look to see how many 'X' marks you have in each category [If you don't have children, use yourself and your siblings as a reference group.]. This will help you gain insight into the taken for granted or hidden knowledge you need to survive in various social classes. After completing these tasks, consider the following questions:

 • Social Class in the US-

How would you categorize the types of knowledge?

How and where would someone acquire and learn this knowledge?

How do you gain access to the people and places this can be learned?

Is this access generally equal in the US?

• You as a Social Being -

On which questionnaires did you have the most and least marks?

Were you surprised by the outcome?

Do you have equal access to the people and places required to acquire knowledge you currently do not have?

• Conclusions:

What conclusions can you make about the nature of the hidden knowledge necessary to be successful in each social class?

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates' posts by Day 7. Discussion adapted from: Ashton, P. (2005) Discussion ideas on Social Class. Resources for Teachers. Washington, D.C.: American Sociological Association

Discussion 2

Social Construction. 1st Post Due by Day 3. For this discussion, you must read Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 of the text, Sociology: Beyond Common Sense, the article The 'Pink vs Blue' Gender Myth, and watch the three videos, Social Construction, RACE: Are We So Different?, and A Girl Like Me. [Note that A Girl Like Me uses words or language that are considered profane, vulgar or offensive by some viewers. Ashford University does not condone such content that may be objectionable; however, the video is being used due to its impact and education value in understanding social construction.] After reviewing these resources on varied perspectives of social construction, consider the following questions:

 • What is social construction?

 • Which example from the resources provided did you find most compelling in building your knowledge of social construction? Describe it and explain why you found it most useful.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates' posts by Day 7.

Discussion 1

Social Institutions. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Vessing (2011) states, "a society needs a variety of social institutions in order to function adequately. However, it does appear that not all citizens have equal access to participation in them, and that one's social class and ascribed characteristics may limit one's ability to benefit from them. This disparity results in unequal access to all that the institutions have to offer" (p. 197). Review the various social institutions discussed in Chapters 10 and 11 of the text, Sociology: Beyond Common Sense.

Based on what you have read in the text, describe at least two institutions that do not provide equal access? If you were asked to implement changes from a sociological perspective, what changes would you suggest? Support your answer with detailed examples.

 Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates' posts by Day 7.

 Reference: Vissing, Y. (2011). Introduction to sociology. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Discussion 2

Current Social Issues: Educational Inequality. 1st Post Due by Day 3.

According to conflict theorists, the persistence of social class inequality can be linked to the educational institutions in the United States. Although education is asserted to be a social equalizer, many argue that the educational system is a mechanism of social reproduction that maintains social inequality rather than ensuring equality of opportunity. For this discussion, you will read Chapters 10 and 11 of the text, Sociology: Beyond Common Sense, and review the article, Foundations of Educational Inequality.

 Answer the following questions:

• What factors influence the quality of education that an individual receives?
• How is social class reproduced through the educational system?
• How is this continuing educational inequality impacting other social institutions?

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates' posts by Day 7. Reference: Vissing, Y. (2011). Introduction to sociology. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education.