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FInding COnnectionAt the heart of sociology is our desire to know "the self" and the way in which we simultaneously yearn for social connection with others. Finding this connection becomes more challenging as we evolve, grow, age, and get to know ourselves more deeply. However, there are challenges in the modern day that take us away from "the self" and can distract us from experiencing meaningful relationships with others unless we pay close attention.
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research & data collectionHearing words like "research" and "data" can sound complicated and minimally interesting. Even when we are not engaging in formal research, we are taking in "data" of all kinds when interacting with other people. In the first video blog assignment for class, students were asked to use three "action" words to describe themselves, although most of what was shared were adjectives. It reveals to us that when we collect data, often we do not get exactly what we were hoping for - and that is one of the many challenges of data collection.
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data analysisThis video shares the results of an anonymous and voluntary evaluation to demonstrate to students how research is collected and analyzed. It also demonstrates some of the challenges of both open-ended questions and those with a limited number of choices. Students will also understand the power of interpretation.
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sexual orientation or preference?An interesting idea to ponder is the way in which language is interpreted and used. In the case of terms and concepts related to the myriad of human identities, especially those related to sexuality, it is apparent that there are a number of divergent viewpoints and perceptions. We use language to create and navigate our social realities, therefore, an examination of language itself can yield new insights into the ways that people think, feel, and behave.
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WHAT DO LOVE SONGS TELL US ABOUT OURSELVES?I can say with great certainty, that there are a LOT of love songs that have been made and enjoyed through the ages. What is you favorite love song and why is it your favorite? Is it the sounds, the lyrics, the memory of a moment that once happened that still rattled your soul? Tapping into what makes a love song so meaningful can mean taping into the possibility of compatibility with someone else.
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GENDERED LANGUAGEWe can all make contributions to creating a more equitable society and one of the most basic ways you can do this is through the language that you use each and every day. Language not only shapes our reality and the reality of others, but it can change our very mindset. When we actively stop using words that are gendered, like chairman, mailman, etc., or when we address an audience using "Good evening, everyone" instead of "ladies and gentlemen," we will belaying the foundation!
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EMOJIS & COMMUNICATIONMost of us use emojis to communicate with others daily—whether via text message, social media, or email. However, we often assume that the receiver of the message knows exactly what the emojis mean. Through a Google survey administered in two of my sociology classes, we were able to take a preliminary look at what a pilot study looks like and discuss the challenges and rewards of qualitative research.
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POPULATION GROWTH PROJECTIONS: A CLOSER LOOKThe world is full of people, currently 8.1 billion, but how FULL can it get? This remains a question that is pondered by many people. including sociologists. By taking a close look at work population numbers as well as birth and death rates, we can make more meaningful and informed decisions about our own reproductive choices. How the micro and macro interact with one another is highly apparent when looking at population.
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Gender socialization & the toys of our childhoodReflecting on the toys that we played with as children allows us to see where gender socialization may have taken place. Distinguishing between the toys that were purchased for us, the toys that other children had, and the ones we gravitated towards gives us very interesting points of reflection and understanding of our identities.
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Friends with Benefits—Destigmatizing the advantages AdvantagesSexual intimacy comes in a lot more shapes, sizes, and forms than we might like to admit. Openly discussing the advantages of adult arrangements like "friends with benefits," can result in more expansive thinking about the many ways we can fulfill our ever-changing needs and desires for connection in a responsible way.
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