This document provides an overview of an introductory sociology class. It introduces the professor, Melanie Tannenbaum, and outlines what students can expect in the class. The class will cover theoretical approaches like functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. It discusses goals for the class, required readings and reaction papers, essay assignments, exams, and attendance policies. The goal is for students to understand and apply sociological concepts and theories to explore topics of interest.
PHILOSOPHY 2306 ETHICS (ONLINE) DR. STEVE BEST FALL 2016 .docxmattjtoni51554
PHILOSOPHY 2306: ETHICS (ONLINE)
DR. STEVE BEST
FALL 2016
EMAIL: [email protected] (work); [email protected] (home)
"If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities." Voltaire
"He is a philosopher who tramples underfoot prejudices, tradition, antiquity, universal
assent, authority, in a word, everything that overawes the mass of minds, who dares to think
for himself, to go back to the clearest general principles, examine them, discuss them, admit
nothing save on the testimony of his experience and reasoning." Diderot
"Why stay we on the earth unless to grow?" Robert Browning
“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke
“Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a
beginning; it is an end. And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for
it benefits the aggressor -- never his victim.” Elie Wiesel
“Cowardice asks the question, `Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, `Is it
politic?’And Vanity comes along and asks the question, `Is it popular?’ But Conscience
asks the question `Is it right?’ And there comes a time when one must take a position that
is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it
is right.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
!
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Martin
Luther King, Jr.
“Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and
depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to humankind.” Albert
Schweitzer
Course Description
This course is an introduction to ethics and ethical reasoning. We will spend most of the
course getting acquainted with the definition and meaning of ethics, and seek in many
ways to transcend conventional views to produce a broader and deeper definition and
understanding of ethics that places it at the center of a meaningful, responsible, and
compassionate life. We will examine key ethical issues, explore major philosophers’
ideas, and examine a number of core ethical traditions. The course aims not only to
explain what ethics is, as a historical and philosophical matter, but also how to do it, as a
reasoned practice relevant to contemporary society and to the quality of one’s own
existence.
After the main focus on ethical theory, we devote the last part of the course to applied
ethics, specifically to the topics of animal rights, ethical veganism, and environmental
ethics. These profound issues surfaced in the last four decades to become major new
fields of inquiry and to pose powerful challenges to Western dogmas and humanist
traditions with their violent and destructive power pathologies. I chose these issues
because: (1) they strongly relate to a key course goal to produce a more comprehensive
and expansive concept of ethics than given by the Western tradition; (2) they are
controversial,.
PHILOSOPHY 2306 ETHICS (ONLINE) DR. STEVE BEST FALL 2016 .docxmattjtoni51554
PHILOSOPHY 2306: ETHICS (ONLINE)
DR. STEVE BEST
FALL 2016
EMAIL: [email protected] (work); [email protected] (home)
"If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities." Voltaire
"He is a philosopher who tramples underfoot prejudices, tradition, antiquity, universal
assent, authority, in a word, everything that overawes the mass of minds, who dares to think
for himself, to go back to the clearest general principles, examine them, discuss them, admit
nothing save on the testimony of his experience and reasoning." Diderot
"Why stay we on the earth unless to grow?" Robert Browning
“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke
“Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a
beginning; it is an end. And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for
it benefits the aggressor -- never his victim.” Elie Wiesel
“Cowardice asks the question, `Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, `Is it
politic?’And Vanity comes along and asks the question, `Is it popular?’ But Conscience
asks the question `Is it right?’ And there comes a time when one must take a position that
is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it
is right.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
!
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Martin
Luther King, Jr.
“Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and
depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to humankind.” Albert
Schweitzer
Course Description
This course is an introduction to ethics and ethical reasoning. We will spend most of the
course getting acquainted with the definition and meaning of ethics, and seek in many
ways to transcend conventional views to produce a broader and deeper definition and
understanding of ethics that places it at the center of a meaningful, responsible, and
compassionate life. We will examine key ethical issues, explore major philosophers’
ideas, and examine a number of core ethical traditions. The course aims not only to
explain what ethics is, as a historical and philosophical matter, but also how to do it, as a
reasoned practice relevant to contemporary society and to the quality of one’s own
existence.
After the main focus on ethical theory, we devote the last part of the course to applied
ethics, specifically to the topics of animal rights, ethical veganism, and environmental
ethics. These profound issues surfaced in the last four decades to become major new
fields of inquiry and to pose powerful challenges to Western dogmas and humanist
traditions with their violent and destructive power pathologies. I chose these issues
because: (1) they strongly relate to a key course goal to produce a more comprehensive
and expansive concept of ethics than given by the Western tradition; (2) they are
controversial,.
Directions Please answer each question in 150 words and each discAlyciaGold776
Directions: Please answer each question in 150 words and each discussion question in 100 words. Must use in-text citation in APA style. This is a STEM Education Course.
Discussion: Curiosity is a big part of STEM instruction. How will you encourage curiosity and discovery in your classroom?
Response 1: (Instructor asked) how do you learn about each student's "passion?" In what ways do you discover their true interests with respect to each topic?
Response 2: (Stefanie said)- Encouraging curiosity within the classroom may lead down rabbit holes, take a well-designed lesson plan in a different direction, and take the class focus off of what needs to be covered based on testing requirements. When we are curious about things, we ask questions. One question can lead to another and another, which may mean veering off topic, but also increases engagement and curiosity. Planning for extra time in each activity or designated time at the end of class where students can ask their questions can help students to affirm their desire to learn but not deter the whole lesson (Runn, 2016).
Encouraging creativity and modeling curiosity help to demonstrate ways to be a lifelong learner and how to remain curious about the world we live in (Runn, 2016). Asking students to find real-life examples for the material being taught requires more work than if the teacher just hands them the information. The way homework is assigned can also be a way to encourage curiosity and discovery, offering students multiple avenues to show what they know and an opportunity to learn in a way that is best for the (Runn, 2016).
Paying attention to what really sets a student’s heart on fire, encouraging them to explore new things and helping them to make connections between the information they are learning in class and how it could help and influence their future is one of the most important pieces of teaching. Some students may be more curious than others, but stay present and fight to create passionate, curious students, one class at a time (Runn, 2016).
Response 3: (Haley said)- There are different types of curiosity that students may develop while they are in school including "joyous exploration, need to know curiosity, social curiosity, accepting anxiety curiosity, and thrill-seeking curiosity," (Eva, 2018). In order to help students explore their curiosity of a subject it is important that we, as educators, endorse their love of knowledge and encourage their curiosity. Curiosity has been described as having a hungry mind, and the need or want to know more information on a topic, content, or subject matter. Students that are more curious are more likely to excel in the classroom because they are more motivated to learn. When we become curious it causes more retention of knowledge. To encourage this in the classroom, it is important to welcome questions and risk taking. Some students may be shy or uncomfortable with challenging themselves or speaking out loud. We should encourag ...
THE PURPOSE Knowledge After completing this assignment, .docxoscars29
THE PURPOSE:
Knowledge:
After completing this assignment, you will understand:
1) The scope and diversity of psychology as a discipline.
2) How psychologists working from different philosophical and theoretical perspectives make different
contributions to our understanding of particular psychological topics.
Skills:
After completing this assignment, you will be able to:
1) Assess the strengths and weaknesses of various explanations for your topic.
2) Explain how the Integration and/or competition between explanations from various perspectives helps
psychology advance our understanding of human behavior and mental processing.
YOUR TASK:
Your task is to select ONE psychological topic you find particularly interesting. This may be a topic we have covered in
the course or a psychological topic we have not covered. You will then examine this topic from three different
philosophical or theoretical perspectives within psychology. For example, you could examine your topic from any of the
following philosophical perspectives: physiological, behavioral, cognitive, social, humanistic, evolutionary,
psychoanalytic, etc). Alternatively, you could opt to examine your topic more specifically using three different theories,
which may or may not differ in their philosophical perspectives. For example, imagine that you choose “bullying” as
your topic. You could examine how bullying is explained from a biological, behavioral, and social perspective (three
different philosophical perspectives). Alternatively, you could choose to examine how three different theories attempt
to explain bullying. Two of these theories might be theories from a “social” perspective and one might be a theory from
a “biological” perspective.
In either case, you must utilize and cite original sources for those perspectives in your analysis/discussion. This means
that you must research your topic to find three different explanations for your topic. Your analysis cannot be based on
personal opinion alone.
Write-up: Your write-up should begin with a general overview of your topic and the reasons why it is particularly
interesting or relevant to you. This introduction should be followed by an analysis of your topic from three different
philosophical or theoretical perspectives. Your analysis should demonstrate a general understanding of your topic and
the fundamental principles used by each philosophical or theoretical perspective to explain that topic (using at least
three academic sources outside of your textbook as source material). In addition, you should discuss whether the
explanations offered by the different perspectives are complimentary to one another or contradict one another. Finally,
your analysis should include your own personal reflection of these perspectives and an informed assessment of what
you see as the strengths and weaknesses of each based on your research of them.
THE CRITERIA:
Review the grading criteria for this .
CALL PAPER OF PHILOSOPHY:Paper of philosophy botwana international universityDuncanhensisya
Being a Lecturer, I published this paper regarding Philosophy so that Teachers can learn regarding the concepts of Philosophy. All teachers are welcome to view the paper which is very educative in our today's life.
1 Requirements for the Term Paper Psychology 2.docxhoney725342
1
Requirements for the Term Paper
Psychology 209: Life Cycle Development
TOPIC: The topic of the paper must be related to one of the issues discussed in the area of human
life cycle development.
RESEARCH: (1) The student needs to propose a theme or an argument for this paper and explain how
the chosen topic reflects, or is related to, an important issue in the area of human life
cycle development. (2) Your paper must address one of these two Student Learning
Outcomes: (a) Identify the specific genetic and environmental influences (such as
socio-economic status, gender, race, ethnicity, English language learners, special
needs, culture, religion, schools, media, peers, and family) on physical, cognitive,
social, and emotional development. (b) Describe variables underlying socio-
economic status, racial, ethnic, and gender differences in lifespan development
The student is expected to do some original literature research, which means the student
cannot simply quote studies reported in a textbook or someone else’s paper (even though
they can serve as good leads for your own research). The student is expected to read and
summarize two original research psychology journal articles, published within the last
15 years, on a topic chosen by the student. The references should be listed in the
References section at the end of the paper (on a separate page), following the APA
format.
The best place to find peer-reviewed articles for your paper is through HACC’s eLibary:
You can go to: www.hacc.edu Library Find : Articles & Databases
“PsycArticles” or “ProQuest” or “PsycINFO”, etc. (You will need to enter your HACC
id and PIN at this point.). In PsycArticles, you should “Limit Your Results” by selecting
“Full text”, and “Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals.
HACC’s eLibrary also has a psychology guide for psychology students:
http://libguides.hacc.edu/psychologyguide You will find the APA format information
under the “APA Citations” tab.
LENGTH
& FORMAT: The paper must be typed, double-spaced, and at least 6 pages in length (not counting the
cover page and References page, but no more than 8 pages). The print font used should
be either size 10 or size 12. The margins on all four sides should be one inch.
The general organization of the paper and the citations of references should follow the
APA format (copy of APA Manual is available in our library). In the APA format, the
paper should consist of sections such as synopsis, method, results, and discussion. These
sections (except synopsis) should be clearly labeled, and follow the right sequence.
Please see the sample outline on p.2. In the final Discussion section of the paper, the
student is expected to summarize the two studies cited, evaluate the findings, state your
own views/suggestions, and draw some conclusions, which should be relevant to the
...
English 112Exploratory Essay AssignmentFor this assignment.docxYASHU40
English 112
Exploratory Essay Assignment
For this assignment, you will not be arguing a particular point of view. Rather, your objective is simply to “wallow in complexity:” to research and analyze, to posit thesis (believing), antithesis(doubting), and synthesis(new ideas/your opinions); to challenge the common ways of looking at a problem.
You will begin this assignment, as much good writing does, by posing a question. Your job is to research a (provisional, or temporary) answer (believing). Then you will critique that answer—by reading against the grain and you will find flaws in the answer (doubting). Then you’ll ask another question—a more complex question, based on your research and your rejection of your previous answer. You will attempt to answer that question, debunk that answer, and so on. The purpose is not to find answers, but to ask really good questions—and as a result to probe a topic more deeply than you’ve ever done before.
This assignment differs from others you’ve most likely written before, as a polished thesis statement does not control the organization and development of ideas. Rather, this essay will document the evolution of your thinking on a subject. The exploratory essay should be a first-person narrative of your thinking and research process as you explore and reflect upon your research question. The essay should reflect the organization plan (pg 49), and it might end with a tentative solution to the problem or answer to the question that you will argue in your subsequent essay. Or, it might conclude with plans for further investigation.**Read the sample essay beginning on page 50 and the notes in the margins for further guidance.
The dialectical thinking I have already asked you to engage in with the researched articles you selected in the past few assignments can and should help you as you compose your exploratory essay. Feel free to use parts of your believing and doubting exercises and your engagement with your articles in your paper.
Consider your audience for this paper to be members of the academic community here at TCC. In this paper, you are developing the authority to speak on the topic of your choice.
Research, reflection, and good note-taking are crucial.
Helpful tips:
.
· Take time to select a question or problem that interests you and that has significance for your audience.
· Choose a topic you haven’t written about before (in another course) and for which you do not already have a strong opinion. You may, however, choose a topic about which you have already written in this course (for any of your smaller assignments) or choose a new topic altogether.
· The essay should be organized chronologically and indicate gradual development of your thinking with clear transitions and logical development.
· As you detail your research process, you’ll include summaries of and responses to your secondary sources.
· Show how the problem/question is interesting, problematic, and important.
· The paper’ ...
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
A workshop hosted by the South African Journal of Science aimed at postgraduate students and early career researchers with little or no experience in writing and publishing journal articles.
Safalta Digital marketing institute in Noida, provide complete applications that encompass a huge range of virtual advertising and marketing additives, which includes search engine optimization, virtual communication advertising, pay-per-click on marketing, content material advertising, internet analytics, and greater. These university courses are designed for students who possess a comprehensive understanding of virtual marketing strategies and attributes.Safalta Digital Marketing Institute in Noida is a first choice for young individuals or students who are looking to start their careers in the field of digital advertising. The institute gives specialized courses designed and certification.
for beginners, providing thorough training in areas such as SEO, digital communication marketing, and PPC training in Noida. After finishing the program, students receive the certifications recognised by top different universitie, setting a strong foundation for a successful career in digital marketing.
Executive Directors Chat Leveraging AI for Diversity, Equity, and InclusionTechSoup
Let’s explore the intersection of technology and equity in the final session of our DEI series. Discover how AI tools, like ChatGPT, can be used to support and enhance your nonprofit's DEI initiatives. Participants will gain insights into practical AI applications and get tips for leveraging technology to advance their DEI goals.
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty, In...Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty,
International FDP on Fundamentals of Research in Social Sciences
at Integral University, Lucknow, 06.06.2024
By Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Macroeconomics- Movie Location
This will be used as part of your Personal Professional Portfolio once graded.
Objective:
Prepare a presentation or a paper using research, basic comparative analysis, data organization and application of economic information. You will make an informed assessment of an economic climate outside of the United States to accomplish an entertainment industry objective.
A review of the growth of the Israel Genealogy Research Association Database Collection for the last 12 months. Our collection is now passed the 3 million mark and still growing. See which archives have contributed the most. See the different types of records we have, and which years have had records added. You can also see what we have for the future.
2. This Week
Who are you?
!
!
What will this class be like?
!
!
Theoretical Approaches/Overview
2
3. This Week
Who are you?
!
!
What will this class be like?
!
!
Theoretical Approaches/Overview
3
4. On Your Small Index Card…
Name
!
Major/Concentration
!
Why are you taking this class?
!
One defining and/or interesting fact about yourself.
4
5. About Me
Name: Melanie Tannenbaum
!
Background: I’m originally from NY. I graduated from Duke with a B.A.
in psychology (concentrating in educational psychology) in 2009, and
I’m about to receive my Ph.D. in social psychology from UIUC (I’m
defending my dissertation this semester). I’ve researched
achievement goals, persuasion, motivation, and the use of “scare
tactics” in behavior change.
!
Interesting Fact: This isn’t all I teach! I’m also a group fitness instructor
in my free time; I teach PiYo (Pilates/Yoga), Zumba, and SurfSet. I also
like competing in mud runs ☺ I’ve done 2 5Ks, 3 Super Spartans, 3
Tough Mudders, and participated in the TM Beta Test this year to pick
the new obstacles for 2015!
5
6. This Week
Who are you?
!
!
What will this class be like?
!
!
Theoretical Approaches/Overview
6
7. Goals
Take a moment to reflect on why
you are taking this class.
!
Do you want to be a teacher?
Do you want to go into policy?
Do you want to go into research?
!
Even if you are taking this class
because of a requirement, you
should never only be taking a
class because it’s a requirement.
!
Take advantage of this
opportunity to build your skillset,
improve your own life, and
maximize your own educations.
8. Goals
I really want you to reflect on
what YOU want to get out of this
course, and keep those goals in
mind with every choice that you
make throughout the class.
9. Readings
Yes…there is a lot of reading.
Do I want you to do all of it? Of
course!
However…
I will emphasize (in class) which
readings are “most important” for
the coming week and which ones
can be skimmed.
Reading response papers do not
have to address all of the readings
for that week.
Before the midterm/final exams, I will
make sure you know what concepts
you need to feel comfortable with.
It’s up to you to read/study the
materials appropriately.
You have freedom in writing your
essays to choose which topics you
want to focus on.
10. Readings
There are two books required for
this class. They are both short,
easy reads, but I strongly
recommend you try to fit them in
throughout the semester rather
than the week they are assigned.
!
The Stupidity Epidemic is
available at the UNR bookstore.
!
The Learning Gap is available on
Amazon for very cheap.
!
Other than these 2 books, the
readings are all articles or book
chapters that will be posted on
WebCampus.
11. Reactions
You have to submit ten reaction
papers via email by 5 PM on the
Monday of the week in which we
will be discussing those papers.
There are 13 weeks of content in
class, so this allows you to skip 3
weeks.
There is no length minimum or
maximum — I expect around 1
page, double spaced.
Undergraduates must discuss at
least 2 of the readings. Graduate
students must discuss at least 3 of
the readings. (Unless it’s a week
with only 2 readings. Then, 2
readings. Just use your head.)
12. Reactions
What makes a good response paper?
Keep in mind what the goals are.
!
Keep you accountable/on track
with the readings.
Provide us with discussion material,
questions, concerns, connections,
etc. for class so we don’t sit around
awkwardly silent for an hour.
Let me know ahead of time what
people in the class found
confusing, interesting, upsetting,
intriguing, etc. so I can tailor our
class discussion or prepare to
answer any specific questions
ahead of time.
13. Reactions
They will be graded from 0-10.
!
For the most part…
!
0 = Didn’t send it in.
!
5 = Sent it in late or only discussed 1
reading, that sort of thing.
!
10 = Fulfilled requirements (discussed
2-3 readings), clearly read the
material, put in a good faith effort.
14. Essays
Because this is a capstone
course, you are required to do at
a significant amount of writing
over the course of the semester.
You will have to turn in three
essays in order to pass this class.
Essays should be double spaced
with 12-point Times New Roman
font and 1” or 1.25” margins.
Each essay should be between
2,200 and 2,800 words long
(roughly 9-12 pages).
15. Essays
What makes a good essay?
Keep in mind what the goals are.
!
Demonstrate relative knowledge.
!
Understand, integrate, and draw
connections between assigned
(and other) materials.
!
Show that you have taken a
topic from the course that you
find interesting and really explored
it in depth.
16. Exams
There will be two exams — one
midterm & one final.
Most likely, they will be short
answer questions. I may include
multiple choice, matching, or
true/false questions.
The main focus of these exams
will be getting you to think, make
connections, and synthesize/
analyze the information on your
own. I want to know what you
think and what you have learned
& retained.
So, the exams will likely not be a
strict regurgitation of information
we’ve covered in class — but if
you have a good grasp of the
material, it should all make sense.
17. Attendance 10% of your grade is “class
participation,” which basically
just means attendance.
!
I don’t want to penalize
people for using the drop/add
period, so I will start taking
attendance on February 3.
!
You will get 3 “free” absences.
After 3 absences, I will subtract
2 points from your participation
grade (out of a possible 100)
for each subsequent absence.
25. Functionalist Theory
Émile Durkheim
!
Industrialization, urbanization,
and modernization led to the
breakdown of traditional rituals &
methods of social control.
!
!
This led to the breakdown of
social solidarity & cohesion.
!
!
Anomie: Normlessness in society.
26. “Society can survive only if there exists among its members a sufficient
degree of homogeneity; education perpetuates and reinforces this
homogeneity by fixing in the child, from the beginning, the essential
similarities that collective life demands.”
26
Émile Durkheim
27. “But, on the other hand, without a certain diversity all cooperation would
be impossible; education assures the persistence of this necessary
diversity by being itself diversified and specialized.”
27
Émile Durkheim
28. “Education is, then, only the means by which society prepares, within the
children, the essential conditions of its very existence…We come, then,
to the following formula: Education is the influence exercised by adult
generations on those that are not yet ready for social life. Its object is to
arouse and to develop in the child a certain number of physical,
intellectual, and moral states which are demanded of him by both the
political society as a whole and the special milieu for which he is
specifically destined.”
28
Émile Durkheim
30. Functionalist Theory
Talcott Parsons
Order & stability in society are the
result of the influence of certain
values (not a certain structure)
Stable, supportive families are the
key to successful socialization
Sexual Division of Labor
Families will operate most
efficiently with clear-cut sexual
divisions of labor
Women should perform
expressive (care/security) roles,
and men should perform
instrumental (breadwinner)
roles.
32. Functionalist Theory
All of society hangs together organically
Different institutions fulfill different functions
Everything is in the service of maintaining the existing social order
Education = Societal Reproduction
Provides society with the workforce/labor it needs
Creates the mindset that keeps society together
Provides training to make people useful members of society
33. Functionalist Theory
Stability
Education trains the next generation
Existing inequalities are reproduced because they function well
Democracy
Education as the “great equalizer”
Generates potential for innovation
Allows social mobility & opportunity
34. Functionalist Theory
Problems
The relationship between schooling, skills, and jobs is not as
rational as functionalists suggest
!
The role of schools in providing equality of opportunity is more
problematic than functionalists suggest
!
Large-scale research casts doubt on the idea that more
schooling brings about more meritocracy
35. Conflict Theory
The class system separates
owners from workers (the
proletariat), and workers from
the benefits of their own labor.
36. Conflict Theory
Class struggle is inevitable; in
the end, the proletariat
(working class) will rise up
and overthrow the capitalists.
38. Conflict Theory
Karl Marx
Didn’t write much about
education, but intellectual
founder of conflict theory.
!
The class system makes class
struggle inevitable.
!
Critique of modern capitalism;
the proletariat (working class) will
eventually rise up and overthrow
the capitalists, and establish a
socialist society.
!
Dominant groups impose values/
ideas on subordinate groups.
39. Conflict Theory
Max Weber
Power relations between dominant &
subordinate groups structure societies,
BUT class differences alone can’t
capture & explain everything.
!
Status Groups derived from…
Class ($$)
Power
Culture (Race, Education, Religion,
Ethnicity…)
!
Education is used as a “marker” of
having the right values (i.e., the values
that the existing high-status/high-
power people want you to have).
40. Conflicting interests of the “haves” and “have nots”
Economic (Marx)
Economic, Cultural, Prestige, or Political (Weber)
Dominant groups want to maintain hierarchy through education
Marx: Economic Structure ! Culture ! Action
Education reproduces inequality (to advantage the powerful)
Weber: Economic Structure ! Action | Culture ! Action
“Status Culture”
Cultural ideas (independent of economic structure) shape who is
awarded prestige & power
Conflict Theory
42. The language people use in everyday conversation both reflects
and shapes the assumptions of a certain social group.
Relationships established within the social group affect the way that
group uses language, and the type of speech that is used.
Restricted vs. Elaborated Code
Restricted: Speak using “insider” knowledge; phrases interjected
into the middle or end of a thought to confirm understanding.
“You know,” “You know what I mean,“ “Right?”
Elaborated: Longer, more complicated sentence structure.
Complete thoughts providing all necessary details.
Restricted = More common in lower- and working-class backgrounds;
impacts ability to do well in school, especially language subjects.
Modern Conflict Theories: Code Theory
43. Democratic society has competition between different groups
Social Classes
Professions
Educational requirements help groups maintain power
Keep control with the professional (high status) group
Gatekeeping
“We decide who joins”
The higher the entrance requirements, the higher the prestige
Does it really matter that you went to Harvard/Yale/Princeton, or does it
just matter that you have the “name brand” on your resume?
Modern Conflict Theories: Credentialism
44. “Capital” includes much more than just money.
Economic Capital ($$)
Social Capital (Networks, friends, family members, peers)
Cultural Capital (Educational attainment, knowledge, attitudes)
Cultural Capital includes…
Embodied (Language style, personality, way of thinking, character)
Objectified (Scientific instruments, works of art, books, classy stuff)
Institutionalized (Academic credentials, qualifications)
There are a lot of “things” that we can possess that make us higher/lower
status, higher/lower class, etc. that aren’t just our bank accounts.
Modern Conflict Theories: Cultural Capital
46. 46
Less Than HS
HS Degree
Post-HS Vocational
Some College
College Degree
Graduate Degree
1937
Unskilled Professions
Less Than HS
HS Degree
Post-HS Vocational
Some College
College Degree
Graduate Degree
1967
Less Than HS
HS Degree
Post-HS Vocational
Some College
College Degree
Graduate Degree
1937
Semiskilled Professions
Less Than HS
HS Degree
Post-HS Vocational
Some College
College Degree
Graduate Degree
1967
47. 47
Less Than HS
HS Degree
Post-HS Vocational
Some College
College Degree
Graduate Degree
1937
Skilled Professions
Less Than HS
HS Degree
Post-HS Vocational
Some College
College Degree
Graduate Degree
1967
Less Than HS
HS Degree
Post-HS Vocational
Some College
College Degree
Graduate Degree
1937
Clerical Jobs
Less Than HS
HS Degree
Post-HS Vocational
Some College
College Degree
Graduate Degree
1967
48. 48
Less Than HS
HS Degree
Post-HS Vocational
Some College
College Degree
Graduate Degree
1937
Managerial Jobs
Less Than HS
HS Degree
Post-HS Vocational
Some College
College Degree
Graduate Degree
1967
Less Than HS
HS Degree
Post-HS Vocational
Some College
College Degree
Graduate Degree
1937
Professional Jobs
Less Than HS
HS Degree
Post-HS Vocational
Some College
College Degree
Graduate Degree
1967
49. 49
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1965
% 17 Year Olds with HS Diploma
% of 18-21 Year Olds in College
% 15-24 Year Olds with BA Degree
% 25-34 Year Olds with MA Degree
50. 50
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1965
% 17 Year Olds with HS Diploma
% of 18-21 Year Olds in College
% 15-24 Year Olds with BA Degree
% 25-34 Year Olds with MA Degree
Why is education
becoming more
necessary in society?
51. Technical-Function Theory
The skill requirements of jobs in industrial society are always
increasing because of technological change.
The proportion of low-skill jobs goes down.
The proportion of high-skill jobs goes up.
The same jobs get upgraded in skill requirements.
Formal education provides the training (specific skills & general
capacities) necessary for higher-skilled jobs.
Educational requirements for employment are always rising, and
more of the population must spend more time in school.
51
52. Technical-Function Theory
The skill requirements of jobs in industrial society are always
increasing because of technological change.
The proportion of low-skill jobs goes down.
The proportion of high-skill jobs goes up.
The same jobs get upgraded in skill requirements.
Formal education provides the training (specific skills & general
capacities) necessary for higher-skilled jobs.
Educational requirements for employment are always rising, and
more of the population must spend more time in school.
52
Serious issues with this
explanation.
53. Technical-Function Theory
The skill requirements of jobs in industrial society are always
increasing because of technological change.
!
This only accounts for a little bit of the educational rise.
!
15% of the increase in education of the US labor force during the
20th century can be attributed to shifts in occupational structure.
!
The other 85% occurred within job categories.
53
54. Technical-Function Theory
Formal education provides the training (specific skills & general
capacities) necessary for higher-skilled jobs.
!
Better educated employees are not generally more productive, and are
sometimes actually less productive (Berg, 1970)
!
Graduates of vocational programs are no more likely to be employed
than HS dropouts (Plunkett, 1960; Duncan, 1964)
!
Most skilled manual workers acquire skills on the job or casually; formal
retraining is used only for a small number of jobs (Collins, 1969; Bright, 1958)
54
55. Technical-Function Theory
Educational requirements for employment are always rising, and
more of the population must spend more time in school.
!
Even in nonmanual jobs, there is questionable utility for school.
!
Only a small percentage of knowledge people gain in courses is
retained through next few years (Learned & Wood, 1938)
55
56. Credentialism
!
Randall Collins
!
Educational credentials (like college diplomas) serve more
importantly as status symbols than indicators of real achievement.
!
Society isn’t becoming more expert; education is just being used
more and more by the dominant groups to secure more
advantageous places in society for themselves & their children.
57. Institutional Theory
!
John Meyer
!
Democratic belief that “civilized societies” have expansive, highly
developed educational systems.
!
Educational expansion often precedes labor market demands.
59. Symbolic Interactionism
Focus on Human Agency
Social structure shapes individual action, BUT…
Individual action also shapes social structure
Focus on Self; “Social Construction of Reality”
Everything is a function of active individual & societal meaning-
making & interpretation.
Nothing just “is.”
Inequality is created and reproduced through individual action and
interpretation.
Interactionist Theory
60. Individual Action & Social Construction
Cognitive Interpretation
Subjective Meaning
Socialization, Everyday Encounters
Empathic Understanding of Social Actors
Not much emphasis on causality
Qualitative, not Quantitative
Participant Observation, Ethnography
http://youtu.be/jFQIIM8IRZU
Symbolic Interactionism
61. Power of the Situation
Proximal Forces Distal Forces
• Here & Now
!
!
• Immediate Situation
!
!
• Perceptions/Construal
!
!
• Perceiving/reacting to
immediate situation
• Removed in Time
!
!
• Culture/Socialization
!
!
• Evolution
!
!
• Shapes behavior on a
broader scale
62. Construal: Interpretations & inferences about stimuli or situations.
!
What is this symbol?
The Role of Construal
63. Construal: Interpretations & inferences about stimuli or situations.
!
What is this symbol?
The Role of Construal
64. Construal: Interpretations & inferences about stimuli or situations.
!
What is this symbol?
The Role of Construal
65. Many times, the actual situation itself is not as important as
how you interpret it.
!
!
Construals determine how we perceive and judge the world around us
& social situations.
The Role of Construal
66. Symbolic Interactionism
Example: Race & gender as “social constructs.”
People’s assumptions about race/gender impact how they
interact with others.
!
Teachers call on & praise boys more often (Jones & Dindia, 2004)
!
When teachers think that students are smart, they spend more
time with them, call on them more often, and praise them more
when they are correct (Rosenthal & Jacobson, 1968)
66
67. Symbolic Interactionism
!
Development of gender roles within
classroom interactions
!
Teachers’ expectations of pupils’ abilities
impact how much they actually learn.
!
Social interactions that occur within
schools shape how children are
socialized and impact society on a much
broader level.
67
68. 68
Functionalism Conflict Theory Symbolic Interactionism
Education socializes
children & prepares them
for life in society.
Education produces &
reproduces societal
inequality.
Focuses on interactions
during schooling & their
outcomes.
Teaches knowledge &
also values, ethics, beliefs,
habits, and norms.
Requiring certain
credentials can be a tool
for discrimination.
Subjective meanings
people put on objects,
events, & behaviors.
Education provides
occupational training.
Education can confer
status, “upper class”
culture, etc.
People behave based on
what they believe, not
just “truth.”
Education keeps kids “off
the streets” and out of
trouble; provides social
control.
Educational is often used
to signal having the
“right” attitudes/values.
In the process of social
interaction, people
develop & rely on
subjective meaning.
73. Individual Focus
Social Cognition, Perception, Motivation, Attitudes, Stereotypes…
!
Intra- and Inter-Individual Processes
“How do stereotypes influence social judgment?”
!
Individual = Cognitively Limited but Motivated Actor
!
Quantitative Methods & Experiments
Social Psychology
74. Experiments
Manipulate independent variable (A), keeping all else constant
Observe effects on dependent variable (B)
Random assignment to experimental conditions
Allows for causal conclusions
Variation in A causes variation in B
Potential Problems
May be too contrived, artificial
Generalizability from college students?
Social Psychology
75. “In short, psychology needs something real to study, and education
provides it; education needs a scientific methodology for addressing its
problems, and psychology provides it.”
75
Mayer (2001)
76. Hypothesis: Children need to have phonological awareness (awareness
that words can be broken down into sound units & sound units can be
combined to form words) in order to learn how to read.
Evidence:
1. Students who have difficulty learning to read also score lower on tests
of phonological awareness.
2. Students who lack phonological awareness when they enter
elementary school are also less likely to be strong readers later on.
3. 5- and 6-year-olds who received specialized phonological awareness
training for 2 years were 5 times more likely than a control/comparison
group to be able to read words containing 2 or 3 sounds after the training.
76
Mayer (2001)
77. Hypothesis: People understand passages about history by relating the new
material to relevant prior knowledge.
Evidence:
“In 1763, Britain & the colonies ended a 7-year war with the French & Indians.”
Most students lack useful/relevant background knowledge to really understand
this passage, what it means, or why it’s important.
By re-writing the passage to clarify that Britain and France both wanted the same
piece of land in North America, which resulted in the conflict known as the
French & Indian War, students were able to activate their conflict schema — prior
knowledge that conflicts occur when two people want to own the same thing.
Students who read the revised passage scored over 50% higher on an essay test.
77
Mayer (2001)
79. Correlation
Correlation Coefficient: A statistical value that indicates how well you can
predict one variable using another
A number between -1.00 and +1.00
!
All of these correlation coefficients COULD have come from a
correlational design or an experimental design.
!
Also... CORRELATION DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSATION!
The ability to say one variables CAUSES the other comes from the type
of research design, not the type of results.
79
80. Understanding Correlations
Magnitude
The size of the correlation
0.8 is “stronger” than 0.2
Correlation between IQ and final grade: 0.8
Correlation between SAT score and final grade: 0.2
Final grade & IQ have a stronger correlation than final grade & SAT score
Direction
Whether the correlation is positive or negative
-0.8 is negative; 0.8 is positive
Correlation between IQ and final grade: -0.8
Having a higher IQ is related to having a lower final grade
Correlation between IQ and final grade: 0.8
Having a higher IQ is related to having a higher final grade
80
81. Understanding Correlations
!
Magnitude
How strong is the relationship?
How closely are the two variables related to each other?
Doesn’t matter if one goes up when the other goes down.
!
Direction
Do the variables go in the same direction (as one gets bigger, the
other gets bigger) or do they go in opposite directions (as one
gets bigger, the other gets smaller)?
81
82. Problems with Correlations
!
Reverse Causality
X may cause Y
Y may cause X
!
!
Third Variable Problem
X and Y may BOTH be caused by some unmeasured variable Z
82
83. Causality
We should only make causal claims (“X causes Y”) if we have
conducted an experiment that includes:
Manipulation of Independent Variables
Random Assignment
Control Conditions
!
These factors take care of concerns with both reverse causality and
third variable problems.
83
84. Experimental Design
Independent Variable (IV)
The variable that is manipulated by the researcher
Hypothesized to cause changes in the DV
Assignment to different levels must be random.
!
Dependent Variables (DVs)
The variable(s) that are measured — Grades, scores, etc.
84
85. Experimental Design
Control Condition
A group assigned to some inherently meaningful level of an IV
Often “0” (the absence of the IV) but sometimes not
Used as the comparison group
!
Random Assignment
Assigning participants to different groups such that they are just as
likely to be placed into one group as another.
85
86. Random assignment to a manipulated independent variable (IV) is
the hallmark of experimental design.
This ensures that people are evenly distributed across conditions.
“Cancels out” pre-existing differences between subjects.
!
Allows us to conclude that different levels of the IV actually cause
differences in the DV.
No longer need to worry about reverse causality or third variable
problems.
86
Importance of Random Assignment
87. Importance of Random Assignment
Hypothesis: Being in an accelerated class increases motivation.
87
Motivated
Students
Unmotivated
Students
Initial group
Accelerated Class
Basic Class
88. Importance of Random Assignment
○ Without Random Assignment:
Accelerated Class
Basic Class
89. Importance of Random Assignment
○ With Random Assignment:
Accelerated Class
Basic Class
90. Does random assignment solve all of our concerns?
No!
You can still get biased samples for various reasons.
It’s important to replicate findings (ideally with different subject
populations and different measures).
!
Overall, if a result replicates while using random assignment and
manipulating IVs, we’re comfortable making claims about causality.
!
Causal logic should not be a black-and-white “yes/no” decision.
90
Importance of Random Assignment
92. Reliability & Validity
Reliability
Does the measure consistently give you the same
assessment of the underlying variable?
If you take an IQ test four times over a year, will you get the
same results (or pretty close) each time?
!
Validity
Does the measure accurately capture the variable?
Is an IQ test the best way to capture everything important
that we want to know about intelligence?
92
94. Reliability & Validity
Weighing yourself on a scale…
You “really” weigh 150 pounds
You weigh yourself every day for 1 week
!
Scale #1: Reliable but not valid
120, 121, 119, 120, 120, 123, 117
Consistent, but nowhere close to 150
!
Scale #2: Valid but not reliable
150, 140, 160, 145, 165, 130, 170
Averages out to 150, but very inconsistent
94
95. Reliability & Validity
Example: Intelligence & IQ
!
If IQ is a reliable measure, you should get (roughly) the same IQ
score every single time you take an IQ test.
!
If IQ is a valid measure, it should correlate very strongly & positively
with your GPA, SAT/ACT scores, teacher evaluations, and scores on
other intelligence tests, like the Cognitive Reflection Test.
95
97. Social Structure
Relatively stable patterns of social interaction that characterize
human social life
Micro Structures
Status
Social Roles
Macro Structures
Social Institutions
Social structures are created by individuals and
Individuals are shaped by social structures.
98. Social Interaction
Basis of social structure
Critically important for psychological life
Characteristics
Social Structure
Dynamic
Mutual Influence
Behavioral & Cognitive Aspects
Situational/Environmental Factors
Expectations
99. The Thomas Theorem
If people define situations as real, they are real in their
consequences.
Objective
Reality
Subjective
Understanding
Subjective
Response
Individual
Behavior
100. Inzlicht & Ben-Zeev (Study 1)
Is women’s math performance affected
by the presence of men?
!
If so, how?
102. Inzlicht & Ben-Zeev (Study 2)
Women’sMathPerformance
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
1 woman
2 men
2 women
1 man
3 women
0 men
103. Important Points
Sociology
Functionalist Theory
Conflict Theory
Symbolic Interactionism
Psychological Sociology
Intra- and inter-individual processes as a function of position within society
Social Psychology
Intra- and Inter-individual processes
Other Important Concepts
Social Interaction
Social Structures
104. 104
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
Functionalism Conflict Theory Symbolic Interactionism
Do you think that you
are learning skills in
college that you will
use in your job
someday?
In your opinion, what is
the value of a college
degree? Why did you
go to college? Why do
you think most people
go to college?
What do you think are
some examples of
classroom objects/
situations that students
might interpret
differently?
Do you think that some
majors teach more
practical skills than
others? If so, how?
Other than the
examples already
discussed, can you
think of any more
examples of non-
monetary “capital”?
How & why do you
think teachers form
expectations of
students?
What are some
examples of things
learned in the
classroom that help
society function well/
effectively?
Which groups benefit
the most from the
current higher
education system?
How could this be
changed?
What are some “big
things” other than
gender roles that might
be socialized through
classroom interactions?