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I am taking this class because it was recommended for my career path. I am interested in subjects like psychology and sociology so I thought it was a good class since it was also needed for my Delta requirements. I am taking this class with the hope that I'll learn and benefit from it too.

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Overall,  sociology is explained as the study of how society works and how people interact with each other. It looks at how things like culture, family, and education shape the way people act. The sociological perspective helps us see how society affects our lives. It connects personal problems to bigger social issues. It talks about social structures, like family and schools, that are our main guide to the majority of our actions. Socialization teaches us the rules and values of society. It also explains how studying small interactions and big social interactions helps us understand the world around us.

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 Chapter 4.2. Theoretical Perspectives on Society

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 Chapter 4.2. Theoretical Perspectives on Society

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This idea sees society as a big system where each part has a job to do. If one part is not working well and starts working unaffectedly it affects the whole system. This perspective focuses on how different groups in society compete for more power. It looks at how some people or groups have more power or wealth, and how this causes problems like inequality or unfair treatment. An example is rich people or people with more power who have more opportunities and advantages. This theory looks at how people interact with each other and how small, everyday things have meaning. It focuses on how people create their own identities through these interactions. People can use things like clothes to express themselves or jewelry, and tattoos as well.

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What sort of career are you interested in? How
could studying sociology help you in this career? 2. How might
sociology better help you in navigating and coping with life

I am very interested in Psychology and studying the mind. Studying sociology might give me a more broad perspective, but I'm not too sure until I'm further into the unit. Sociology might help me understand from more perspectives than my own. It might help me learn about cultures and why people do certain things.

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"Body Ritual Among the Nacirema" by Horace Miner overall is showing the unique traditions of a group called the Nacirema. They explain everyday American habits, such as using a toothbrush or visiting the doctor, which may seem strange at first. According to him, cultures may appear strange to outsiders, but that doesn't mean they're incorrect. Cultural relativism, which is viewing things from another culture's point of view rather than evaluating them to our own, is what he wants us to understand. The article makes us aware that what we consider normal may be odd to others.

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118-134: Clark, Sympathy in Everyday Life

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118-134: Clark, Sympathy in Everyday Life

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This explains how people show sympathy and care for others in their everyday interactions. He explains that sympathy isn’t just feeling sorry for someone or their situation but knowing how to understand their emotions and how to show that concern. People can express that sympathy with words, actions, or even just being there for someone who truly just needs to be heard and understood. Clark looks at the social norms which influence how we show sympathy. In some situations or cultures, people might show sympathy by bringing food or simply giving gifts to heal that part of you that words can't heal. Other people might just want feedback or advice and that helps them heal and feel like they are getting that sympathy they seek too. He helps highlight that sympathy will build strong relationships and create a sense of support and connection to the people who confide in you during their tough times. The chapter shows that sympathy plays a really big role in helping people heal and get through rough patches.

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This chapter explains the meaning of nonverbal communication which is sending messages without using words. They explain how things like body language, facial expressions, and even our posture can say or send a message without even saying a word. Different cultures have different ways of using these signals. Some cultures like close personal space, while others need more space to feel comfortable. It explains how we learn body language the same way we learn a spoken language which is imitating the people you're constantly around as you grow up. The main idea is that nonverbal communication is just as important as words in helping us understand each other.

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Tattoos used to break rules and were seen as unprofessional. Many people even got judged or rejected by jobs for tattoos because they were seen as tacky. Now they normalized tattoos much more since they are starting to get more accepted in more jobs. People still face discrimination and mostly judgment from a lot of individuals but it isn't as much as before. Tattoos can have a lot of meaning to many cultures, certain pictures, symbols, or quotes can have a big meaning to certain people while other people see it as something completely different. Overall, views on tattoos have changed over time because of social media, big creators sharing their stories and meaning on certain tattoos, and as time goes on its more perceived as a way of personally expressing yourself.

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If an alien or someone who is seeing me do normal everyday actions at first they would be confused and have a lot of questions. For example, if they watch me eat certain food with a fork or a spoon. They might be confused about why I eat with a tool rather than just my hands. They might question and be confused about why I eat that food and not the type of food they eat. I would imagine there could be some type of comparison or judgment because that alien doesn't know the deep meanings I'm connected to. They don't know why I eat that certain food and the cultural background or why I eat with that fork.

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I went to a starbucks and sat near the window where I could see most of the place. The shop was small but busy with people coming in and out. There was a mix of customers some sitting alone on laptops, others talking in groups. The smell of coffee was very strong the second I stepped inside.

At one table two friends were laughing and talking loudly while sharing a chocolate corssiant. A woman in a hoodie sat in the corner, reading a book and drinking her matcha latte. The workers behind the counter moved quickly, calling out names and handing drinks to customers. Some people grabbed their coffee and left right away but others sat and enjoyed their drink at a table or just in the Starbucks.

Those by themselves stayed quiet and focused on what they were doing, while people who were with a friend or in a group were louder and more comfortable to be themselves.

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how do interactions with various agents of socialization affected your decision to be in college? 

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how do interactions with various agents of socialization affected your decision to be in college? 

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My decision to attend college is shaped by multiple agents of socialization, including family, school, and media. My family always emphasized higher education as a pathway to success. My teachers reinforced this by encouraging academic achievement and presenting college as the “next step” after high school.

However, the society that shows and portrays success influenced my choice. The idea that college is necessary for a stable future changed my decision. This entry connects to Thompson’s work on stigma, as certain career paths without a college degree are seen as less or you'll be unsuccessful. As a student still in highschool I consider the many factors of why I should and not go to college.

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Should all full-time jobs pay a living wage that would cover all of life’s expenses. federal minimum wage is $7.25. 

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Should all full-time jobs pay a living wage that would cover all of life’s expenses. federal minimum wage is $7.25. 

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The federal minimum wage has been at $7.25 per hour since 2009, yet the cost of living has increased dramatically. Many ask for raising it to $15 or more, arguing that full-time workers should earn enough to cover basic needs like housing, food, and healthcare. Opponents claim that raising wages could hurt businesses and reduce job opportunities.

After reading Ehrenreich’s Nickeled and Dimed and Leidner’s Over the Counter at McDonald's, I believe that all full-time jobs should provide a living wage. Marx’s concept of alienation does apply to many workers who feel disconnected from their labor because they work repetitive tasks especially fast food, for very little pay.

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According to Henslin, sociological research is different from just watching people because it uses organized methods like surveys, experiments, and observation to study behavior. Sociologists have to be careful and make sure they don’t harm anyone and that they have permission to do the research. The methods used in research affect how reliable the results are, so it's important to think carefully and stay objective.

Would You Hire an Ex-Convict?, the study looks at how having a criminal record makes it harder for people to find jobs. By comparing job applicants with and without a criminal record, the study found that employers were less likely to hire people with a criminal past, especially Black people, showing racial inequality.

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Chapter 5: Socialization & 4.3 Social Constructions of Reality

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Chapter 5: Socialization & 4.3 Social Constructions of Reality

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Socialization is how people learn to behave in society through family, school, friends, and media. The way we see and understand the world is shaped by these influences, which means reality is socially constructed with what we think is "normal" depending on what society teaches us. People follow rules and expectations without always realizing it, and these expectations always change over time.

Goffman compares social life to a play, where people act differently in public than in private. We try to control how others see us by dressing, speaking, and acting in ways that fit the situation. People adjust their behavior based on who they are with and where they are. This shows that identity is not fixed but changes depending on the audience.

Thompson talks about how funeral workers deal with the stigma of working with dead bodies. Many people feel uncomfortable about death, so funeral workers use humor, professionalism, or emotional distance to handle it. They must act a certain way to make others feel comfortable and to be respected. This connects to Goffman’s idea that people “perform” different roles in society.

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Groups and organizations shape how people behave by setting rules and expectations. People often follow authority figures, even when they feel uncomfortable, because they don’t want to stand out or face consequences. Social pressure can make people act in ways they normally wouldn’t.

If Hitler asked you to electrocute a stranger, would you?

Meyer’s study looks at obedience to authority, showing that people will follow orders even if they think it's wrong. It connects to the Milgram experiment, where people kept shocking someone just because an authority figure told them to. This shows how group pressure and authority influence decisions, sometimes leading people to ignore their own morals. It helps explain why people in history, like Nazi soldiers, followed harmful orders without resisting and no remorse.

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Chapter 4.1: Types of Societies & Chapter 18: Work and Economy

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Chapter 4.1: Types of Societies & Chapter 18: Work and Economy

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Societies have changed over time, moving from small farming communities to modern economies focused on services and technology. Today, jobs and money shape people’s lives, but not everyone has the same opportunities. Some struggle to get by while others have plenty. The economy creates social classes that affect people’s daily lives.

Ehrenreich, in Nickeled and Dimed, tries working low wage jobs to see if she can survive on minimum wage. She quickly realizes that even with full-time work, it is impossible to afford rent, food, and other basic needs. Many people work multiple jobs and still struggle. this shows that hard work alone is not always enough to succeed. which leads me to wonder whether hard work makes success/

Leidner looks at how McDonald's workers have little independence and must follow strict rules. Their jobs are repetitive and very controlled. This makes training easy but leaves workers feeling like robots rather than workers. The study shows how big companies focus more on profit than on well-being, making many fast food jobs frustrating and very exhausting.

Wishard explains how older workers struggle to keep up with changes in the economy. Many jobs now require new technology skills, making it difficult for older employees to work or even compete with younger employees. As businesses change and evolve, older workers are often replaced and struggle to find new jobs. This shows how economic progress does not benefit everyone equally and can leave some people behind.

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I believe that good teaching leads to better learning very strongly. I can connect and relate to this because I've had experiences with bad teachers who cannot explain or teach for the life of them. I have failed my math class with the same exact teacher multiple times, and when I have to redo the class but with a different teacher, I always do better. I realized her teaching skills and tactics did not help me in any way. Math has always been my greatest struggle, and good explaining and patience are what help me learn.

Good teaching helps students understand better because the teacher explains things clearly and in a way that makes sense. When a teacher is patient and listens to students, it makes them feel more comfortable asking questions. Also, Teachers who make learning fun and interesting help students very much too. Teachers who are constantly making the class a great space to learn and to make mistakes also help better learning 100%. This kind of teaching makes it easier for students to remember and use what they have learned.

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Chapter 9: Social Stratification in the United States

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Chapter 9: Social Stratification in the United States

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Social stratification is how society is divided into classes based on money and opportunities. Some people have more advantages because they are born into wealthy families, while others struggle to move up. The rich often stay rich, and the poor have a hard time getting ahead.

Gans explains that poverty actually helps society in some ways. Poor people do low-paying jobs that others don’t want, which keeps prices lower for everyone else. They also make the rich feel better about their own success. Even though poverty is bad for those who experience it, society does not always try to get rid of it because some people benefit from it.

Morris and Grimes talk about how hard it is for poor people to move to a higher social class. Many try to improve their lives through education and hard work, but they still face challenges like discrimination, lack of connections, and financial struggles. Even when people escape poverty, they often feel out of place in higher-class settings.

Higley explains how the richest people in America stay in power. Wealthy families pass down their money, education, and influence to their children, making it hard for outsiders to even enter their world. They often attend elite schools, join exclusive social groups, and use their connections to stay in control of business and politics. This makes it difficult for regular people to reach the top, no matter how hard they try.

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The video shows how wealth in the U.S. is very unequal. A small group of people control most of the country’s money while many others struggle to make ends meet. Most people don’t realize how big the gap between the rich and poor is.

This connects to what I learned in this course because I connected it to what Gans said, which was that poverty actually helps the rich stay in power. it’s hard for poor people to move up, even with hard work. The video shows that the system is set up to keep the rich RICH and the poor stuck in poverty. It shows that the idea of the "American Dream" isn’t as true as people think.

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Obedience to authority or group conformity

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Obedience to authority or group conformity

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Mexican parenting is always very strict. My parents expect me and my siblings to ALWAYS listen and follow rules without question, or it will be seen as disrespectful. This taught me to be respectful and obedient to authority, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming or controlling. At home, I'm usually always focused on being obedient and respecting my elders even when it's a task I don't like or maybe I don't have the energy to do, but there will never be room to challenge them. However, in school, I noticed that group conformity becomes a big influence on me. I often feel pressure to fit in with what everyone else is doing, whether it’s the way I dress, talk, or act. There’s a lot of focus on being part of a group, and sometimes I feel like I have to follow what others are doing even if it doesn’t match what my parents would approve of. These influences from both my family and friends make it hard for me to make decisions on my own because I’m constantly balancing what my parents expect and also what my friends might expect from me.

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When I looked at 10 pieces of clothing and items I own, I realized that most of them were made outside of the United States. Many clothes and products are made in countries like China and Vietnam because it's cheaper for companies to produce goods there. These countries have lower labor costs, which helps businesses save money and sell products at lower prices. In America, labor laws, higher wages, and production costs make it more expensive to make things here. Many companies choose to manufacture their products abroad to keep prices affordable. For example, Shein is majorly used by Americans, and all its clothes come straight from China. China probably has one of the most corrupt labor companies, and it has gotten to the point where children are working. China is also mostly known for overworking their employees while they get extremely low pay in return, but that's one of the reasons why shein clothing is so cheap because its fast fashion.