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I am retaking Sociology, I first took this class in 2012 at the time I wanted to be a counselor but I had to drop out due to instability. 10 years later, I am continuing my education although my life direction has changed career-wise, I am determined to finish what I started. Sociology has always intrigued me. I am excited to see what this class is going to teach me.

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This is intriguing and unlike the approach that was taken with my previous sociology course. I am excited to see how this course changes my perspective of everyday items and how the outside world influences our decisions.

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The fact that people have been trying to grasp sociology without knowing it was a "thing". Sociology and other social sciences intertwine but are each their own unique studies. The fact that they are broken down further such as Sociology is by Structural and Interactional; Qualitative and Quantitative opens me up to how many different ways people can be studied. Like Henslin, I myself feel as I would lean more towards qualitative sociology orientation, his introduction saying that is stressed in this book will make for an interesting read.

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Sociological Imagination; is the concept that Sociology pushes us and trains us to explore connections between our individual lives and broader social factors(Mills). While reading about the history of denim and how it was once associated as the clothing of working-class men, is now worn by women and viewed as a high fashion item. Due to the Great Depression, the cultural meaning and material landscape of jeans began to change. It reminds me of what Mills says in The Promise "Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both." Had it not been for the Great Depression and the tariffs imposed would American-made fashion be a thing for other class men. Would women even be wearing jeans, would jeans even be socially acceptable in fashion, or still associated with a factory worker?
Thinking Frame: Structure/Agency I feel highly uncomfortable in a high-end (name brand) department store, for a while even JCPenney felt like a Neiman Marcus to me. The concept of spending x amount of money on one item made me anxious, mainly because I had never handled that much money. I grew up in a lower social class, where money was not spent on frivolous items. Who cared what brand they were most of the time the clothes were bought at a thrift store. Most recently I took a trip to T-Mobile, I am a dark-skinned Hispanic and I was dressed in sweatpants and a hoodie as I had driven all day to visit my mom, normally I wear Jeans to give the appearance of sophistication. I walked into the store, the T-Mobile representative looked me up and down took my name then the whole crew proceeded to ignore me for 2+ hours, while people came in were helped, and left, the only person that actually bought something was me. This is the same store I had visited prior dressed in business clothes and got prompt service for a complicated issue. I feel there is a huge advantage to people who are viewed to be in a higher class, the treatment is proof. That store would be a great place to study how treatment varies between race and social class.

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"Sociologists is a person intensively, endlessly. shamelessly interested in the doings of men" Studying all aspects of society, where nothing is off-limits. The curiosity for human interaction, the questions that are asked can lead you places you normally would not go but don't mind being if it can help piece together the answer. The chase for more insight and the change that it brings.
Berger said it best "the transformation of consciousness" the realization that things are not what they seem. Echoed in the quote by Berger in JCB Chap 1 Jeans "Seeing the strange in the familiar"  To know when you open yourself up to this type of view and how it changes your perspective is thrilling. Unlike most social sciences, Sociology is immersed in everyday life.  I find myself wondering if Nike really changed their working conditions when I look at my shoes...  Or if the homeless guy is a vet failed by the system that makes it impossible to get the help they need...

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"Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both." Troubles- private matters, have to do with an individual and their inner or immediate relations. Issues- is widespread has to do with the organization of many and historical societies.
The sociological imagination its promise is to enable us to grasp history and biography and the relations between the two within society.  The Great Depression had a huge impact on the economy, money was being lost by many. This issue also causes troubles for individual people, from suicide to families without. Things I learned about but had no real bearing on me personally.
Who thought I would live through once myself. COVID is the perfect example of how this virus caused a significant disturbance in history, the domino effect by which that disturbance impacted my job stability, the once-booming industry of student debt collections and taxes halted by protection mandates now put me out of work. What was created to help some Americans hurt others. Was I complacent in my work possibly, could this historical force be the best outcome for me, we are still working that out. This class is really a learning experience I would not have if it were not for this turning point in history.

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The first thing I truly bought myself was my own cellphone at the age of 19. I got a job and started saving to get a Boost Mobile Flip Phone. I felt empowered, and in a sense finally free. I was always having to borrow someone's phone and that for me was a bit embarrassing. It was not even a newer phone and I did not care. I had a big family growing up, we did not have much money. Since I was not the oldest child, I had to use hand me downs so something brand new was like gold. The phone I bought did not cost much and was not a popular phone but not to me it served its purpose. In a sense, my social class and where I stood in my family impacted what I considered satisfying(at that point in time).

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(H) Miner- Body Ritual Among the Nacirema

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(H) Miner- Body Ritual Among the Nacirema

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I did not get a chance to post in the discussion, as I read this passage prior to watching the lecture, I couldn't help but notice the eerie similarities between what he was describing Nacirema and our own culture. I was pleasantly surprised at the big reveal you gave. To view my own culture from that perspective is eye-opening. These realizations of the medicine doctor, and the unequal treatment provided to people who are ill because they have nothing of interest to give, are very real.

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(JCB) Chapter 2-You Are What You Eat: Cultures, Norms, and Values

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(JCB) Chapter 2-You Are What You Eat: Cultures, Norms, and Values

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Among cultures, what we eat and how we eat varies. Ethnocentrism how people perceive or accept what others do is based on their cultural norms or values believed to be superior; Some people are able to form some type of cultural relativism, the wealthy for instance may be more inclined to try Escargot because they are open to or have access to France, therefore, they have had the time to accept it as a delicacy.
The side-by-side picture on Page 34 from the book Hungry Planet: What The World Eats, really opens my eyes to what is even homemade and the level of food inequality in society speaks volumes. Looking at the family from America, it is mostly boxed processed food not a single item actually produced or harvested by hand. In American culture, the cost of a fast-food is less than what it would cost to get some vegetables from the market. This really makes me think about the Marxist theoretical perspectives and the concept of commodity fetishism and how real it is. The various processes for mass production of these boxed foods and labor of each process in America today. The impact COVID had for instance on food production and transportation. The attention brought to the workers of meat factories and the conditions in which they were forced to work looked into.  The scarcity of food available to consumers due to the supply chain being affected.

Durkheim's theoretical perspective of Food as Totem is one of the best ways I have had Thanksgiving explained to me. For years American culture has been fed this concept of family togetherness and tradition centered around a fixed meal. I am Salvadorean, and my father's family loves to cook whole pigs when they celebrate, other cultures would frown upon eating what they view as a sacred animal.

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Children are taken to facilities each day only months old while their parents work to support their household, or if their parents no longer want to be bothered with them. They are then taught the institution's way of life. It was frowned upon if they spoke their home language. While the children are young these services are paid for by the families the children come from. These babes grow up to know of them as mothers, although they have their own. Their guides at this facility learn to know the children better and develop relationships. Once the children meet certain age, they are transitioned elsewhere. Generally, unless families have superiority and want privacy for the children, they no longer have to pay. If the children do not show up when they are scheduled the families get summoned for review. If the children remain truant the families can face punishment.

(daycare/school)

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(JCB) Contrasting Durkheimian and Marxist perspectives

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(JCB) Contrasting Durkheimian and Marxist perspectives

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When I was growing up tamales served as a totem. Every December for the Christmas holidays my family would get together and make tamales. This food is well known in the Mexican culture, it has always been a tradition for us to spend a full day or weekend together helping in making tamales and the outcome was delicious. The number of tamales we made for the family looked like we were preparing for a feast.
Looking into what a tamale is made of, there are the corn husks that are outside, there is the masa(also corn) that is spread onto the husks. Herbs and spices, my mom has always stressed the use of Mccormick seasoning, pork or chicken would then go inside with some red sauce.

Through the Marxist lens of commodity fetishism, I look into what company produced corn husks which coincidentally is the same company our spices come from. https://www.mccormickcorporation.com/en/responsibility/purpose-led-performance
There is this part of me that wonders what sparked such interest in helping the farmer as shown in the link. Is it a result of past scrutiny of how they take care of their farmers? Have they always had this interest? Is it all a facade to a certain extent?
Another key ingredient would be the meat, the mass production of pork meat and chicken from farm to the table almost makes it unbearable to think that I am eating it. Thankfully society has cracked down and enforced some type of regulation trying to keep the slaughter and conditions as best as they can for animals that are raised to die. More people get involved in trying to the abuse that these animals see. The factory workers clean and cut down the meat. The long hours worked for low pay.

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Purpose-led Performance

Our 2019 Purpose-led Performance Report outlines our 2025 goals for McCormick's work to improve the health and well-being of all people, build vibrant communities where we live, work and source, and make a positive impact on the planet.
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Introduction to Purpose-led Performance

We're proud to launch our 2019 Performance-led Performance Report, reflecting our work to improve the health and well-being of all people; to build vibrant communities where we live, work and source; and to make a positive impact on the planet. Watch this video to learn more.

USAID East Africa Trade Hub Project

McCormick identifies the needs of our global sourcing communities to help enhance social and economic livelihoods. We fund vanilla processing centers in remote communities, allowing farmers to reap additional economic benefits from processing operations. Watch this video to learn more.

Supporting Our Farmers

Through Purpose-led Performance, McCormick is committed to supporting our farmers and farming communities worldwide. Here's how we're positively impacting the communities in which we live, work, and source our raw materials. Watch this video to learn more.

Our 2025 Goals For Sustainability

McCormick is dedicated to pursuing our environmental goals, as stated in the 2019 Purpose-led Performance Report. McCormick is passionate about sustainability, and we feel confident that we'll meet the goals we've set by 2025. Watch this video to learn more.

Our Commitment to People: 2025 Goals

30% ethnically diverse talent (EDT) in senior leadership positions in the U.S.

50% women in senior leadership positions globally.

30% employee participation in Ambassador Groups globally.

95% of all employees globally with active development goals.

80% of employees participating in voluntary health and well-being programs globally.

50% increase in number of McCormick Science Institute citations in professional literature

90% of products with improved transparency (non-GMO, BPA-free, organic).

Our Commitment to Communities: 2025 Goals

Increase resilience of 90% of smallholder farmers that grow our iconic herbs and spices, as measured by increasing skills and capacity, income, access to financial services, education, and nutrition and health.

80% employee participation in Charity Day Globally.

Our Commitment to the Planet: 2025 Goals

Source all herbs and spices in our portfolio sustainably, beginning with 100% of our branded iconic ingredients.

20% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from our facilities.

16% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

20% reduction in water use from our facilities.

80% recycling and recovery of solid waste from our facilities.

25% reduction in carbon footprint from packaging.

100% circular plastics packaging.

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Purpose-Led Performance | McCormick Corporation

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Our 2019 Purpose-led Performance Report outlines our 2025 goals for McCormick's work to improve the health and well-being of all people, build vibrant communities where we live, work and source, and make a positive impact on the planet.

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(H) Pg 109-117 Hall & Hall, The Sounds of Silence

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(H) Pg 109-117 Hall & Hall, The Sounds of Silence

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Non-verbal communication body language, gestures, facial expressions. I would have to say I am one who conveys a lot of what I say both inadvertently and on purpose. I can't hide the look of "ugh" from my face when I am around people I do not favor. The study of pupils that Hess looked into because his wife pointed out how she can tell what he was reading is interesting was something to think about. Even worked when I put an object that my child liked in front of him, at the moment he before reached out to grab the item his little pupils grew. He really wanted that candy.
After a long day of working and being pulled on by my kids, I withdraw from human touch and interaction, unknowingly sending signals of uninterest or lack of desire to my significant other, when really I have surpassed my comfort level due to my upbringing it's a wonder I show any type of physical acts of love.

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(H) Pg 118-134 Clark,  Sympathy in Everyday Life

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(H) Pg 118-134 Clark,  Sympathy in Everyday Life

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The 4 sympathy rules are eye-opening as are the imaginary but oh so real credits one is allowed. In Aesop's story, the boy who cried wolf was only helped soo many before they no longer went to his aide is a great learning point. Sympathy is not always readily available to people who don't want to help themselves out of the problems they complain about.
On the flip, some people refuse to accept sympathy because it may jeopardize one superior standpoint. I do not feel as I am superior I do see the impact it could make to allow yourself to be vulnerable to sympathy.

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The varying sociological research methods are quite interesting put in this perspective. The SuperBowl has a role in Advertising. The amount of money that people pay for airtime is insane. The advertising companies do the most to engage. From connecting on emotional levels, catering to certain age groups. The wild one I noticed this year was the scannable QR code that signed people up to crypto. It makes me wonder what operationalization process they took to determine how many people would click on this since they earned ROI.

Ethnography and participant observation have always been fascinating, although I did not know there was a name for it. I like to watch a lot of gangland or Vice TV shows where the reporters live the life of the people they are interviewing. I question their actions and find myself wondering if that is something I could do. As they evolved into participant observation the reporters were shown more.

Survey Research- something I can't seem to ignore is how many surveys are always in my face these days. Order something online-boom survey, Use an App-Survey. Live in California-Survey. Seeing all of those surveys makes me wonder how many people even respond. Are there enough people participating for these companies to get an accurate valid measure?

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(H) Pg 29-47 Henslin Doing Sociological Research

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(H) Pg 29-47 Henslin Doing Sociological Research

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Theory-- every day we find ourselves interpreting things around us. Symbolic interactionism is the theory that I find myself gravitating toward most. How we construct meaning and use symbols to communicate. The themes of symbolic interaction have me looking deeper into my actions.
When I was growing up I was not shown nurturing love I did not get hugged as a child, those types of physical interactions felt foreign to me. Now as I grow older I see how that shaped how I show affection to my own children or significant others. How odd it feels to see other families with that close bond, or when I go to visit my significant other's family and everyone expects a hug and I just don't want to be touched. That is where the third theme comes to play, as I take into account how his family would feel if I just didn't hug them, as if I didn't like or respect them, so I overcome how I feel and greet them in a way they expect.
There are many steps involved with constructing a topic for research. Then they look toward deciding which research method to use. All have benefits however you must look at the question that you want to be answered. Also, your training in sociology quantitative/qualitative can impact the choice of method used.
Survey- is a research method that I feel would be beneficial with today's technology because you can touch a wide variety of people with different backgrounds if the study was not too personal. The difficult part finding people who would take the time in today's busy life to take part in it.
Secondary Analysis/Documents- I feel as Secondary analysis and documents go hand in hand, due to both using information not gathered on their own, and access to it may not always be available, or collected for the purpose of one's own research.
Experiments-although beneficial for other social studies not much in sociology.
hearing about unobtrusive measures was interesting and rather creepy. To hear that researchers have gone high tech in their unobtrusive measures(Hays 2004) like retailers putting infrared surveillance devices to track high traffic areas to place items there for higher profit (McCarthy 1993)
I agree with Henslin as participant observation is most exciting and interesting to me. To watch how people react/interact in a particular setting and how it can vary by how people perceive the observer.

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(H) Pg 63-72: Pager, Would You Hire an Ex-Convict?

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(H) Pg 63-72: Pager, Would You Hire an Ex-Convict?

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The study was rather eye-opening, I am curious since the data was from 20 years ago or so would the results differ now. I personally know felons, at my former employer and had overheard this rather rude coworker make a comment about how the Government gives businesses tax breaks and incentives if they hire an Ex-Convict, and now she has to train and work with them. This guy legit was leading our commission goals and never understood why she said all that.

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Sitting waiting for my car, 5 others in the chairs around me.

Two men balance their laptops on their laps while a woman reads a book in the seat in between. A younger man is pacing the show floor although it seems like he is talking to himself he has an airpod in and is on the phone.

I did not want to balance my laptop so I drag a table from the middle of the gathering area to my chair, feeling all eyes on me. Unsure why they never thought to do that or maybe thinking "gasp what has she done". One of the sitting men gets up puts the laptop down and walking to the espresso machine the look on his face reveals he is unsure of how to use it, makes the decision to try it out, and begins to press the buttons to make a hot coffee. I could tell it was not that great as he left it on the side of his chair after the first drink.

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(JCB) Chapter 10 Branding/ The Self and Social Interaction

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(JCB) Chapter 10 Branding/ The Self and Social Interaction

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The Idea of Self is so perplexed. Yet something I have never felt I understood so well. Mead's idea of The I, the me, and the generalized other. Then there was Goffman's dramaturgical perception of the self which the world is a "stage" and we are giving the impression of ourselves to different audiences.

Branding had gotten really big, and what is in style is always evolving. While I was growing up you were looked as a poorer class for wearing the DC Champion brand, it was found at payless and we were a bit embarrassed to wear it. Now that same brand is super popular and costs a lot of money to obtain. People in higher social classes are not wearing that brand. I remember when we would shop at the thrift stores we always tried to find name-brand items, even though it was second hand the brand made us feel as equal.

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(H) 135-146: Goffman, The Presentation of the Self in Everyday Life

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(H) 135-146: Goffman, The Presentation of the Self in Everyday Life

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I agree with Goffman, Shakespeare's As You Like It best portrays human interaction and representation of self in life. Often people don't realize that they are constantly changing "costumes" as they go about their everyday life. As they are accustomed to the repetition from the time they were born. From child(son/daughter) to student & child, as more roles come into play they change into the person that best suits it.

For instance, my mother curses worse than a sailor, the way our family communicates would make visitors uncomfortable when they first see us together, however, if I went out to greet someone else's mom I would never talk to them that way. I would change my demeanor to best suit my audience.

When I am communicating with others in work or public life, I am more cheery and personable than when I am at home and comfortable around the people I am with or alone. People can put on appearances but even though they can consciously put forth the way they talk or dress, there are still unconscious actions that tell what the person is truly feeling such as facial expression, or Goffman's example of the visitors in Shetland Isle.

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(H) 249-264: Thompson, Handling the Stigma of Handling the Dead

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(H) 249-264: Thompson, Handling the Stigma of Handling the Dead

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First off I never would have imagined that morticians/ funeral directors make so much money. Dealing with the stigma that shrouds this occupation has got to be tiring and in my opinion, they deserve that money.

Thompson's study is eye-opening, to the way morticians are perceived and how they handle it. The symbolic redefinition for the terms of death and its handling is an amazing technique. It makes people more at ease with the ordeal. The emotional detachment and other ways they manage the stigma surrounding their occupation reminds me of how I presented my occupation that was also looked at with disdain, just on a different level.

For the past 10 years, I was a debt collector. There is a stigma associated with debt collectors. I was on the fence about getting into that field, once I started interacting with people I noticed how they changed a bit when I told them what I do. Or there was always some joke to be made about it. I started to call myself an account assistor. Instead of saying I collected on IRS taxes, I told about how I helped people get out of IRS debt. Without even knowing it I was using the symbolic redefinition technique. When I would call the people who owed the funds, I had to be emotionally detached because their circumstances did not change the outcome in any way. When we were not on our calls we had jokes about people who made hung up on us or would as what was the worst cuss word that was spouted at you. I always tried to communicate to the debtors and the public that I was just trying to help them take care of an issue that just builds and will never go away.
Lastly, under no circumstance did I let anyone know how much money I was making in commission by Helping people pay their taxes or student loans.

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Required Entry JCB p 40 Shopping for "we-ness"

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Required Entry JCB p 40 Shopping for "we-ness"

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Chapter 4 Coffee: Class Distinction And "Good" Taste

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Chapter 4 Coffee: Class Distinction And "Good" Taste

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Starbucks has always been a symbol of a higher social status, the idea of paying x amount for a coffee has not appeased me. Usually, the coffee I made at home tasted better. Until I started working in a social setting, a paid-by-performance job and I wanted to surround myself with the highest-paid to learn how to be successful. I started to consume it just to fit in with the people who made the most money, to go with them on breaks and lunches to discuss the job. There were times when I was struggling financially but did not want to be looked at that way, so I bought that overpriced beverage to maintain my social status within my work environment. When the money flowed in I didn't think twice about how much I paid for the coffee at that point it became a daily habit or ritual. I feel Sushi is another commodity that can show a certain social status, it is a delicacy and there is an art to making it, not to mention the price.

Fair Trade, ethical consumption, and corporate public relations: Looking at the website for fairworldproject.org, I see that they are big in not only fair trade but fair work. Going to Hershey's website they have a tab dedicated to sustainability and responsible resourcing as well as highlights of how they make an impact to fight child labor on the main page. I feel that the claims of making changes on child labor are a bit out of touch when you start to read into the statistics.

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I do find Gans's analysis of the function of poverty surprisingly accurate even more now than when it was originally published. The Crisis with COVID shed light on how quickly they could remedy homelessness if it causes too much of an impact on the affluent and more powerful groups. Funds that were provided to the lower class for stability were seen to some as a crutch hindering their company's ability to produce. People were paid a comfortable living wage without having to work for it. It shed light on the flaws of the system of people whose occupation it was to serve the poor. People who never voted started to and we saw a shift in political leads.