Sociological Imagination
Human life is, by definition, fraught with difficulty and challenge. Often, whatever difficulty an individual experiences feels so dire and unique that it is impossible to imagine that others could experience the same, or indeed, that it could be part of a wider sociological issue. Nevertheless, it is possible, with the "sociological imagination" (Mills, 1959) to create a more contextualized or collective vision of suffering and other social phenomena.
Using sociological imagination, an individual can posiion him- or herself within a certain context, period of time, and sociological environment. Doing this makes the individual awar of othr individuals within the same context or environment, which further enables the person to understand that his or her situation might be, after all, echoed in other households as well.
In doing this, the individual can also identify social and historical forces that has led to the conditions experienced by the individual and the collective…...
mlaReferences
American Psychological Association. (2013). Retrieved from: www.APA.org.
Conley, Dalton. (2013). You May Ask Yourself: An Introduction to Thinking Like a Sociologist (3rd ed.). NY: Norton
Societies that have obtained and thrived on sociological imagination are usually within countries that experience freedom and have improved cultures. In most cases, social environments or communities without sociological imagination have always experienced ruling regimes as the standard (Maher par, 4). These communities have also have people's lives confined in a modest standard that has continued to plague the particular society for many centuries.
Generally, sociological imagination has several important lessons and insights into life, people and the society or community. For an individual, sociological imagination enables him/her to not only understand his/her own experiences but to also evaluate him/herself within a certain period. Additionally, individuals are also able to understand their chances in life by being aware of the people in their circumstances and social environments. Every individual's life contributes to the shaping of the society he/she lives in and to the history of that society. On the other…...
mlaWorks Cited:
Maher, Josh. "Sociological Imagination." Josh Maher's Blog. WordPress.com., 7 Jan. 2007. Web. 2 Dec. 2010. .
Mills, C.W. "The Sociological Imagination - Chapter One: The Promise." Lewis & Clark College. Lewis & Clark. Web. 2 Dec. 2010. .
Sociological Imagination & Disease Treatment
To a person from a esternized country, illness or disease is a medical problem. For example, a person who is ill sees a doctor, undergoes medical tests, and then follows the doctor's instructions. It is not unusual to find patients battling the disease on their own.
For a friend from est Africa, however, the individual approach to battling disease is incomprehensible. He believes that illness is best addressed in a community context, with a patient surrounded by an army of friends and loved ones.
right Mills believed that people should locate themselves "within his period which he can know his own chances in life only by becoming aware of those of all individuals in his circumstances." This involves developing a worldview which "understand(s) the larger historical scene in terms of its meaning of the inner life and the external career of a variety of individuals" (Mills 5).
The development…...
mlaWorks Cited
Mills, Charles Wright. The Sociological Imagination. New York: Grove Press, 1961.
Some, Malidoma Patrice. The Healing Wisdom of Africa: Finding Life Purpose through Nature, Ritual and Community. New York: Putnam, 1998.
Sociological Imagination
Imagining a different life in a different culture is not so difficult. If I had been born a woman, for example, even a little more than one hundred years ago in the United States, I would certainly have a different life. I would not be able to vote, or have a career outside the home. I would probably be a Christian, but I would certainly view the world differently. The world would be far more mysterious than it is today because there would be no television, no radio, and probably no running water in my home, or electricity, unless I was wealthy. I would not know what was going on around the world until long after it happened and was reported in the newspaper, and I would not understand the plight of third-world countries. I would probably be less tolerant of other races and cultures, and would not…...
To be able to do that is to possess the sociological imagination" (1959). In order for one to fully understand the current recession and his/her position within society he or she needs to do two things. The first is be self-conscious of the intimate and personal decisions one has made that has led him/her down his/her current path, the second thing is to understand the structural factors that ultimately precipitate the economic downturn. The aforementioned paragraphs give one, at least, a cursory understanding of why he/she is unemployed or underemployed. The economy, despite several infusions of cash by the Federal Government - TARP (trouble assets relief program) or as it's also known, "the bank-bailout" and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -- has still not fully recovered. Ironically, the banks are now thriving once again, the stock market has recovered, but many people in the middle class are still…...
mlaWorks Cited
Lewis, M. (2010). The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine. New York: W.W.
Norton & Company.
Mills, C.W. (1959). Sociological Imagination. Retrieved from http://legacy.lclark.edu/~goldman/socimagination.html
Mishel, L. (2006). CEO-to-worker pay imbalance grows. Economic Policy Institute.
1415). What could be of great utility from Miller and Stark's theorizing is the understanding of how gender socialization varies among societies, among nations. It aligns itself with classical thinking which states that women are more care-giving and more reserved because of the sexual division of labor (as seen in the results of the study in Japanese society where traditional gender roles persists) and at the same time it departs from this thinking when it said that more liberal, non-traditional roles can now be seen in other societies as well (as demonstrated by the results of the study in American society). As Mills has posited, it is important for us to be able to swiftly shift from one perspective to another. In this case, to shift from the classical Durkheimian sociology of sexual division of labor to the modernist perspective of Miller & Stark, which incorporates how gender roles…...
mlaReferences
Clifton, R.A. et al. (2008). Gender, Psychosocial Dispositions, and the Academic Achievement of College Students. Research in Higher Education (49), pp. 684-703.
Entwistle, J. "Sex/Gender" in Core Sociological Dichotomies. Sage Publications: London.
Miller, a. & Stark, R. (2002). Gender and Religiousness: Can Socialization Explanations Be Saved? American Journal of Sociology, 107 (6), pp. 1399-1423.
Mills, C.W. (1959). Sociological Imagination. Middlesex: Penguin Books.
Sociology
The sociological imagination refers to the ability to see the world as a sociologist would: that is, by viewing individuals and relationships in terms of social structures, institutions, values, and norms. Usually, the sociological imagination addresses squarely the concepts of race, class, gender, and social power. One of the premier American philosophers of the early twentieth century, W.E.B. DuBois had an active sociological imagination. DeBois recognized the relationship between race and social status; between race and socio-economic class; and also between gender and social power. As a co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), W.E.B. DuBois foresaw the means by which African-Americans could recognize institutional racism and overcome it. Moreover, DuBois understood the importance of personal and collective identity, especially as identity relates to race, class, gender, and social status. In his premier sociological treatise, The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B. DuBois works with a…...
Sociological Theories
Functionalism is usually defined as viewing society from the aspect of its different parts, and how those parts relate to each other and society as a whole. Many functionalists liken society to a biological form, such as the human body, with its different organs all working in conjunction to keep the body as a whole functioning. Each of the elements of the body has a "function- to maintain the whole, so ensuring the stability or order of the system." (Bissell, 2005, p.41) But while each element has a manifest function, or the function that is expected from it, there are also unexpected functions called latent functions.
On the other hand, Conflict Theory states that the different parts of a society are in a state of conflict over the limited resources available to society. While Functionalism stresses the unity between the different groups, "conflict theory emphasizes strife and friction" between groups.…...
mlaReferences
Anderson, Margaret, Howard Francis Taylor. (2008). Sociology: Understanding a Diverse Society. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Print.
Bissell, Paul, Janine Morgall Traulsen. (2005). Sociology and Pharmacy Practice. London: Pharmaceutical Press. Print.
Ritzer, George. (1992). Sociological Theory. New York: McGraw Hill. Print.
Sifferlin, Alexandra. (9 Dec. 2013). "Sandy Hook Families Seek Privacy On Anniversary
e. As waitresses.)
II. Social Action
Max eber developed the concept of social action as a means of describing those actions that take into account actions and reactions of other people, then modifying that action based on those occurrences. Sociologists employ social action as a conceptual model as a means of determining how certain behaviors are modified in specific environments. hen we evaluate the norms of social discourse and the customs that prevail in any given society, we see how social action works.
Importantly, social action takes into consideration reactions of others. hen the reaction of an individual or group is not wanted, then the action will be modified accordingly. Sociology is essentially the study of social action, as it takes into account the way society functions and the way human behavior is established in societal structures. According to social action theory, people change their actions according to what social context they find…...
mlaWorks Cited
Cohen, Roger. "Her Jewish State." The New York Times Magazine, July 8, 2007.
Mills, C.W. The Sociological Imagination. London: Oxford University Press, 1959.
Current Event Due 11:55p Sunday eek 5 the eek 5 Homework 2 Assignment meets objectives: Apply a sociological perspective social world. Analyze contemporary social issues sociological imagination sociological theories concepts analyze everyday life.
The Ukraine conflict has generated much controversy in recent months as a community of experts has gotten actively involved in discussing the topic and in attempting to provide solution to the crisis. Even with the fact that initial decisions were related to getting an international body to intervene and influence the two belligerent camps to put down their weapons, it gradually became clear that the situation would require more thought and that the people involved are reluctant to yield to their adversaries. Shaun alker and Howard Amos's article "Ukraine civil war fears mount as volunteer units take up arms" provides information with regard to the critical nature of the conflict.
By analyzing matters from a sociological perspective, one can…...
mlaWorks cited:
Newman, E., & DeRouen, K. (2014). Routledge Handbook of Civil Wars. Routledge.
Walker, Shaun, & Amos, Howard. Ukraine civil war fears mount as volunteer units take up arms. Retrieved on May 16, 2014, from: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/15/ukraine-civil-war-fears-mount-volunteer-units-kiev-russia
Ethnic Minorities and ConflictIntroductionHow are ethnic minorities depicted in a popular TV show compared to the white characters? The question of how ethnic minorities are depicted in popular TV shows is sociologically important because it can help to reveal underlying attitudes and beliefs about race. I chose to examine this question by comparing the way that white and minority characters are portrayed on TV. Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions. Sociologists examine the family, education, religion, politics, economics, race, gender, and other areas of social life. They use both qualitative methods (such as interviews, participant observation, and focus groups) to study human behavior in natural settings and quantitative methods (such as surveys and statistical analysis) to measure trends and general patterns. Sociology is important because it helps us to understand the social world around us and how it affects our lives. It can also help us…...
mlaReferencesEdwards, A., Housley, W., Williams, M., Sloan, L., & Williams, M. (2013). Digital social research, social media and the sociological imagination: Surrogacy, augmentation and re-orientation. International journal of social research methodology, 16(3), 245-260.Hampton, K. N. (2017). Studying the digital: Directions and challenges for digital methods. Annual Review of Sociology, 43, 167-188.Krippendorff, K. (2018). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology. Sage publications.Singh, G., & Pandey, N. (2017). Role and impact of media on society: A sociological approach with respect to demonetisation. IMPACT: International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Literature, 5(10), 127-136.Thorpe, H., & Olive, R. (2016). Conducting observations in sport and exercise settings. In Routledge handbook of qualitative research in sport and exercise (pp. 146-160). Routledge.Media type:__TV Show__ Title:__Vice Principals___ Time/Date:___HBO Max_Nov. 2022____ Characters Race/Ethnicity Gender Age Social Status Behaviors/Actions/stereotypes Neal Gamby white M 40s Middle class Violent, opinionated, self-centered, but also with a strong sense of justice; he sees himself as the law enforcer in the school; however, in his personal life he is often conflicted, hypocritical, and inconsistent; ultimately heroic in spite of many bad actions. He becomes Principal of an elementary school in the end. Lee Russell whie M 40s Middle class Crude, manipulative, deceptive, lies to get ahead, plots to get revenge, secretive, but ultimately loyal to his friend—his one redeeming quality. He becomes the manager of a fashion chain retail store. Dr. Belinda Brown black F 40s Upper middle class Likeable and polished on the surface, but capable of being mean and bossy, too. “Flattery will get you everywhere,” she says to Lee, which angers Neal, who is incapable of false pretense. She can inspire students but she is hated by Neal and Lee both, who see her as an outsider and usurper to their “rightful” position as Principal. She eventually quits the job after being blackmailed by Neal and Lee following a spat with her husband. She goes back to Philadelphia to reunite with her husband. Amanda Snodgrass white F 30s Middle class She is a well-meaning teacher who tries to do the right thing but lacks the authority and grit sometimes, which is what Neal brings. They eventually fall in love Dayshawn black M 30s Lower class The average man who works the student cafeteria, he sees all things and is Neal’s support in the school, often Neal’s confidante Mi Cha Asian F 60s Middle class Lee’s mother-in-law, she is antagonistic to Lee and often complains about his inadequacies. Dascious Brown black M 40s Middle class The neglected husband of Dr. Brown, he comes to town to get his wife and children back and to atone for past sins
Suicide and Society
Suicide: An Individual Phenomenon or a Societal Construct?
Statistics show that suicide rates in the U.S. are highly predictable. It is annually expected each year that over 30,000 suicides will occur, as compared to about 17,000 homicides. This stable and predictable estimate of suicide rate stems from a precise analysis of social factors describing four separate categories of suicidal influences: egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic. According to the functionalist theory described by Emile Durkheim, rates are social facts based on other established social facts, and thus have a sociological basis. As suicide rates are social facts, Durkheim set out to provide an empirical basis of social explanation regarding suicide, providing a far different account of trends than the previously perceived notion that suicide is based purely on individual or psychological reasons. Thus, the phenomenon of what actually motivates the occurrence of suicide can be examined from a social perspective,…...
mlaBibliography
Dunman LJ. "Suicide." The Emile Durkheim Archive. 2003. The Bettmann Archive. 18 Mar. 2004. http://durkheim.itgo.com/suicide.html
Henslin JM. Down to Earth Sociology, 12th Edition. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2003.
Knapp P. "The Functionalist Analysis of Deviance." Peter Knapp Homepage. 1994. Villanova
University. 18 Mar. 2004. www94.homepage.villanova.edu/peter.knapp/Intro1-24.ppt
Notably, as a reform-minded Catholic himself, he argues that the Virgin Mary is the first to reach the shore safely, with her baby in tow, and that the Pope is the first to die, following his riches into the sea. His goal of speaking to reform-minded Catholics is achieved through a witty dialog format. This colloquy establishes a metaphorical description of the reform in the Church. While it is difficult to follow for the lay person or the student of history without in-depth knowledge of the Church and the Reformation, it serves its function by bringing history to light in a dramatic and surprising new way.
Zola's Germinal, and the relevant passages which describe the workers' strike presents a grim and realistic view of the state of workers in relation to the owning classes during a coalminer strike in northern France in the mid-1800s. The description of the workers' living…...
Sociology and Feminist Theories on Gender Studies
Postmodern Feminism in "Cherrie Moraga and Chicana Lesbianism"
In the article entitled, "Cherrie Moraga and Chicana Lesbianism," author Tomas Almaguer analyzes and studies the dynamics behind Moraga's feminist reading of the Chicano culture and society that she originated from. In the article, Almaguer focuses on three elements that influenced Moraga's social reality as she was growing up: the powerful effect of the Chicano culture, patriarchal orientation, and homosexuality that she experienced within the context of her nationality.
Chicano culture centers on race as an indicator of one's cultural orientation, while patriarchy serves as the ideology that is prevalent in Moraga's social reality. Homosexuality, particularly, lesbianism, is Moraga's release from the somewhat repressing role that she perceives women receive in her culture. Thus, lesbianism becomes Moraga's alternative sexual orientation to a heterosexually conservative Chicano culture. Using the following factors concerning the cultural, social, and gender realities of…...
Sociology
Introducing Alexa Madison
Basic facts from her childhood
Basic facts from her adolescence
Basic facts from her young adult life
Issues related to race
Detailed analysis of race-related issues in Alexa's life
acial identity in a multicultural society: the factors that help create an individual's racial identity and membership in a specific social group based on race or ethnicity.
Implications for social status; in particular, the self-perception of African-Americans vs. The expectations placed on African-Americans
Stereotypes
Institutionalized racism
Link to external sources to present Alexa's life in the broader context of African-American culture, life, and history.
The 2008 film Crips and Bloods: Made in America is about gang warfare and violence in Los Angeles, but the underlying message is that problems impacting black communities in the 21st century have their roots in institutionalized racism.
(a) Alexa might not have had any interaction with gang members, but her experiences reflect an ongoing struggle for African-Americans to create and sustain their own social networks…...
mlaReferences
Anderson, E. (1994). The code of the streets. The Atlantic. May 1994. Retrieved online: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1994/05/the-code-of-the-streets/306601/
Crips & Bloods: Made in America (2008) (excerpt, 41 min.)
Epstein, C.F. (2007). "The Global Subordination of Women." Pp. 283-302 in The Spirit of Sociology: A Reader, 3rd ed., edited by Ron Matson. Boston: Pearson.
Lareau, A. 2010 [2002]. "Invisible Inequality: Social Class and Childrearing in Black Families and White Families." Pp. 611-626 in Mapping the Social Landscape: Readings in Sociology, 6th ed., edited by Susan J. Ferguson. New York: McGraw Hill.
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