For use with assignment
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1900-1940
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Learn about the early 20th-century social thing called a Picture Bride by clicking on the links below.
You can watch the drama of a Picture Bride meeting below by watching from the 2'18 minute mark to the 4'03 mark. Unless you speak Japanese you will not be able to understand some of the dialogue but even without a translation, you can still see how the bride, Riyo, arrives in Hawaii with a photograph of her husband to be, Matsuji, that doesn't look much like the Matsuji she meets in person. I made some screen stills for you with the dialogue translated to help you understand, which are posted directly below the video.
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1940-1980
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Migrants like Matsuji and Riyo, who settled in the United States and started families (people who would one day identify as Japanese-Americans) had a dramatic shift in status during World War II. Read about it below. Think of these things affecting 60-year old Matsuji and Riyo and their children and, possibly, their children's children. If you can't remember who Matsuji and Riyo are you can refresh your memory by scrolling up. Listen to the following four clips and read the link that follows
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When World War II ended Japanese-Americans who were interned for the duration of the war were allowed to go back home. They did and resettled back into their lives. Below is a story about a man who got identified one night in a bar in Detroit as a Japanese American, but was actually Chinese-American.
Pay attention to the date 1982 + contextualize it in the context of The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
Vincent Chin was identified by Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz as Japanese-American - or, perhaps, just as a Japanese person or a symbol for Japanese brand vehicles being sold in the United States, or, perhaps, just as a stranger or foreigner to the United States. He was actually Chinese-American. Vincent's dad fought in World War II and so won the right to bring a picture bride from China to the United States. Which he did. Vincent mom, Lily. And then the two of them adopted Vincent from China and the raised him from a few weeks old in Detroit as an American and Chinese-American.
Below you can get a quick little lesson on important U.S. policies that affected Chinese migrants and then later Chinese immigrants and Chinese-Americans. Think about when they happened in relation to the history of Japanese migration to the United States, as well as Executive Order 9066, posted above.
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1900-1940
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Learn about the early 20th-century social thing called a Picture Bride by clicking on the links below.
You can watch the drama of a Picture Bride meeting below by watching from the 2'18 minute mark to the 4'03 mark. Unless you speak Japanese you will not be able to understand some of the dialogue but even without a translation, you can still see how the bride, Riyo, arrives in Hawaii with a photograph of her husband to be, Matsuji, that doesn't look much like the Matsuji she meets in person. I made some screen stills for you with the dialogue translated to help you understand, which are posted directly below the video.
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1940-1980
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Migrants like Matsuji and Riyo, who settled in the United States and started families (people who would one day identify as Japanese-Americans) had a dramatic shift in status during World War II. Read about it below. Think of these things affecting 60-year old Matsuji and Riyo and their children and, possibly, their children's children. If you can't remember who Matsuji and Riyo are you can refresh your memory by scrolling up. Listen to the following four clips and read the link that follows
- Listen to and read about this little 25-minute story called "The Round-Up"
- Listen to and read about this little 25-minute story called "The Order"
- Listen to and read about this little 25-minute story called "Prison Cities"
- Listen to and read about this little 25-minute story called "Leaving Camp"
- Read through Executive Order 9066 - 1
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1980-2010
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When World War II ended Japanese-Americans who were interned for the duration of the war were allowed to go back home. They did and resettled back into their lives. Below is a story about a man who got identified one night in a bar in Detroit as a Japanese American, but was actually Chinese-American.
- The story of Lily and (her son) Vincent (1955-1982)
- More on Lily and Vincent below
Pay attention to the date 1982 + contextualize it in the context of The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
Vincent Chin was identified by Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz as Japanese-American - or, perhaps, just as a Japanese person or a symbol for Japanese brand vehicles being sold in the United States, or, perhaps, just as a stranger or foreigner to the United States. He was actually Chinese-American. Vincent's dad fought in World War II and so won the right to bring a picture bride from China to the United States. Which he did. Vincent mom, Lily. And then the two of them adopted Vincent from China and the raised him from a few weeks old in Detroit as an American and Chinese-American.
Below you can get a quick little lesson on important U.S. policies that affected Chinese migrants and then later Chinese immigrants and Chinese-Americans. Think about when they happened in relation to the history of Japanese migration to the United States, as well as Executive Order 9066, posted above.
Sidney Poitier didn't have a son
The basics
We started the course with a single study, An Experimental Study of the Small World Problem (1967), which was researched and written by Stanley Milgram. Now let's end the course with a play, Six Degrees of Separation (1990) by John Guare. You will need around six hours to work through this material.
6. Finally, watch the first 45 minutes of the documentary below, Born Rich (2003) for a little glimpse into the real life community David Hampton wanted to be a part of and that John Guare fictionalized in his play Six Degrees of Separation (1990, 1993).
The basics
We started the course with a single study, An Experimental Study of the Small World Problem (1967), which was researched and written by Stanley Milgram. Now let's end the course with a play, Six Degrees of Separation (1990) by John Guare. You will need around six hours to work through this material.
1. Read the play Six Degrees of Separation (1990) by John Guare
Learn a little bit about the play you just read and why John Guare wrote it
2. Learn about the real Paul Poitier, David Hampton (1964-2003)
3. Learn about the actor Sidney Poitier (b. 1927) and watch some movie clips
- "Rare, Early Glimpses of Sidney Poitier" - by Amisha Padnani, New York Times (2019)
Just some clips from some classic Sidney Poitier movies
Lilies of the Field (1964)
To Sir With Love (1967)
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (1967)
4. Learn about the novel The Catcher In The Rye (1951)
5. Watch the movie version of Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
You have to click on the "Watch on Odnoklassniki" link on the video below and watch it on the host site for it to work, but it will work ... Here is a direct link to the film on the Odnoklassniki site ... If you have trouble making the video work you can always read the play this film is based on to answer the questions, which follow ...
6. Finally, watch the first 45 minutes of the documentary below, Born Rich (2003) for a little glimpse into the real life community David Hampton wanted to be a part of and that John Guare fictionalized in his play Six Degrees of Separation (1990, 1993).
Sidney Poitier didn't have a son
The basics
We started the course with a single study, An Experimental Study of the Small World Problem (1967), which was researched and written by Stanley Milgram. Now let's end the course with a play, Six Degrees of Separation (1990) by John Guare. You will need around six hours to work through this material.
6. Finally, watch the first 45 minutes of the documentary below, Born Rich (2003) for a little glimpse into the real life community David Hampton wanted to be a part of and that John Guare fictionalized in his play Six Degrees of Separation (1990, 1993).
The basics
We started the course with a single study, An Experimental Study of the Small World Problem (1967), which was researched and written by Stanley Milgram. Now let's end the course with a play, Six Degrees of Separation (1990) by John Guare. You will need around six hours to work through this material.
1. Read the play Six Degrees of Separation (1990) by John Guare
Learn a little bit about the play you just read and why John Guare wrote it
2. Learn about the real Paul Poitier, David Hampton (1964-2003)
3. Learn about the actor Sidney Poitier (b. 1927) and watch some movie clips
- "Rare, Early Glimpses of Sidney Poitier" - by Amisha Padnani, New York Times (2019)
Just some clips from some classic Sidney Poitier movies
Lilies of the Field (1964)
To Sir With Love (1967)
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (1967)
4. Learn about the novel The Catcher In The Rye (1951)
5. Watch the movie version of Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
You have to click on the "Watch on Odnoklassniki" link on the video below and watch it on the host site for it to work, but it will work ... Here is a direct link to the film on the Odnoklassniki site ... If you have trouble making the video work you can always read the play this film is based on to answer the questions, which follow ...
6. Finally, watch the first 45 minutes of the documentary below, Born Rich (2003) for a little glimpse into the real life community David Hampton wanted to be a part of and that John Guare fictionalized in his play Six Degrees of Separation (1990, 1993).
UT - Intro Sociology - Spring 2020 - WA01 - 4 points
Can a Catfish be a measurable fact?
Write up your answers as a Word document (or some equivalent) and upload to Blackboard by the deadline. It doesn't matter if you go over the suggested word count, but you must make the minimal number of words in order to get your point(s). Write in full, coherent sentences without any glaring spelling, grammatical or typographical errors. This assignment might not make sense if you were absent from class ...
01. 1 point, 10-45 words > Read the popular media version of Stanley Milgram's Experimental Study of the Small World Problem (1967) located here. Then read Judith Kleinfeld's critique of Milgram's small world study here. Now, did Jon Kleinberg address any of her concerns in his 2011 update of Milgram's study? You can access Kleinberg's update here. Be sure your answer is at least 10 words and to fully explain and defend your response by referencing Milgram's study, Kleinfeld's critique and Kleinberg's update specifically. Reference doesn't mean cite. It just means reference. And the key to answering this and every question asked on a Weekly Assignment for this course is to be specific and show that you are working through the materials assigned with each question :)
02. .05 points, 10-45 words > According to the little snippet of audio below what was the JenniCam and what feature did it share with Facebook, the cyber social networking site invented by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004. In order to get your point here you must reference the audio documentary posted below and what I specifically said in class about Facebook during Week 1.
03. .05 points, 45-90 words, Note the word count change here > According to the documentary Catfish (2010) below, how did the term "Catfish" emerge and what does it mean based on the actions of Angela, the first Catfish. I screened many scenes from this documentary during the first week of class, but you will need to scroll to the 1'05 mark and watch it to the end carefully to get this information you need to answer this question. In order to get your full point here you need to specifically reference the documentary and the video that follows.
04. .05 points, 10-45 words > How and why does the 21st century social thing called a Catfish, as defined in the documentary Catfish (2010), posted directly above, invalidate Jon Kleinberg's update of Milgram's small world study? Can't remember who Jon Kleinberg is? Scroll back up to Q01. Be sure to explain and defend your response.
05. .05 points, 10-45 words > Why does the 21st century social thing called a catfish, as defined in the documentary Catfish (2010), posted directly above, not affect Jon Kleinberg's update of Milgram's small world study? Can't remember who Jon Kleinberg is? Scroll back up to Q01. Be sure to explain and defend your response.
06. 1 point, 45-90 words, Note the word count change > The documentary Catfish (2010) is told from the perspective of Nev, (the person who was tricked). Re-tell the entire story from the perspective of Angela (the person who did the tricking). Organize your telling by referencing what you think are the three key scenes in the original documentary Catfish (2010). You don't have to write this answer up as a formal essay like you would for an English class, but for this, (as well as all your answers for any assignment you do for this course), write in good, clear, full sentences (i.e., avoid fragments), use proper punctuation and spellcheck, typo-check and grammar check everything you write. (I do take off points for that kind of stuff). Here is how to ensure you get the full two points for this answer a) try, b) answer the question asked, c) write at least 45 words (it doesn't matter if you go over), d) reference three scenes from the documentary Catfish (2010) posted above and e) avoid sentence fragments, use proper punctuation and avoid spelling, typographical and grammatical errors.
Can a Catfish be a measurable fact?
Write up your answers as a Word document (or some equivalent) and upload to Blackboard by the deadline. It doesn't matter if you go over the suggested word count, but you must make the minimal number of words in order to get your point(s). Write in full, coherent sentences without any glaring spelling, grammatical or typographical errors. This assignment might not make sense if you were absent from class ...
01. 1 point, 10-45 words > Read the popular media version of Stanley Milgram's Experimental Study of the Small World Problem (1967) located here. Then read Judith Kleinfeld's critique of Milgram's small world study here. Now, did Jon Kleinberg address any of her concerns in his 2011 update of Milgram's study? You can access Kleinberg's update here. Be sure your answer is at least 10 words and to fully explain and defend your response by referencing Milgram's study, Kleinfeld's critique and Kleinberg's update specifically. Reference doesn't mean cite. It just means reference. And the key to answering this and every question asked on a Weekly Assignment for this course is to be specific and show that you are working through the materials assigned with each question :)
02. .05 points, 10-45 words > According to the little snippet of audio below what was the JenniCam and what feature did it share with Facebook, the cyber social networking site invented by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004. In order to get your point here you must reference the audio documentary posted below and what I specifically said in class about Facebook during Week 1.
- Click here and listen to "Act 2" of a 39-minute section of an audio documentary, How We Talked Back Then (2000). A transcript of this audio documentary is here. Just scroll down and look for "Act 2," The Internet" after you click on the link. I highly, highly recommend that you listen to the clip rather than just read the transcript, but if you are pressed for time, reading is the way to go :)
03. .05 points, 45-90 words, Note the word count change here > According to the documentary Catfish (2010) below, how did the term "Catfish" emerge and what does it mean based on the actions of Angela, the first Catfish. I screened many scenes from this documentary during the first week of class, but you will need to scroll to the 1'05 mark and watch it to the end carefully to get this information you need to answer this question. In order to get your full point here you need to specifically reference the documentary and the video that follows.
04. .05 points, 10-45 words > How and why does the 21st century social thing called a Catfish, as defined in the documentary Catfish (2010), posted directly above, invalidate Jon Kleinberg's update of Milgram's small world study? Can't remember who Jon Kleinberg is? Scroll back up to Q01. Be sure to explain and defend your response.
05. .05 points, 10-45 words > Why does the 21st century social thing called a catfish, as defined in the documentary Catfish (2010), posted directly above, not affect Jon Kleinberg's update of Milgram's small world study? Can't remember who Jon Kleinberg is? Scroll back up to Q01. Be sure to explain and defend your response.
06. 1 point, 45-90 words, Note the word count change > The documentary Catfish (2010) is told from the perspective of Nev, (the person who was tricked). Re-tell the entire story from the perspective of Angela (the person who did the tricking). Organize your telling by referencing what you think are the three key scenes in the original documentary Catfish (2010). You don't have to write this answer up as a formal essay like you would for an English class, but for this, (as well as all your answers for any assignment you do for this course), write in good, clear, full sentences (i.e., avoid fragments), use proper punctuation and spellcheck, typo-check and grammar check everything you write. (I do take off points for that kind of stuff). Here is how to ensure you get the full two points for this answer a) try, b) answer the question asked, c) write at least 45 words (it doesn't matter if you go over), d) reference three scenes from the documentary Catfish (2010) posted above and e) avoid sentence fragments, use proper punctuation and avoid spelling, typographical and grammatical errors.
Introductory Sociology - Main page
Take home final exam - 200 points
Getting away with it
Answer each question using at least 45 words of good, clear academic prose. Each correct answer is worth 50 points and it is due via email by 11:59 PM on Monday, 12/16.
01. Listen to Episode 11 of Serial, Season 1, Rumors, located here or if that link doesn't work, here. (Yes, we, as a class are skipping Episodes 9 and 10). Then read Chapter 9 of you Macionis textbook, Deviance. Based on this episode alone, would you consider 17-year old Adnan Syed a social deviant? Why or why not? In order to get your full 50 points here you must reference something specific from Episode 11 and reference the specific section from Chapter 9 of your Macionis textbook where you are getting your definition of social deviance. Also, be sure to explain and defend your response.
02. Listen to Episode 12 of Serial, Season 1, What We Know, located here, or if that link doesn't work here. Who does Sarah K. think killed Hae Min Lee and which sociological theory presented by me in our three meeting sessions do you think her conclusion best captures? Be sure to explain and defend your response.
03. Listen closely to Episode 1 of Ear Hustle, "Cellies" (2016) located directly below. (Do not skip listening to this little piece of audio. It is a podcast that is recorded and produced by inmates at San Quentin State Prison). Based on what you hear, does the culture of San Quentin prison sound like the prison where Adnan is housed? In order to get your full 50 points for this question you must specifically reference the audio posted below, as well at least one episode from Serial Season 1, assigned by me for this course. You can find a complete listing of my assignments here.
04. American high schools and prisons are what sociologist Erving Goffman would call a "total institution." You can find a definition of total institution in Chapter 5 of your Macionis textbook. What is this definition and then make the argument that River City High School is a total institution based on your own sociological observations. Remember, when making a sociological observation you are not offering your opinion of your life at River City. You are offering your opinion of "other people" at River City. Be sure to explain and defend your response.
Getting away with it
Answer each question using at least 45 words of good, clear academic prose. Each correct answer is worth 50 points and it is due via email by 11:59 PM on Monday, 12/16.
01. Listen to Episode 11 of Serial, Season 1, Rumors, located here or if that link doesn't work, here. (Yes, we, as a class are skipping Episodes 9 and 10). Then read Chapter 9 of you Macionis textbook, Deviance. Based on this episode alone, would you consider 17-year old Adnan Syed a social deviant? Why or why not? In order to get your full 50 points here you must reference something specific from Episode 11 and reference the specific section from Chapter 9 of your Macionis textbook where you are getting your definition of social deviance. Also, be sure to explain and defend your response.
02. Listen to Episode 12 of Serial, Season 1, What We Know, located here, or if that link doesn't work here. Who does Sarah K. think killed Hae Min Lee and which sociological theory presented by me in our three meeting sessions do you think her conclusion best captures? Be sure to explain and defend your response.
- A Romeo and Juliet narrative
- Dramaturgical theory
- Conflict theory
03. Listen closely to Episode 1 of Ear Hustle, "Cellies" (2016) located directly below. (Do not skip listening to this little piece of audio. It is a podcast that is recorded and produced by inmates at San Quentin State Prison). Based on what you hear, does the culture of San Quentin prison sound like the prison where Adnan is housed? In order to get your full 50 points for this question you must specifically reference the audio posted below, as well at least one episode from Serial Season 1, assigned by me for this course. You can find a complete listing of my assignments here.
04. American high schools and prisons are what sociologist Erving Goffman would call a "total institution." You can find a definition of total institution in Chapter 5 of your Macionis textbook. What is this definition and then make the argument that River City High School is a total institution based on your own sociological observations. Remember, when making a sociological observation you are not offering your opinion of your life at River City. You are offering your opinion of "other people" at River City. Be sure to explain and defend your response.
Introductory Sociology - Main page
Audrey assignment 4 - 100 points
Follow up from class meeting on Wednesday, 12/11
01. 45-90 words > In class on Wednesday, 12/11, I screened some video and animated clips from The Case Against Adnan Syed (2019) to give you a better sense of who Hae Min Lee was before she disappeared and was murdered. Using between 45 and 90 words, explain how what you learned about Hae from these materials challenge what you learn about her from episodes one through six of Serial, Season 1, located directly here and here. This short answer will be worth 50 points, so make sure you write it in good, clear, academic prose. Below is a little snippet of some of the animation you saw in class.
02. 45-90 words > Listen to the next two episodes of Serial, Season 1 and use them to make the argument that Sarah K. sees the disappearance and murder of Hae Min Lee through the theoretical lens of conflict theory. If you can't remember what conflict theory is, look it up in Chapter 1 of your Macionis textbook. Also, take note that this case and defense is somewhat dated. Adnan is still fighting his arrest and conviction in the courts as you work on this. Read this. Your answer here is worth 50 points.
Follow up from class meeting on Wednesday, 12/11
01. 45-90 words > In class on Wednesday, 12/11, I screened some video and animated clips from The Case Against Adnan Syed (2019) to give you a better sense of who Hae Min Lee was before she disappeared and was murdered. Using between 45 and 90 words, explain how what you learned about Hae from these materials challenge what you learn about her from episodes one through six of Serial, Season 1, located directly here and here. This short answer will be worth 50 points, so make sure you write it in good, clear, academic prose. Below is a little snippet of some of the animation you saw in class.
02. 45-90 words > Listen to the next two episodes of Serial, Season 1 and use them to make the argument that Sarah K. sees the disappearance and murder of Hae Min Lee through the theoretical lens of conflict theory. If you can't remember what conflict theory is, look it up in Chapter 1 of your Macionis textbook. Also, take note that this case and defense is somewhat dated. Adnan is still fighting his arrest and conviction in the courts as you work on this. Read this. Your answer here is worth 50 points.
- Episode 7 - The Opposite of the Prosecution, 32 mins, Or here if the other link doesn't work
- Episode 8 - The Case Against Adnan Syed, 44 mins, Or here if the other link doesn't work
Introductory Sociology - Main page
Audrey assignment 3 - 100 points
Follow up from Class meeting 1, Monday, 12/9
All you have to do is listen to the next two episodes of Serial, Season 1 and find examples of the following two things I mentioned in class on Monday, 12/9. If you attended class, each thing you find is worth 50 points for a maximum score of 100 points. If you weren't in class on this date, each thing you find is worth 45 points for a maximum score of 90 points.
This assignment might not make sense if you haven't completed Audrey assignment 1, located here and Audrey assignment 2, located here ...
Listen to the following two audio documentaries and then answer the questions that follow
01. 10-45 words > Find one place in the above two episodes where Sarah K. attempts to conduct what sociologists call an experiment and how is conducting an experiment different than gathering ethnographic data. Be sure to explain and defend your response.
02. 10-45 words > Find one place in the above two episodes where Sarah K. uses dramaturgical theory to describe or explain a person's behavior. You can use any person here, just make sure you identify them by name (i.e., Adnan, Jay etc.) and be sure to explain and defend your response.
Follow up from Class meeting 1, Monday, 12/9
All you have to do is listen to the next two episodes of Serial, Season 1 and find examples of the following two things I mentioned in class on Monday, 12/9. If you attended class, each thing you find is worth 50 points for a maximum score of 100 points. If you weren't in class on this date, each thing you find is worth 45 points for a maximum score of 90 points.
This assignment might not make sense if you haven't completed Audrey assignment 1, located here and Audrey assignment 2, located here ...
Listen to the following two audio documentaries and then answer the questions that follow
- Episode 5 - Route Talk, 45 mins, Or here if the other link doesn't work
- Episode 6 - The Case Against Adnan Syed, 44 mins, Or here if the other link doesn't work
01. 10-45 words > Find one place in the above two episodes where Sarah K. attempts to conduct what sociologists call an experiment and how is conducting an experiment different than gathering ethnographic data. Be sure to explain and defend your response.
02. 10-45 words > Find one place in the above two episodes where Sarah K. uses dramaturgical theory to describe or explain a person's behavior. You can use any person here, just make sure you identify them by name (i.e., Adnan, Jay etc.) and be sure to explain and defend your response.
- Need a quick definition of dramaturgical theory? Look it up under "Dramaturgical Analysis, The Presentation of Self" in Chapter 6 of your Macionis textbook, Social Interaction in Everyday Life or use this: Dramaturgical theory is a sociological perspective commonly used in microsociological accounts of social interaction in everyday life. (Which is something Sarah K. is trying to do in Serial, Season 1.) The term was first adapted into sociology from the theatre by Erving Goffman, who developed most of the related terminology and ideas in his 1959 book, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Kenneth Burke, whom Goffman would later acknowledge as an influence, had earlier presented his notions of dramatism in 1945, which in turn derives from Shakespeare. (Remember, Sarah K. made reference to Shakespeare in Serial, Season 1, too). Here is how dramaturgical theory works: If we imagine ourselves as directors observing what goes on in the theatre of everyday life, we are doing what Goffman called dramaturgical analysis, the study of social interaction in terms of theatrical performance. In dramaturgical sociology it is argued that the elements of human interactions are dependent upon time, place, and audience. In other words, to Goffman, the self is a sense of who one is, a dramatic effect emerging from the immediate scene being presented. Goffman forms a theatrical metaphor in defining the method in which one human being presents itself to another based on cultural values, norms, and beliefs. Performances can have disruptions (actors are aware of such), but most are successful. The goal of this presentation of self is acceptance from the audience through carefully conducted performance. If the actor succeeds, the audience will view the actor as he or she wants to be viewed A dramaturgical action is a social action that is designed to be seen by others and to improve one's public self-image.
Introductory Sociology - Main page
Audrey assignment 2 - 100 points
What you should know about formal, scientific, academic sociology so far
Answer each one of the following ten questions below using 10-45 words of good, clear academic prose without any glaring spelling, grammatical or typographical errors. Each one of your answers will be worth ten points. Make sure you reference any of the textbook sections assigned or audio or video asked about in each question and then save as a document and email to me by the deadline. You won't be able to complete this assignment without completing Audrey assignment 1, located here. The questions assume that you have listened carefully to the first four episodes of Serial, Season 1, which I posted for your reference directly below.
If you submit this assignment on time, you can rewrite and resubmit any of the answers you lost points on for more credit. Just email me within 24 hours of receiving your grade on the assignment your rewritten answers. I will always give you comments on the answers you lost points on.
01. Serial, Season 1 is a work of audio documentary or audio journalism, however the methods Sarah Koenig used to gather the data for this documentary/piece of journalism come from formal, scientific, academic sociology. Review Chapter 2 of your Macionis textbook, Sociological Investigation, to describe Sarah K.'s "approach" and "research orientation," back-up your answer by referencing Episodes 1-4 of Serial, Season 1 and be sure to explain and defend your response.
02. Read the "What is Social Change" and then "Causes of Social Change" section of Chapter 24 of your Macionis textbook, Social Change, Traditional, Modern and Postmodern Societies, listen to the little audio clip below and then answer the question that follows.
Based on the audio clip posted directly above, which describes how young women use Instagram, how do you think Hae and Adnan's romance might have been different if smart phone and Instagram would have existed in 1999? In formulating your answer make sure you reference Serial, Season 1 specifically, as well as the audio clip about how young women use Instagram directly above and, as always, be sure to explain and defend your response.
Below is a little video clip of Hae describing her life in her own words and voice. It was recorded a few days before her disappearance and murder.
02. Review "The Origins of Sociology" section in Chapter 1 of your Macionis textbook, Sociological Investigation and then learn about the very first American sociological study ever research and published in the United States, The Philadelphia Negro (1899) below. When did this study come out relative to the "origins of sociology" and what method did its author, W.E.B. Du Bois use to gather data? Be sure to explain and defend your response.
03. In The Philadelphia Negro (1899) Du Bois suggested that America was socially stratified by race. Read the "What is stratification" section of Chapter 10 of your Macionis textbook, Stratification, if you don't know what this term means. Do you think that Adnan's mother's objection to her son, Adnan's, romance with Hae was based on race? Explain and defend your response.
04. First, review "The Social Meaning of Race and Ethnicity," "Prejudice and Stereotypes" and "Discrimination" sections of Chapter 14 of your Macionis textbook, Race and Ethnicity. Then, watch the short parody of Serial, Season 1 below. What do you think his parody is suggesting about the arrest, conviction and incarceration of Adnan Syed? Be sure to explain and defend your response.
05. Who does Jay Wilds say killed Hae Min Lee, do you agree with him and why or why not?
06. Say the only thing you knew about life in Baltimore in the late 1990s were the things that happened in Leakin Park. What kind of city would this be like to grow up in? You can get some ideas on how to formulate your answer here from Episode 3 of Season 1 of Serial and the "Urbanism as a Way of Life" section of Chapter 22 of your Macionis textbook, Population, Urbanization and Environment.
07. There are two young men, other than Adnan, who get questioned by the police after Hae's disappearance - Don K., (Hae's boyfriend at the time of her disappearance) and Jay Wilds, (a "casual" but not a "close" friend of Adnan's). Which of these two men get most in trouble with the law and why.
08. Read the "U.S. Families: Class, Race and Gender" section of Chapter 18 of your Macionis textbook, Families and then name and describe what you think was the most major social difference between Adnan's family and Hae's family. Be sure to explain and defend your response.
09. What "social problem" do you think the first four episodes of Serial, Season 1 were about - racism, ethnocentrism, violence against young women or Islamophobia? Be sure to explain and defend your response.
10. Two structural institutions are featured heavily in Serial, Season 1 - the American high school and the American criminal justice system. Read "Current Issues in U.S. Education" section in Chapter 20 of your Macionis textbook, Education and "The U.S. Criminal Justice System" in Chapter 9, Deviance. Now, make the argument that these two different institutions serve the same "function" in late 20th century American society. Be sure to explain and defend your response.
What you should know about formal, scientific, academic sociology so far
Answer each one of the following ten questions below using 10-45 words of good, clear academic prose without any glaring spelling, grammatical or typographical errors. Each one of your answers will be worth ten points. Make sure you reference any of the textbook sections assigned or audio or video asked about in each question and then save as a document and email to me by the deadline. You won't be able to complete this assignment without completing Audrey assignment 1, located here. The questions assume that you have listened carefully to the first four episodes of Serial, Season 1, which I posted for your reference directly below.
- Episode 1 - The Alibi, 55 mins, Or here if the other link doesn't work
- Episode 2 - The Break-Up, 37 mins, Or here if the other link doesn't work
- Episode 3 - Leakin Park, 28 mins, Or here if the other link doesn't work
- Episode 4 - Inconsistencies, 34 mins, Or here if the other link doesn't work
If you submit this assignment on time, you can rewrite and resubmit any of the answers you lost points on for more credit. Just email me within 24 hours of receiving your grade on the assignment your rewritten answers. I will always give you comments on the answers you lost points on.
01. Serial, Season 1 is a work of audio documentary or audio journalism, however the methods Sarah Koenig used to gather the data for this documentary/piece of journalism come from formal, scientific, academic sociology. Review Chapter 2 of your Macionis textbook, Sociological Investigation, to describe Sarah K.'s "approach" and "research orientation," back-up your answer by referencing Episodes 1-4 of Serial, Season 1 and be sure to explain and defend your response.
02. Read the "What is Social Change" and then "Causes of Social Change" section of Chapter 24 of your Macionis textbook, Social Change, Traditional, Modern and Postmodern Societies, listen to the little audio clip below and then answer the question that follows.
- "Finding the Self in Selfie" (2015), 10 minutes, A transcript is here
- When you click on the link, it will take you to some audio
- Click on it and listen for the first 15 minutes
- You only need the first 15 minutes
- Don't listen to the whole thing
- You don't have time :)
Based on the audio clip posted directly above, which describes how young women use Instagram, how do you think Hae and Adnan's romance might have been different if smart phone and Instagram would have existed in 1999? In formulating your answer make sure you reference Serial, Season 1 specifically, as well as the audio clip about how young women use Instagram directly above and, as always, be sure to explain and defend your response.
Below is a little video clip of Hae describing her life in her own words and voice. It was recorded a few days before her disappearance and murder.
02. Review "The Origins of Sociology" section in Chapter 1 of your Macionis textbook, Sociological Investigation and then learn about the very first American sociological study ever research and published in the United States, The Philadelphia Negro (1899) below. When did this study come out relative to the "origins of sociology" and what method did its author, W.E.B. Du Bois use to gather data? Be sure to explain and defend your response.
03. In The Philadelphia Negro (1899) Du Bois suggested that America was socially stratified by race. Read the "What is stratification" section of Chapter 10 of your Macionis textbook, Stratification, if you don't know what this term means. Do you think that Adnan's mother's objection to her son, Adnan's, romance with Hae was based on race? Explain and defend your response.
04. First, review "The Social Meaning of Race and Ethnicity," "Prejudice and Stereotypes" and "Discrimination" sections of Chapter 14 of your Macionis textbook, Race and Ethnicity. Then, watch the short parody of Serial, Season 1 below. What do you think his parody is suggesting about the arrest, conviction and incarceration of Adnan Syed? Be sure to explain and defend your response.
05. Who does Jay Wilds say killed Hae Min Lee, do you agree with him and why or why not?
06. Say the only thing you knew about life in Baltimore in the late 1990s were the things that happened in Leakin Park. What kind of city would this be like to grow up in? You can get some ideas on how to formulate your answer here from Episode 3 of Season 1 of Serial and the "Urbanism as a Way of Life" section of Chapter 22 of your Macionis textbook, Population, Urbanization and Environment.
07. There are two young men, other than Adnan, who get questioned by the police after Hae's disappearance - Don K., (Hae's boyfriend at the time of her disappearance) and Jay Wilds, (a "casual" but not a "close" friend of Adnan's). Which of these two men get most in trouble with the law and why.
08. Read the "U.S. Families: Class, Race and Gender" section of Chapter 18 of your Macionis textbook, Families and then name and describe what you think was the most major social difference between Adnan's family and Hae's family. Be sure to explain and defend your response.
09. What "social problem" do you think the first four episodes of Serial, Season 1 were about - racism, ethnocentrism, violence against young women or Islamophobia? Be sure to explain and defend your response.
10. Two structural institutions are featured heavily in Serial, Season 1 - the American high school and the American criminal justice system. Read "Current Issues in U.S. Education" section in Chapter 20 of your Macionis textbook, Education and "The U.S. Criminal Justice System" in Chapter 9, Deviance. Now, make the argument that these two different institutions serve the same "function" in late 20th century American society. Be sure to explain and defend your response.
Introductory Sociology - Main page
For each of the following four episodes of Serial, Season 1 (2014) posted below write a 45-90 word reaction, save as a PDF file and email to me at draudreysprenger@gmail.com by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, 12/4. You will get 25 points for each one you write.
Write about anything. The content. The narrator. The methods of investigation. Anything you want, as long as it is substantive, relevant, written in good, clear prose and includes the exact details of the time and place you listened to the story. The purpose of this assignment is for you to
To play the four audio files below, simply click on the link below and click on the audio player embedded on that page or use the alternative link, which will take you to YouTube. If you have any technical difficulties making it work, contact me via email.
Can't wait to see what happens next? Look ahead to Audrey assignment 2 ...
For each of the following four episodes of Serial, Season 1 (2014) posted below write a 45-90 word reaction, save as a PDF file and email to me at draudreysprenger@gmail.com by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, 12/4. You will get 25 points for each one you write.
Write about anything. The content. The narrator. The methods of investigation. Anything you want, as long as it is substantive, relevant, written in good, clear prose and includes the exact details of the time and place you listened to the story. The purpose of this assignment is for you to
- 1. Practice the two most basic rules of sociological thought, (regardless of the method you follow or theory you use) - 1) Never talk about yourself and 2) Always talk about more than one person
- 2. Review the topics of the chapters you have covered in your Macionis textbook so far - Culture, Society, Socialization, Social Interaction in Everyday Life. Groups and Organizations and Sexuality and Society
- 3. Prepare you for Audrey assignment 2, located here, which will guide you through a review of everything you should have picked up by now from this course
To play the four audio files below, simply click on the link below and click on the audio player embedded on that page or use the alternative link, which will take you to YouTube. If you have any technical difficulties making it work, contact me via email.
- Episode 1 - The Alibi, 55 mins, Or here if the other link doesn't work
- Episode 2 - The Break-Up, 37 mins, Or here if the other link doesn't work
- Episode 3 - Leakin Park, 28 mins, Or here if the other link doesn't work
- Episode 4 - Inconsistencies, 34 mins, Or here if the other link doesn't work
Can't wait to see what happens next? Look ahead to Audrey assignment 2 ...
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