Emerging Issues in Society

Issues from Chapter 10...

Inequalities are so strong and persistent in American society that sociologist are not convinced by speculation in the popular press that the landslide election of President Barack Obama, the fist African American U.S. president, will lead to the virtual disappearance of prejudice and racism . Racism has merged with sexism, violence, and greed; hence, racism cant be eliminated if others are not as well. We need to stop dwelling on the past racial relations and actually act like we are all equal instead of saying it, with little truth behind it. I wish we could just study it in the history books and learn not to repeat....if life were that simple!

Issues from Chapter 13...

Religion can have a very positive impact on family values, and it can just as easily have a negative impact on family values. The basic fact is that every religion has it very good and round points and it has its share of flaws, regardless of which religion you encounter. Religion can teach discipline, honor, a sense of pride, a sense of right and wrong, and introduce children to a very strong and honoring commitment like no other. Extremism has been prove to lead to behaviors of hate and intolerance. Any religion throughout history can be proven to have had extremists which brought about an act of intolerance and hate. This, of course, is not really the point of religion. Religion is supposed to act as a guide for behavior, to extend honor and caring to the fellow human race and to ground us in a sense of chronic and undeniable love. When religion is used as a weapon of hate, there can be no good in that. 

Chapter 10: Race and Ethnicity

The United States is a society based on the values of freedom and equality, however we are still deeply afflicted by racial conflict. Race and ethnicity have fundamental importance in human social interactions and are an integral part of social institutions. It is clear that interracial tension  isn't always obvious, but it still exist. This chapter is very interesting because it defines ethnicity, race, dominant group, minority group, and other terms  in a way that is different from everyday usage. Racial stereotypes and their affects are evaluated, as well as current prejudices and discrimination that still takes place. The first step in eradicating inequality of all kind is by understanding it's origins and realizing it's prevalence; only then can we find solutions.

Video

Quote
"The idea of "race" represents one of the most dangerous myths of our time." Ashley Montagu


Internet Sites
-This website considers some of the sociological facets of race and ethnicity, and how they are interwoven with other dimensions of social stratification. American minority groups are discussed as well as stereotypes and other issues.
http://www.trinity.edu/mKearl/race.html


-One Nation, Indivisible: Is it History? Is an in-depth article that examines many topics regarding race and ethnicity in America. It begins with a brief history, then dives in to topics such as "hypenated Americans," and "Ethnic Segregation."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/meltingpot/melt0222.htm


Scholarly Journal
-Problem of the Century: Racial Stratification in the United States is a comprehensive look at race in America and it's subsequent economic, political, and social issues. The article gives us great information of the origins of race in the US and clear definitions for common misconceptions.
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=aYI4GDA3HDYC&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=sociology+of+race&ots=YovPjtctwu&sig=jUFOOWbqlIf1f8FF-RYdEzgT78U#v=onepage&q=sociology%20of%20race&f=false

Chapter 13: Families & Religion

I chose this chapter because the family is a very important social institution that a majority of people in our society belong to. "The family is a social institution that emerges, changes, and persists over time." Our family dynamics play a key role in how we are socialized in society. We learn gender roles, behaviors, morals, and religious practices from the members in our family. Our personalities, likes and dislikes, attitudes, and world views often reflect those of our parents, siblings, and other people who are in the family circle. The family dynamics we see also reflect the religious views and practices. Yes, families all over the world despite their culture share some qualities, but the religion of a particular family is often the number one influence in the family's functionality.

Quote:
"Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of spiritless conditions. It is the opiate of the masses." Karl Marx 


Internet Sites


-Karl Marx's Conventional Sociology of Religion. Explicates Marx's views on religion in order to facilitate the use of a Marxist perspective in the discipline.
http://www.angelfire.com/or/sociologyshop/msor.html

-Describes the family as the most important social institution. Author, Robert Young, also evaluates the family as a social group and system.
http://ryoung001.homestead.com/Family.html

Video

Scholarly Journal 

-A survey of Emile Durkheim's functionalist theory and the family. 

http://www.jstor.org/pss/349776

Why Sociology?

My name is Maurice, and I recently graduated from the University of Idaho with a B.S in Organizational Science and minor in Communications. 

We all live in a society, and it is very important to that we understand and study it's dynamics from every aspect.

In the United States, we have a vast array of..

• Cultures
• Families
• Nationalities
• Lifestyles
• Genders
• Social Classes
• Economic Classes
• etc..

It is important that I study sociology so I can be an active and understanding member of society.

"It is not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but their social existence that determines their consciousness." Karl Marx