Transcript Family - 2015 Intro to Sociology

Today
•Education
•Religion
•Spirituality
To what degree is religion a part of your life?
1. Religion is a huge part of my life. My religious views guide my day to
day actions.
2. Religion is part of my life. I pray/mediate/attend religious services
often.
3. I believe in my religion but don’t practice it that much.
4. I believe in God/a higher power but no particular religion.
5. I am spiritual not religious.
6. I do not believe in God or have a religion.
7. Prefer not to state.
Namaste=
“The highest
in me salutes
the highest in
you”
Functionalist View
Role of education is to
• Instruct-Train for occupations, knowledge
• Socialize
– respect, responsibility, obedience
• Sort society into groups/statues
(graduate, honors, student, college-bound)
• Promote change
Conflict Theory
• Education forces an agenda
• Rewards conformity
• Creativity not
allowed to flourish
Hidden curriculum:
teaching obedience
and not to question
authority
Conflict Theory
Work with 1-3 partners. How
many similarities can you think
of between how children are
treated in schools and how
inmates are treated in prison?
Conflict View
Conflict Theory
Conflict View
Education produces and reproduces inequality in society
-resources
-racial segregation
View: Trading
Schools,
Inequality in
education
Conflict Theory
• Education and socio-economic status cycle
• 75% of students at top universities come from
families in the top 25% of income
Bronx NY (low-income, high % minority)
$8,000 per child annual spent on
education
Bronxville NY (middle-income, low %
minority)
$12,000 per child annual spent on
education
Long Island suburb (high income,
low % minority)
$18,000 per child annual spent on
education
Conflict view: allocation of funds
• Gov. funding for schools does not always reach students
• Facilities often funded
• Corporations influence policy makers
South Region HS #9 South Gate CA
$213,996,616
200 million on construction
Conflict view: allocation of funds
Symbolic Interactionst View
Interaction during schooling influences success
• Student get labeled
• GATE, Honors, Special Needs, behavioral problems
• Self-fulfilling prophecy (living up to the label)
Symbolic Interactionst View
• Tracking: separating students by ability
• Ex: Reading groups
Symbolic Interactionst View
Tracking pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Focused instruction
Often based only on a few
tests
Challenges for advanced
students
Repetition for struggling
students
Students get stuck
Limit opportunites
What is religion?
 A system of beliefs and practices that unites
believers into a moral community
Religion in today’s world
1 minute quick write: Think of religion as a structural
functionalist.
How is religion functional in society? How does it help?
Functions of religion in today’s world
Religion can be functional:
1. Place for emotional support
2. Safe place to be after school
Functions of religion in today’s world
Religion can be functional:
3. Support for couples having marriage difficulty
4. Support for those with depression
Function of religion in today’s world
Religion can be functional:
5. Promotes community service
Function of religion in today’s world
Religion can be functional:
6. Interfaith dialogue
Dysfunctions: Groups that misuse religion
Matt Hale
World
Church of
The
Creator
Malala
Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai
http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=evjPT5M9cU
Ruby Bridges New Orleans, Louisiana 1960, 6 years old, first AfricanAmerican child to attend an all-white elementary school in the South
Sociological Theories of Religion
Emile Durkheim
• Religion is functional for society
• Holds societies together
• 15 years studying indigenous people of Australia
Sociological Theories of Religion
Emile Durkheim
Studied religions around the world
India, East Asia
Found no society without religion
3 Basic Elements:
1.
Beliefs some things are sacred
1912
2.
Practices centering on sacred things, supernatural
3.
A moral community resulting from a group’s beliefs,
practices, and rituals
Sociological Theories of Religion
Max Weber
• Religious beliefs lead to action or inaction
• Shape a person's image of the world
Sociological Theories of Religion
Max Weber
• People need to know why?
• Why undeserved good fortune?
• Why suffering in the world?
• Religion offers answers - afterlife
Sociological Theories of Religion
Max Weber
• Spirit of Capitalism
• Protestant beliefs helped capitalism grow
1934
Sociological Theories of Religion
Karl Marx
• Religion is used to oppress people
• “Religion is the sigh of oppressed people, the sentiment of a
heartless world…the opiate of the masses.”
• Oppressed workers find escape
in religion
• Diverts attention towards the
afterlife
1848
Sociological Theories of Religion
Karl Marx
Religion is used to legitimize inequality
• Divine rights of kings
• Pharaoh as God
• Manifest Destiny
To what degree is religion a part of your life?
1. Religion is a huge part of my life. My religious views guide my day to
day actions.
2. Religion is part of my life. I pray/mediate/attend religious services
often.
3. I believe in my religion but don’t practice it that much.
4. I believe in God/a higher power but no particular religion.
5. I am spiritual not religious.
6. I do not believe in God or have a religion.
7. Prefer not to state.
Answer the questions while watching I Am.
Before next class
Extra Credit Power Points: save to flash drive, e-mail me a copy ahead
of time. 4 points possible. Read directions on website.
Work on Research Paper
Extra Credit Videos related to religion
Axis of Evil Comedy Tour
The Calling
God In America
National Geographic: Inside Mecca
Understanding Religion
What is Religion?
 A system of beliefs and practices related to sacred things that
unites believers into a moral community.
Christianity
Islam
Prevailing religions world wide
Extra Credit 4 point option
Important Sociologists
• 5 minute Power Point Presentation
• Select a sociologist. Describe the following: brief background of
their life,
2 major contributions to sociology, how is their work relevant
today?
• Choose the sociologist in class today by signing up