by | Dec 5, 2021 | Social Sciences : Sociology
Once you have completed the reading, please respond to the following questions:
1. In a couple of different places in the reading, Krieger mentions that one of the core assumptions of science (and the creation of theory) is that there is a commonly shared biophysical world. This refers to the idea that there is a real, physical world outside of us and that we all participate in it together. This is in contrast to the idea that there is no “real” world outside of us and everything we experience is just a figment of our imaginations. Krieger notes that while it is commonly accepted that there is a shared reality we all participate in together, “this assumption does not presume this referent reality is commonly perceived or understood by all individuals” (23). In other words, just because we all participate in a shared reality does not mean that we all perceive it the same. She gives three examples: color-blindness, interpretations of what it means when the sun sets, and how people define race. Please come up with another specific example of how people may interpret reality in different ways.
2. Krieger also states that “scientific observation is not a passive phenomenon: what we ‘see’ and apprehend depends on the ideas we have about [what] we expect—and do not expect—to ‘see’ (24). This is a very important point and helps to explain why a lot of scientific research and theory creation perpetuates racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression. Please explain what this means in your own words and come up with a specific example of how this could perpetuate racism, sexism, or another form of oppression in scientific research.
3. On page 31, Krieger writes about the “mandate of epidemiology,” noting it is not one that is necessarily shared with other social sciences (like sociology). This mandate suggests that the purpose of epidemiology “is to create knowledge relevant to improving population health and preventing unnecessary suffering, including eliminating health inequities.” Please reflect on this statement and explain how it applies to sociological research. There isn’t a correct answer to this question. I am just asking you to explain how you understand the purpose of sociological research or, rather, what you think the purpose ought to be.
4. Based on what you learned from this reading, please explain what the role of theory is in scientific research.
by | Dec 3, 2021 | Social Sciences : Sociology
The paper will be graded on four criteria: engagement, citation, quality of writing and proofreading, and punctuality. For a more detailed explanation of these categories, please refer to the grading rubrics section in the Start Here Module.
In the paper you will exercise your sociological imagination to take a look at some of the sociological forces that are at work in shaping your unfolding biography and how they might affect the outcomes you will experience in your life. C. Wright Mills defined the sociological imagination as “the vivid awareness of the relationship between personal experience and the wider society”. Having a vivid sociological imagination means understanding that much of our life experience and biographical arc is shaped by sociological forces beyond our control. The time and place of our birth, our birth date JANUARY 20,1989 and birth year, age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, the type of family we are born into, social class, birth order, generation and generation size, cultural inheritances, family inheritances, and the timing of our life with much larger historical events and processes all help shape our experience in life, and whether we succeed or fail. While none of these factors alone will determine your destiny, they will interact with the personal choices you make in your life to create your unique life experience. Like a strong current in a river they will influence the ultimate direction your life takes you have the freedom to swim in any direction, but the tides of history are more powerful than any single individual. Understanding these forces is what sociology is all about.
In the paper you will discuss how your life has been shaped by these powerful outside forces. For example, what are the advantages and disadvantages of being born in your particular birth year? How has your particular generation been shaped by forces outside of your control? Are there any advantages to being an immigrant to the United States? What are the disadvantages? How has your life been shaped by being an African-American in early 21st century America? What are the advantages of being eighteen in today’s world? What are the disadvantages? What kind of family do you come from- are there any family inheritances? (the values, norms and beliefs we inherit from our family). Are you from a military family, an immigrant family, a musical family, a law enforcement family, an alcoholic family? What are the advantages of living in the United States in the early 21st century? What are the disadvantages? You can choose from the list above or you can come up with some variables of your own. Remember that sociology sees our experiences as more than personal. Whatever your experience, you share it with thousands or perhaps millions of other people.
You may need to do some research to complete the assignment. Find out what generation you are and read about its characteristics. Research your birth year. Was it a large birth year or a small birth year? Include your sources on the works cited page. You can focus the paper on one characteristic (i.e. race or gender), but you can also write about several categories. Make sure you clearly. outline what you intend to write about in the introduction to the paper. Try to have fun with the assignment. Building your sociological imagination will help you achieve your life’s goals. Like a swimmer who swims with the current, it can lead you to more effective choices, and make you a more aware and compassionate member of society. After all, it’s your life.
