Changing the World

Two service opportunities that often get overlooked are politics and protests. We often forget about the importance of local races. Our state government determines how much college costs, how much financial aid students can get, where and what roads and tollways get built etc...Furthermore, it is easy to overlook mundane tasks like stuffing envelopes, or calling people to remind them to vote. But these little things make a big difference. The spring 2008 issue of The American Sociological Review includes an article called "Can Power From Below Change the World?" by Frances Fox Piven, author of Challenging Authority: How Ordinary People Change America (Polemics). Her article basically said that we are all tied to each other and so our connection to those around us can be a source a power that creates social movements that can alter the course of America. It is in a sense seeing a sense of power in a sociologically mindful way. This reminds me that for a service project, students can go to a protest. They just need to document it with pictures. Have you ever been to a protest? What would you be willing to protest for? What you be willing to be arrested for?

Community Service Opportunity: Onward House

Ms. Fainman and GIVE are taking buses to the Onward House in Chicago to tutor students after school. A little about Onward house:

Onward House's long history dates back to the mid-nineteenth century. Over the years, Onward House has adapted and evolved with every unique generation that has called West Town their home. Yet, our mission to provide critical education, childcare and family support services to those in need has not.

The service experience meets every other thursday.
You can signup through GIVE.

Besides these days, there are other opportunities to volunteer there on your own.

Blogging Info

Hey Soc class!

Just a reminder to blog before class time on the last day of the week. That means blog before class starts tomorrow. Also remember that your blog should:
1. Explain the sociology behind what we've been doing in class. So, demonstrate that you understand what the sociology is and why we are studying it.
2. Second, be sure to relate the post to something from your own life - it might be something that happened to you, something you read or watched, or something you found online. It could be anything, but I want it to be unique so that we can learn from your example.
3. Keep your writing academic. Please use proper prose, avoid misspellings and avoid abbreviations. And, post by the beginning of the last class each week.
4.Lastly, comment on two other students' blogs. Please comment on their ideas and give them a short but sweet comment about their ideas. Don't be cliche or too general, but it doesn't have to be long either. Just show them (and me) that you are reading their blog and maybe you learned something from them.

Not sure what to write about? Scroll down below this post and look for the recent posts that relate to what we have been doing in class.