Your Sociological Imagination

The "sociological imagination" is an important theme throughout our semester. The idea of the sociological imagination was developed by C. Wright Mills who said that having a sociological imagination helps one to see the connection between history and biography. That is, who we are (our biography) is determined by where and when we live (history).

The Outliers reading provides an example of how the people of Roseto were affected by where and when they live. Because they lived in the town of Roseto at that time, they lived in a way that affected them (without even knowing it) so that they had a much lower chance of getting heart disease and living longer than the rest of the country.

Think about your plans for the weekend or what you brought for lunch.  How is it affected by where and when you live?  What are the influences shaping your plans and what you eat?  Do you see how it is not simply your choice?

Another way to examine the connection of biography to history is through the Beloit Mindset list. Every year, Beloit College publishes a list of how the current year's freshmen will experience and have experienced the world differently. A couple examples of this are from the NY Times: Here is an article about students not writing in cursive. And, this link is about the changing role of the wristwatch.  Both show that being born in a different time means students will experience the world differently.  This might sound obvious, but there is a tendency for people to think that they are simply who they are regardless of time or place.  Something you can write about is how kids being born today might experience the world differently than you have.  Or, how might kids being born in 2013 be influenced differently than you have?  And yet another way to think about this is, how might you have been different if you grew up somewhere else?  Especially for those of you who have moved, try to imagine what your life would be if you still lived somewhere else.

Another example of the sociological imagination might be reflected in how different generations think differently about the world. You might remember this pepsi ad that shows the way different generations might think about the world differently.

Information Sheet, Textbook download info, Blog info, Annotating

Please take out your packet and open up to the second to last page called "Info Sheet"

Info Sheet: Second, we filled out an information sheet that is for me to get to know you. If you haven't filled it out, please print it here and fill it out.

Textbook Download:  Sociology 2016-17

Book: The Real World 5th Edition

The SMARTdesk team has already registered a code for your eTextbook.

On your iPad, in the blue and white envelope email App, in your SHS gmail account:

Look for an email from:

“Your W.W. Norton Digital Production Registration”

In that email you will see:

“To access your digital content, you can visit:

https://digital.wwnorton.com/realworld5

and sign in to your account.”

Tap the link.

It will take you to the web via your Safari App.

On that webpage, tap on the “green bar” that has the words:

Sign In, Register a Code, or Purchase Access

In the next window you will see:

Have you already registered for this product?

Select:

Yes, I want to sign in

Enter:

Your SHS email address

Your Password is the 8 numbers you use to login to Infinite Campus and your SHS gmail

WITH Shs in front of them.  Example  Shs12345678

Now Select: Sign In

You are now successfully logged into your W. W. Norton Digital Resources account.

You will see your copy of The Real World, An Introduction to Sociology, 5th Edition

It is suggested you make this a “webclip” on your iPad for easy access.

If you are having any problems, please visit the SMARTdesk.

The SMA
RTdesk is open on regular school days from 7:30 AM - 4 PM.

On late arrival days: 10 AM - 4 PM

Blogging Info: First, we checked the blog. Be sure that your blog has a link to my page and that your blog is listed on my page on the right side under "Ways of Learning."  Be sure that you posted your first post.

Annotating: Lastly, we discussed annotating for this class. Anytime students are assigned readings in this class, they should assume that they must annotate. Annotating is a skill to help you remember what the reading was about and understand what the author's point is. You do not have to highlight the whole page and fill the margins with notes. Concise, informative notes that help you remember what the reading was about or that help you relate it to class are all you need. Another way to think about annotating is that you are having a conversation with the author and the annotations are your comments. Here is a guide for annotating.

Blogging Day 2 in sociology

Here is some reminders about blogging:

Here are some reminders about blogging:
Remember, do NOT use your last name or our school's name.
Please use proper grammar and punctuation.
After each post you do, you must comment on other students' posts.
Please write mindfully because what you post to the internet can last even after you delete it.
Make your posts unique and authentic. Feel free to add pictures and links.

By the end of today, try to accomplish these tasks:
Write your first post.  For the first post, simply try to answer this question: Who are you? Write a blog entry that defines who you are. Explain to the class what makes up the person you are. What are the biggest influences in your life? What are your goals/purposes in life?

After that, check to see if you have a link to my page from your page.

Then, go to my page and see if I have your blog listed (on the right side).

Then, comment on 2 other students' posts. Comments should be short(1 to 2 sentences) but sweet (meaningful; leave feedback)


Grading the blogs:

After this first post each subsequent post will be assessed in these three areas:

Academic Standards
The assignment should be neat, well organized, and on-time. It should contain proper writing including proper prose and correct spelling.

Sociology Content
The student should demonstrate an understanding of sociological ideas and themes. Student should use sociological terms correctly. Each blog needs to incorporate specific content from the class using readings, class discussions, videos, activities and the posts on my blog page. It is necessary to convey your understanding of course content as it relates to sociology and your life.

Application
Student is able to fully apply the sociological ideas to his/her own experiences (a real life experience, something s/he watched or read, another class s/he had). Student gives an authentic example of the sociology. The example may include how s/he has been influenced as well as life experiences s/he has had. The post should demonstrate how you may feel differently now having learned a new perspective.

Using your blog throughout the semester:

One post is due by the beginning of the last class period of the week.   Usually, this will be Friday.  So if you are in period 2, then the post is due by the start of period 2 on friday.

Here is how you will be graded on your posts:

Sociology  (Artisan – students can craft authentic posts that richly explain the class content in a unique way): Students will be able to explain the concept of sociological imagination through different supporting content.  Students will demonstrate that individuals are shaped by their social life.  (Excellent includes application to student’s life and demonstration of sociological mindfulness.

10 Student is able to fully explain the sociological content and apply it to a unique example.

9  Student fully explains the sociological content using relevant terminology from the class.

7 Student somewhat explains the content from class but does not do it in detail and/or uses little or no sociology concepts or terms

5 Student completed the assignment but did not explain any sociology at all.

Standard:  Literacy (Scholar – Students can read and understand a wide variety of sources and make meaning from them):  Objective: Student demonstrates an understanding of the sources used in class (books, movies, websites, etc…) and connecting them to sociological concepts/themes.

Target (the scale):

10 Student refers properly to multiple sources from class and/or explains the connection of an outside source found by the student.

9 Student refers properly to a source from class and explains its connection to sociology in the student’s own words.

7 Student refers to a source from class but it lacks depth, clarity or correctness.

5  Student completed the assignment but was not correct in interpreting the sources from class.

                                    Success criteria:

                                    Reference to evidence from the source(refers properly)

                                    Students’ own words (explains)

                                    Author’s message/thesis

Academic Expectations (Citizen- Student recognizes the importance of being a part of the community of class; being present and on-time, listening, sharing, respecting, trusting other student, participating in class and writing properly.)

10 Student contributes to the class through commenting, listening and reading.  Student uses proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and clear and academic writing.  Student meets deadlines and is on time.  Student’s work is neat and professional.

9 Student is able to meet almost all of the expectations above.

7 Student meets some of the expectations.

5 Student turns in the assignment or shows up, but does not meet any of the expectations above

Creating your blog

Today you will be creating your own blog page to use as an ongoing e-journal throughout the duration of this course.  You will be expected to use the next couple of days to develop your blog using creative yet appropriate images, design, fonts, colors, etc. to make it your own.  You need to follow the steps as well as the restrictions that are listed below.

NOTE:  Do not use last names on the blog and do not use specific identifiers such as your address or the name of our school.  Instead, you can consider using your first and middle names or other nicknames and for the school, simply say a suburban high school or something like that.

STEP 1: Please go to https://www.blogger.com/start and follow the steps to create your blog.  Begin by clicking on “Create a blog.”  If it asks to text you a verification code, you can do that without fear of google spamming you.  Don’t feel pressured for a good title – this is changeable.  As you fill out the info,  PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOU WRITE DOWN THE FOLLOWING INFO:

PASSWORD: ______________________________

BLOG ADDRESS/URL:  http://www.                                                     .blogspot.com/

Lastly, enter your info into the form titled Blog Info Form by going to this link, or fill it in below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vMnIlrZvR2Wb64B_p-SlubBW7JnPYyP2Tohr8oYfUrQ/viewform 

HERE IS AN EMBEDED FORM THAT YOU CAN FILL OUT:
NOTE:

Do not link this blog to your google + account

Do not use the name “Stevenson” or your last name

STEP 2: Once you have created a blog and are logged into your blog page (which should be at the blog address in Step 1) you can add gadgets or different apps to your page.  The first gadget that you must create is a link list that will have a link to my blog.  Here’s how to do that:

• Click Design(At the top) or "layout"(on the side)  
• Then--(on the side bar) click "add gadget"; scroll down and click add link list
• The first title is simply the title you want for this list of links.  You can call it “link list” for simple or even leave it blank.
• In the “new site url” box, write: http://sociologysal.blogspot.com
• In the “new site name” box, write: Sal’s Page or Ways of Thinking

After you have the link to my page, you can add any other links you use often by clicking “add a link.”  Then you can add friends blogs, the school blog, facebook, instagram, email account, whatever might be useful.

STEP 4:  Personalize your blog by adding pictures/change fonts/layouts/templates or other gadgets to make this blog personal and conducive to you!  There’s lots of gadgets – feel free to explore them. 

STEP 5: First post:

To post on your blog, make sure you are logged in and then simply click “new post”.

• Here is your first prompt:  Who are you?  Write a blog entry that defines who you are.  Explain to the class what makes up the person you are.  What are the biggest influences in your life?  What are your goals/purposes in life?  

Precautions:

• Please remember that this blog should be treated as seriously as you would treat a test or an essay or a project for class.

• You should also refrain from using your full last name anywhere on the blog.

• You will be responsible for monitoring what people have posted on your blog. 

This is not your facebook account, you need to be aware that this site is public, therefore DO NOT use your Full Name on the page, DO NOT use information that a “creeper” could use to identify you.   DO keep your posts, pictures, and songs appropriate.

Textbook, Bell, Remind

First, as you enter please try to access your digital textbook:

Our textbook for the class is the digital version of Norton's Real World Sociology.

 Sociology 2016-17

Book: The Real World 5th Edition

The SMARTdesk team has already registered a code for your eTextbook.

On your iPad, in the blue and white envelope email App, in your SHS gmail account:

Look for an email from:

“Your W.W. Norton Digital Production Registration”

In that email you will see:

“To access your digital content, you can visit:

https://digital.wwnorton.com/realworld5

and sign in to your account.”

Tap the link.

It will take you to the web via your Safari App.

On that webpage, tap on the “green bar” that has the words:

Sign In, Register a Code, or Purchase Access

In the next window you will see:

Have you already registered for this product?

Select:

Yes, I want to sign in

Enter:

Your SHS email address

Your OLD Password is the 8 numbers you formally used to login to Infinite Campus and your SHS gmail

WITH Shs in front of them.  Example  Shs12345678

Now Select: Sign In

You are now successfully logged into your W. W. Norton Digital Resources account.

You will see your copy of The Real World, An Introduction to Sociology, 5th Edition

It is suggested you make this a “webclip” on your iPad for easy access.

If you are having any problems, please visit the SMARTdesk.

The SMARTdesk is open on regular school days from 7:30 AM - 4 PM.

On late arrival days: 10 AM - 4 PM

Second,
Each day I like to do a brief meditation with a bell.
--------------------------BELL-------------------------

Third,
If you would like to subscribe to my Remind account, please do so:

Service Opportunity: This Saturday! Special Olympics

We are currently seeking volunteers to assist as Timers at our Finish Line. You will be outside for the majority of the day, so please keep this in mind that you will need to dress warm! Here is the information below:

Location: Lambs Farm- 14245 W Rockland Rd, Libertyville

Time: volunteers to arrive at 8:00 a.m. for training.

Schedule: first races will begin at 8:30 a.m. with our last scheduled Relays to start around 12:15/12:30 p.m.

Lunch is provided.

If you are only able to make it for the beginning portion for a few hours that will definitely help as well. Our staff appreciate your time and thank you for the continued support. You can reach out directly to me via email or by phone if you have any questions or are available to volunteer. Thank you!

Brenden Cannon | Area 13 Director | Special Olympics Illinois

103 Schelter Rd, Ste 25 | Lincolnshire, IL 60069 | P: 224-377-8378|