secondary sources continued

HW:  Reminder to read Gang Leader for a Day for Wed

Often, sociological research shows up in secondary sources.  These sources explain the findings of the research without detailing the research methods and background.  Some examples of secondary sources include:

• Textbooks; for our class; Real World Sociology by Ferris and Stein. The text might seem to just be musings/opinions about society but there are 30 pages of references at the end of the book.  Here is one page showing the references for the text.
• News articles;  One example is the article, The Myth of the Two-Parent Household, from Harvard professor Christina Cross in the NY Times (2019) also available here.   What research is this article based on?  Is it qualitative or quantitative?  
• Contexts magazine; A publication by the American Sociological Association that explains the latest research in an accessible way for students and general public to understand.  Here is the Contexts website, especially in the In Brief section   You can access Contexts by issue through the ILC page using the search by title page here.

• The Society Pages:  Website of sociology resources, especially Discoveries page.

• Journal of Contemporary Sociology, a journal of reviews.  You can access Contemporary Sociology through the ILC page using the search by title page here.

Using JSTOR

JSTOR is an online storage site for journals.  JSTOR is very helpful for research.  You can search for individual journals or groups of journals.  The downside to JSTOR is that there is a "moving wall" which only allows access to journals a few years old.  For the most recent journal articles, you have to access the journal directly (using the links above for Contexts or Contemporary Sociology) or you can read the latest articles in print at your university library.  


Applying your secondary source understanding

Do your own search in the NY Times for sociology by clicking here for a Google search of "sociology" in the NYT.  Choose an article that looks interesting to you.  What was it about? Skim the article to find the sociology research in it.  Can you identify who did the research and where it was published? 

Search JSTOR for secondary sociology sources in Contemporary Sociology and Contexts.  Choose topics that are interesting to you.  What research did you find?  Was the research qualitative or quantitative?

Abandon Ship! Day 1: Simulation

For today's lesson, we are doing a simulation that is based on real events.  Please open this link and follow the instructions.

Once you have finished with the link above, continue reading below.

We just did an activity based on the real-life events that were portrayed in the movie Abandon Ship! (1957).

First, students chose a role.

Then, I told them that just like in real life, a storm was threatening the boat so they must choose 7 people to place a life preserver around and send them into the ocean.

After the group makes their decisions, I tell them the real story of what happened which was based on the movie Abandon Ship, also known as Seven Waves Away.  Here is the full movie on youtube.

In the real-life incident, all of those aboard turned to the highest-ranking person (ship’s officer) to take command.  He had a sidearm on him.  When the sea got too rough, he called everyone’s attention and he chose who would go/stay.  He kept only the strong, able-bodied who were strong enough to survive a long row.  On the last day, they were rescued and the captain was put on trial for murder.  He was declared guilty, but received a minimum sentence of only 6 months in prison because of the unique circumstances.

Assessment Day!

Today we will gather evidence of your mastery of the course.  Don't worry, it's not a test!

IF YOU ARE ABSENT TODAY - You have 1 week to make up the assessment in the Assessment Center.

REMINDERS:

• Do not look around the room. (No Shifty eyes)
• Please write on test - put your name on it.
• REMEMBER: You are more than your assessment score. :-)

WHEN FINISHED:

• Turn in Unit 1 notes packet
• Take a self assessment.
• Take a new reading packet and student note packet for unit 2.
• If you have time, complete the self assessment.

There is a longer reading due called Gang Leader for a Day.  Please read it for next week.