INDEX CARDS
1) Write your full name on it
2) E-mail address
3) Major
4) Current job and/or career goal
5) Something you want me know about you:
interests, how to pronounce your name, nickname, learning need,
something you are going through, anything I should know
6) Try to add any info that will help me remember your name
7) Small picture taped to the other side
Turn into green folder – 4 points
“If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other
person's point of view and see things from his angle as well as your
own.”
– Henry Ford (Founder of Ford Motor Company)
TODAY
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Grades in this class
Review sociological imagination
Review 3 major theories
Culture Preview
Be a sociologist
Upcoming assignments
Extra Credit
Extra credit assignments range between 1-4 points each
Opportunities will be posted on the website
5 points maximum possible
*additional points can be earned in class
Can raise a B+ to an A but not a B- to an A
Don’t rely on the extra credit
UPCOMING EXTRA CREDIT OPTION
Student Health Center Workshops –
2 points extra credit possible
September 13th: Anger Management 11 AM
September 18th: Understanding Depression 11 AM
September 26th: Positive Psychology: The Science of
Feeling Good 12 Noon
September 28th: Managing Anxiety 3 PM
UPCOMING EXTRA CREDIT OPTION
Attend one workshops listed and type one page explaining:
1. Summary of info
2. Use your sociological imagination: What aspects of society
could be making this issue a social problem?
3. How can this issue be addressed on a larger scale? Are there
changes that could possibly occur in our society to make this
less of a social problem?
Due: 1 week before Finals, or as completed
Health Center
Grading
Grading
2 Papers
Class Participation
3 tests
8 Assignments
Final Test (not cumulative)
Total Points Possible-150
Students who succeed in this class
Attend class
and focus
Check syllabus and
website regularly
Pay attention and
participate
Do the
reading
Study for tests and
use the paper
scoring guides
The time to focus on your grade is now
Don’t be this guy at the end of the semester
But I really
needed an A
to transfer to
CSUDH/UCLA
/USC…etc.
But I really need to
pass to stay eligible
for basketball/
football/ track…etc.
Can’t I turn in some
extra credit?
I had a lot going on
in my life.
I didn’t
know I
wasn’t
passing.
GRADED WORK
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Will be passed back in green folders
Last names A-L or M-Z
Keep all graded work
Keep track of your grade
SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION/ SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Ability to see the many ways
society influences our
thoughts and actions
HOW
DO SOCIOLOGISTS THINK?
Any behavior
Individual Perspective
Sociological Perspective
Focus on someone’s
personal characteristics
or experiences
Focus on influences
bigger than one person
(location, culture, peers,
family, government,
religion, media…)
USE YOUR
SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION
With 1-2 partners choose one of the situations below and explain the behavior
from and individual perspective and a sociological perspective
James in an alcoholic man
2.
Jennifer spends too much of her
money on makeup
3.
Joey dropped out of high school
Sociological Perspective
Individual Perspective
1.
Focus on someone’s
personal characteristics
or experiences
5 minutes
Focus on influences
bigger than one person
(location, culture,
peers, family,
government, religion,
media…)
Which is the best predictor of your chances of
success in school?
A) your gender
 B) social class/economic status of your parents
 C) your race/ethnicity
 D) your work ethic/level of responsibility
 E) the difficulty level of your major

Chances of success in school based on parents’
socioeconomic status
Jack and Jill are of equal intelligence, work ethic, grades in high school, preparation
Jack
Parents earn $200,000/year
combined
Goes to school full time
Internship at local business 5
hours a week
Car
iphone
Own bedroom
Laptop, internet, printer
Jill
Parents earn $30,000/year
combined
Goes to school full time
Works at restaurant 20 hours a
week
Bus
Payphone
Shares room with 3 siblings
library
3 ways of looking at society
Review 3 Major Theories
Functionalist
Jobs people perform
and how society
functions. How is
something helpful or
hurtful in society?
Conflict Theorist
Inequality and looks
for groups that might
be taking advantage
of other groups.
Haves vs Have Nots
Symbolic Interactionist
Influence of social
groups, labels, and
meanings of symbols
Read the statements and write down who would say each.
Functionalist
1. Media images
become social
problems when
groups use these
images to exert power
over others and serve
their own interests.
EX: news programs in
certain countries are
only allowed to show
positive reports about
their political leaders
3 mins
Conflict Theorist
Symbolic Interactionist
2. If people do not know
their duties or are unable
to perform duties due to
media images, then social
problems occur. EX: a
mother who feels she
should use her time and
money to maintain her
beauty may neglect her
responsibilities to her
children.
3. Social definitions can
change over time and
the media has the
power to influence
definitions EX:
repeated images of
Latina women as
uneducated
housekeepers cause
stereotyping.
What would they say?
Focus on one theory. What might the theory say or ask about the
topic of teenage pregnancy?
Functionalist
Remember, this
theory is concerned
with jobs people
perform and how
society functions.
How does it help or
hurt society?
Conflict Theorist
Remember, this
theory is concerned
with inequality and
looks for groups that
might be taking
advantage of other
groups.
Symbolic Interactionist
Remember, this
theory is concerned
with the influence of
social groups, labels,
and meanings of
symbols.
GROUP ACTIVITY EXPECTATIONS
1. Introduce yourself when working with new students
2. Every group member must contribute
3. Allow others to complete their thoughts
4. Ask others for input
5. Be respectful
6. Focus and put in your best effort
-Not a time to check cell phones
-Not a time for restroom breaks
7. Stop when you hear buzzer and face front
8. Listen when other groups share
Computer
Team 1
Cortez Tamara
Baines Gregory
Moore Brittani
Moreno Jesus
Chavez Mark
Team 2
Sullivan Grace
Sterling Shanena
Jimenez Jennifer
Garcia Edwin
Hernandez Joanna
Team 3
Manalo Lawrenz
Pena Rosa
Garcia Christian
Martinez Daniel
Guerrero Sergio
Door
Screen
Team 4
Duplessis-Fleming
Erin
Inocencio Jessica
Arrogante Denise
Alston Theodore
Meredith Amanda
Team 7
Vela-Cervantes
Yunuen
Gomez Marcos
Donis Jacqueline
Zalenski Peter
Kondo Jamie
Team 10
Arakaki Justin
Rodriguez David
Zapata Zaldy
Sanchez Miguel
Team 5
Melgoza Enrique
Cortez Jonathan
Rodela Callie
Islas Fabiola
Boggs Kwyn
Team 8
Duenas Dagoberto
Herrera Jennifer
Terrazas Nolberto
Martinez Ruendy
Velasco Conrad
Team 11
Cudjoe Justin
Garcia Hugo
Wright Brittany
Wakamatsu
Tomoe
Team 6
Norrell Kierra
Sisson Derek
Cortez Jacqueline
Sanchez Irene
Duke Jovon
Team 9
Montes Brandon
Vo Y
Selmon Kimberly
Ortega Jose
Work in a group. Focus on one theory. What might the theory say
or ask about the topic of teenage pregnancy?
Functionalist
Remember, this
theory is concerned
with jobs people
perform and how
society functions.
How does it help or
hurt society?
Conflict Theorist
Remember, this
theory is concerned
with inequality and
looks for groups that
might be taking
advantage of other
groups.
Symbolic Interactionist
Remember, this
theory is concerned
with the influence of
social groups, labels,
and meanings of
symbols.
How is American culture viewed by others?
View International Student Experience
Colombia University International Business Students
View Part 2
Be a sociologist
•Sociologists study human behavior
•Use your observations of student and teacher behaviors in college
•Determine behaviors that help and hurt the classroom
environment and student learning
Underline the top 3 in every category
ASSIGNMENTS
Due Thursday: Read article on website Cultural Relativism
Due next Tuesday:
Read Ch 2: p 33-44.
A#3: Bring in a cultural artifact (any item that has meaning to
you, not just ethnic culture)
*Cannot be a picture
Race/ethnicity/nationality
Language
Gender
Socio-economic status
Age
Sports
Religion
Political ideology
Interests/hobbies
Experiences
Review
Structural Functionalist
Remember, this theory is
concerned with jobs
people perform and how
society functions as well
as what the functional or
dysfunctional aspects of
the topic are.
Conflict Theorist
Remember, this
theory is concerned
with inequality and
looks for groups that
might be taking
advantage of other
groups
Symbolic Interactionist
Remember, this
theory is concerned
with the influence of
social groups, labels,
and meanings of
symbols
COMPARING THE THEORIES
Question
Structural
Functionalism
Conflict Theory
Symbolic
Interactionism
What is the
relationship
between
individuals
and society?
Individuals have
certain social
roles/jobs in society
Individuals are
either the
“haves” or the
“have-nots” in
society
Individuals help
define society just
as society helps
define individuals
What are
major
criticisms of
the theory?
Conservative view
Very focused on Very subjective
that often overlooks
inequality and
inequality or injustice ignores stability
in society