Videos/film to help explain this science called sociology………
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vWaKlvMB9k f**k language
Examining the Social World: How Do We Know?
YouTube: Tough Guise: Violence, Media & the Crisis in Masculinity
This is the introduction to the documentary by Jackson Katz that explores the connection
between masculinity and violence in the media.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3exzMPT4nGI
1. How does Jackson Katz show that men's behaviors are socially constructed and
socially learned?
2. How does the Media, a key social institution, shape how we perceive men in
American society?
3. One of Katz's central arguments is that our society creates violence so that it is a
normative expectation rather than an act of deviance or a social abnormality. How
would a sociologist test this claim? Would methods of testing vary between
applied and academic sociologists?
YouTube: The Corporation - Legal Person - 2 of 14
This segment from the documentary The Corporation details how corporations are legal
persons and shows the impact this can have on society.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkygXc9IM5U
1. This clip suggests we can examine the corporation as an individual in order to
understand it. Explain how this differs from the Social World model.
2. How would you examine the issue of global capitalism using the Social World
model?
3. Several different individuals are highlighted in this clip. Which ones, in your
opinion, are applied researchers and which are academic researchers? Explain.
What are the job titles of all of these individuals? What does this suggest for the
employment possibilities for sociologists
YouTube: 1950 Family Date, Dinner in a 1950's Home
This video features a 1950’s family sitting together around the family table. This video
can be used to analyze the “traditional” family from four different theoretical
perspectives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8kJzBJrOkU
1. What would a functionalist theorist say about the actions of the family within this
video?
2. What would a conflict theorist say about the actions of the family within this
video?
3. What would a symbolic interactionist theorist say about the actions of the family
within this video?
4. What would a rational choice theorist say about the actions of the family within
this video?
Society and Culture: Hardware and Software of Our Social World
YouTube: 1967 Hippie temptation TV documentary
This mini-documentary examines the Hippie movement from the 1960s and 1970s. It
clearly displays the rift that exists between the Hippie culture and mainstream culture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zHmi9y-KLo
1. The Hippies are constantly framed as a counterculture. Would you agree with this
assessment? Why or why not? Your text defines countercultures as groups with
expectations and values that are in sharp contrast with mainstream society. Do
you believe the Hippies exhibit differences from the mainstream culture in 1967?
Describe the differences, if any.
2. What material and non-material elements define the Hippies?
3. Which theoretical explanation best explains the behaviors of the Hippies, in your
opinion? Why?
Socialization
YouTube: Food or Security? Harlow's study on monkeys' attachment
In this video clip, Harlow’s monkey socialization experiment using wire and cloth
“mothers” is shown.
1. What do you think this experiment can tell us about human socialization?
2. How do you think these monkeys define “social interaction”?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2M6XBJEEFQ
YouTube: Music, Culture, and Early Childhood Development
Roger Brown, President of Berklee College of Music discusses the importance of music
as a form of communication throughout history for families, groups and civilizations, and
ties this to the ways in which music is central to the social and mental development of
very young children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOM8Z2UQKR4
1. What role does music play in the intellectual, social, and cultural development of
young children?
2. Could music be considered a type of “symbol”, according to George Herbert
Mead’s theory?
3. After watching this interview, do you think music could be considered an “agent
of socialization”? Why or why not?
Groups and Organizations
YouTube: Minority, Single Parent Families, and Poverty
This clip discusses the concept of “the feminization of poverty” which was discussed
briefly in the chapter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPyUqArVaA0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaYqNOYHmZ4
1. According to this clip, why are women and disproportionately affected by
poverty?
2. Also, why are so many children living in poverty today? How is this related to
the feminization of poverty?
3. This clip states that people today are less likely to marry, more likely to marry
later in life, and more likely divorce. Given what we learned about primary
groups and social interactions, why do you think this might be?
Deviance and Social Control
YouTube: Milgram's Obedience to Authority Experiment
This BBC TV show reenacts the famous Milgram Experiment, which measured the
willingness of people to obey an authority figure, even if the commands they receive
were contrary to their personal conscience. Watch all three videos before you answer the
questions.
Part I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcvSNg0HZwk
Part II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzTuz0mNlwU
Part III: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmFCoo-cU3Y
1. Some "teachers" were willing to continue administering painful shocks to the
"learner" after the authority figure encouraged them to continue. What does this
suggest about the nature of authority?
2. The "teachers" were not held against their will, and capable of leaving the
experiment at any time. Why were some unwilling to simply leave?
YouTube: Lizard Man
This is the story of Texas man Eric Sprague who has tattooed, pierced, and surgically
altered his body to make himself appear more lizard-like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5LOmBToEU
1. Do you consider Eric's appearance deviant? Why or why not?
2. Do you think Eric would consider your appearance deviant? Why or why not?
YouTube: Women's Bodybuilding Finals
This one minute clip is of a “final pose down” among female bodybuilders.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXCeODa1TMU
1. Do you think that taking on characteristics (such as musculature) of another
gender is considered to be deviant? Why or why not?
2. How might you use differential association theory to describe these women’s
“deviant behavior”?
YouTube: Countdown: War Crimes Prosecutions Possible
This clip from MSNBC’s “Countdown” discusses the possibility that U.S. government
and military officials may be tried for war crimes committed under the Bush
Administration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3PvIFx-WDE
1. War crimes were not discussed in this chapter. After watching this clip (and
perhaps doing a little internet research), how do you think they are similar to and
different from hate crimes, predatory crimes, organized crimes, etc.?
2. The textbook did discuss “state organized crime”. Do you think that war crimes
are included in “state organized crime”? Why or why not? Do you think that
government and military officials should be prosecuted for committing state
organized crimes or war crimes?
3. After watching this clip (and perhaps doing some more research), do you think
war crimes are socially justifiable? What are some possible pros and cons to
states committing such acts?
Race and ethnicity
YouTube: Savage Country: American Indian Mascots, Parts One
This documentary explores the use of Native American mascots and the impact that it has
on race relations and Native American identity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVDyldTV9OA&feature=related and Two
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDe_qx50rzw&feature=related
1. Is it right for a school or college to use a potentially offensive mascot? Who
should determine whether or not ethnic symbols should be used?
2. Did you attend a school with a Native American mascot or share a conference
with a school that has a Native American mascot? Was this a social issue for the
school or the community? Why do you think this was?
3. Is there a way that a school or community could use a Native American mascot in
a neutral or a positive way?
Stratification/class issues
YouTube: Videos on the Gap between Rich and Poor
This first video from Forbes.com is a tour of the most expensive home in the world –
priced at $140 million USD. The estate is in England, and is intended to be a singlefamily home. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2sJG2XfRWI
This second video is a report on conditions in Sierra Leone, considered to one of the
poorest countries in the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be2k3vMFwF4
1. What aspects of Marx’s concepts of Power, Prestige, and Property were evident in
each of these clips?
2. What are the chances for social mobility (both downward and upward) for each of
the people in these videos?
3. How would you expect the living conditions in each of these videos to affect the
individual lifestyles, attitudes, religious and political behaviors of people living in
these regions? For example, who would be more likely to be liberal or
conservative?
YouTube: The World Bank (WB) & The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
This video explains the role of the WB and the IMF in maintaining global stratification.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xgxCf05Kmw
1. How does stratification between nations vary from stratification within the United
States?
2. How does global poverty differ from domestic poverty?
3. How does this video see the WB and the IMF in relations to global stratification?
Would it be possible to reform their role in the global economy? Why or why not?
YouTube: The Manifestoon
This clip uses classic cartoon images to illustrate class struggle to the background of the
Communist Manifesto.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbTIJ9_bLP4
1. This cartoon is a dramatization of the Communist Manifesto, written by Karl
Marx. How do the images shown convey the messages of Marx work?
2. What is the relationship between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie in modern
capitalist society?
3. Marx was writing more than 100 years ago, do you feel that the relationship
between power and capitalism has strengthened or weakened during that time?
Gender Stratification: She/He—Who Goes First?
You Tube: Middle Sexes Experiment on Homosexuality
In this video, an experiment that asked homophobic and non-homophobic men to watch
gay pornography and report their arousal is detailed. Please note: This video includes
mature themes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEuDDvqYbVw
1. According to this experiment, how is homophobia related to homosexuality?
2. What alternative explanations might exist for why the homophobic men were
physically aroused by the homoerotic videos?
You Tube: Rammstein “Sonne Complete”
In this music video, German heavy metal group Rammstein present an alternative version
of the Snow White story---one in which the princess has enslaved the dwarfs and forced
them to mine golden drugs for her. This might be particular useful to watch following the
discussion of the other fairy tale video clips.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_iBb6lIgY0
1. Compare this version of Snow White to the Disney story. How do the two
versions of femininity differ? How are they similar?
2. In fairy tales, women are often either saintly virgins or evil demons. Why do you
think that these children’s stories present such a dichotomy of young girls?
You Tube: Mermaid (“Kiss the Girl”); Beauty and the Beast Theme Song; Aladdin
(Disney) - A Whole New World
In these clips, scenes from Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Aladdin are presented. Each
details a romantic scene between the prince and princess.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6pEcANUYso
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2CVLWOoNsY
1. What messages do these videos send children about heterosexuality?
2. What do children learn about gender roles from watching these videos?
3. What types of anticipatory socialization do children experience by watching these
videos?
You Tube: Sherri Shepherd: Clearly Defined Gender Roles or Else
In this video, the women of The View argue whether cross-dressing is normal and
acceptable among children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmSmOldgCgQ
1. What socialization messages would these women, as parents, be sending to their
children?
2. Would you allow your daughter to wear “boys’” clothes? Why or why not?
3. Would you allow your son to wear “girls’” clothes? Why or why not?
YouTube: Killing Us Softly – Parts 1-4
This video is a must-watch for all women and men. Jean Kilbourne's pioneering work
helped develop and popularize the study of gender representation in advertising. Her
award-winning “Killing us Softly” films have influenced millions of college and high
school students across two generations and on an international scale. In this important
new film, Kilbourne reviews if and how the image of women in advertising has changed
over the last 20 years. By fostering creative and productive dialogue, she invites viewers
to look at familiar images in a new way that moves and empowers them to take action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svpMan9cWyo (parts 2, 3, and 4 available through
links on the right side of the page)
1. What subtle messages about sex, gender, gender identity and roles, and sexuality
were evident in these images?
2. What was your response to seeing these images discussed in this way? Was it
new to you? Had you noticed different messages being sent to men and women
as you flipped through magazines before? Will you look at images in the media
in a different way after watching this video?
YouTube: The Weiner Circle
This Chicago Public Media video chronicles a hot dog stand where employees began
insulting patrons. Then, the patrons began insulting them back. Now, the insults have
become sexist and racist. Please note: This clip contains R-rated language
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo1LPf9mnyU&eurl=http://freedarko.blogspot.com/
1. How do sex, race, and class intersect in the types of insults hurled by the patrons
to the employees?
2. How would conflict theorists explain the fact that the employees are not, for the
most part, using similarly racist and sexist insults?
3. How might patriarchy be contributing to the types of insults used by the patrons?
YouTube: Tough Guise: Violence, Media & the Crisis in Masculinity
This is the introduction to the documentary by Jackson Katz that explores the connection
between masculinity and violence in the media.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3exzMPT4nGI
1. How does Jackson Katz show that men’s behaviors are socially constructed and
socially learned?
2. How does a key social institution, the Media, shape how we perceive men in
American society?
3. One of Katz’s central arguments is that our society creates violence so that it is a
normative expectation rather than an act of defiance, or a social abnormality. How
would a sociologist test this claim? Would it vary between applied and academic
sociologists?
Family: Partner Taking, People Making, and Contract Breaking
YouTube: Polygamy Family Interviews
These videos are interviews with families who are in polygamous marriages. As you
watch, keep in mind the many variations on what defines “family”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOTtgkbZBbg – Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbZvunujf5Q&NR=1 – Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXITABB0zZg&feature=related – Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OEaRn3uHsc&feature=related – Part 4
1. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s definition of family (given in the text),
would polygamous families be counted as a “family”? Would sociologists
consider polygamists a “family”?
2. The text lists seven reasons why all societies have families. Do the polygamous
families in these videos fulfill these purposes?
3. Do you think there will be a time when society becomes accepting of polygamy?
Why or why not? Do you think this would represent a threat to the structure and
function of society, or provide a way to ensure more children and adults are
socially, emotionally, and financially supported?
You Tube: Arranged Marriages
This news report includes interviews with those who live within arranged marriages.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUvrCaesLDs
1. Why do you think those who have arranged marriages divorce so frequently? Is
this a good thing of a bad thing?
2. Would you ever consider letting your parents choose your dates? Your spouse?
Why or why not?
3. The video claims that “no expectations mean no disappointments” in terms of
partner characteristics. Do you think these individuals really enter relationships
with no expectations?
YouTube: A Vision of Students Today
This video portrays how some students feel about their college experience as documented
by one instructor and this class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o&feature=related
1. Do you believe that this accurately portrays your educational experience? How so
and how not?
2. At the end of the video, it suggests that technology is revolutionizing education.
What impact do you see technology having on your education? Is this
advantageous and/or limiting, in your opinion?
3. Can many of the problems the video discusses be solved by technology? If so
which ones? How so or why not?
4. If you were to create a university, what would it look like? What problems would
you be certain to address? What problems do you anticipate would surface?
YouTube: Ritual of Religious Worship
This video introduces the ritual of religious worship, step by step (specifically, temple
worship in Taiwan), to let the audience understand some of the dos and don'ts, and to
show how the many gods are worshipped in various ways.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zklLVB_X3CI
1. What does this video tells you about the social construction of religion?
2. What examples did you see of myths, rituals, and symbols?
3. Discuss how each of the three components of religion (meaning system,
belonging system, and structural system) are supported through the rituals shown
in this video.
YouTube: Teachers of the Year: "Change NCLB"
This clip shows an assembly of Teachers of the Year from numerous states in the U.S.
together to address the impact of the No Child Left Behind policy on American schools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqTJvpfv6J4
1. The teachers of more than half of the states in the United States assembled to
speak against the renewal of No Child Left Behind. What problems do they have
with the policy? Do you agree or disagree that these are problems that need to be
addressed? Why so or why not?
2. Accountability seems to be a major concern in NCLB. Is there a way we could
address the issues these teachers seem concerned with while also ensuring that
accountability standards be maintained? At what level of analysis should policy
makers most strongly focus on accountability?
YouTube: Kozol: Segregated Schools are the Shame of the Nation
In this clip, author Jonathan Kozol discusses his newest book, The Shame of a Nation,
which explores the return of racial segregation in compulsory schooling in the U.S.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VS9XHbEaFY&NR=1
1. How does segregation impact the educational and cultural climate of schools?
How does this have an impact in meso- and macro-social factors?
2. We tend to be comfortable acknowledging that our schools are segregated on the
basis of social class; however we are less likely to acknowledge that our schools
are still segregated by race. Why do you believe this is?
3. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that racial segregation in education is
unconstitutional. Given this, should the federal government have to address these
issues that Kozol uncovers in his research? Why or why not?
4. What structural factors have caused resegregation of schools, according to Kozol?
5. Kozol is a noted applied sociologist and journalist. Do you feel that with issues as
culturally important as segregation more scholars should do applied work? Why
or why not?
Politics
YouTube: The Civil Rights Movement In Photos
These videos are clip montages of the Civil Rights and the Women's Rights Movements
in the United States.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6kMgUzNxKM&feature=related and Feminist
Movement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkPNH2j8EOM&feature=related
1. Compare the images of the Civil Rights Movement with the most recent Women's
Movement. How are these images similar? How are they different?
2. Considering that both movements focus around issues of equality, did it appear
that they used similar tactics to appeal to publics? How so or how not?
3. What type of movement would you classify each of these movements as? Why?
4. The text details how social movements have various stages that they go though as
they develop. Are you able to view these stages developing through these images?
Health
YouTube: Maggot Medicine
In this National Geographic video, maggot therapy in the U.S., in which live maggots are
placed within wounds, is detailed (Warning: Graphic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xt6NWkgydM
1. Do you consider this a form of alternative medicine? Why or why not?
2. How might global health care be impacted by this cheap, yet effective therapy?
YouTube: Request: Russian Conception Day
This news story describes the pronatalist policies that the Russian government is using to
try to curb population decline.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1jGWunQ5F4
1. Which policies do you think are most effective- pronatalist or antinatalist?
2. Would you be willing to consider having (more) children, even if you were not
ready, for money or prizes?
YouTube: Sing-A-Long
This humorous sing-a-long produced by the Sean Kimerling Testicular Cancer
Foundation is about doing self-exams for testicular cancer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_nK1CEo5ho
1. What audience do you think this song is trying to target?
2. Given that men are less likely to go to the doctor than are women, do you think
this is an effective strategy for encouraging men to see a physician? Do you think
a more "professional" message would work better? Why or why not?
YouTube: Intolerable Beauty - Portraits of American Mass Consumption
This video displays the work of Chris Jordan, an American artist, who uses enhanced
photography to make pictorial images of consumer waste in America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dYip4hHZWM
1. Consumption in modern capitalist societies is one focus of the environmental
movement. Were you aware of the volume of goods Americans are consuming?
Does this constitute a social problem?
2. Do you believe that movement effort to get Americans to consume less will be
successful? Why or why not? Do you believe they are necessary? Why or why
not?
3. Some scholars argue that consumption should be viewed as a choice and even a
human right. Therefore, as large nations like India and China develop and gain
economic resources, do you think they should be able to consume at the same
volume as the United States? How do we allow this without harming society?
YouTube: Rethinking Food Crisis Solutions
This clip from Al Jazeera shows the problems with food security in the less developed
nations and the relationship between globalization and food security.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmcEC7N9L_M&feature=related
1. What role does technology play in addressing social problems related to food
security?
2. What problems, beyond hunger, does food shortage contribute to in the global
society?
3. In your opinion, should issues of food shortage take president over all other social
movements? Why or why not?
YouTube: EPA Behind in Toxic Research
This video from 2008 discusses a government report which found that the Environmental
Protection Agency faced massive delays in its research of toxic chemicals, which could
leave many in the U.S. at risk. After watching this video, visit the EPA’s website:
www.epa.gov, and do some research to see if things have changed under the Obama
administration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-bdbH9dB9Y
1. Which theory do you think would best explain one branch of the government (in
this case the White House) preventing another governmental organization (the
EPA) from doing its job? Why do you think this was done?
2. What affect might leaving toxic chemicals undetected have on the population
dynamics of a society? What effects might we see at all levels of society if
companies were banned from using toxic chemicals of any kind?
Change
YouTube: History Link WTO Cam: Seattle 1999
This time-stop video shows the emergence of collective protest in Seattle during the 1999
WTO meetings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIpjs6V_9J8&feature=related
1. This shot follows the 1999 World Trade Organization protests from the time
where people start to gather to the point of police occupation of the area. Does
this represent collective behavior or a social movement in your opinion? Explain.
2. Watching this video, are there points where the structure of the population creates
social action? Can people just coming together create action? Or must there be
intent behind it? Explain your position.
3. Do you see any stress or strain through the images of the protest that may lead to
the eventual riot and resistance movements? What observations can you make
about population and demography and the collective behavior?