Post for Oct 1

I found myself thinking sociologically when my french teacher was explaining a few french customs to our class. She told us how the French enjoy to people watch at cafes and take their time when they ate and that they also do not shower every day. Immediately after each little fact she told us there were a number of students who obnoxiously made comments regarding the French's way of life. I thought this event was also similar to the one in sociology class and we were talking about Japanese culture.

Following the several remarks about the "weird," "creepy," and "gross" French people, I knew they were ethnocentric remarks. During 3rd period today (30 Sept 10), Dr. Murphy was interviewed and he said that we should walk a mile in each other's shoes before judging them. I think this suggestion or words of advice would apply to most any ethnocentric remark. Due to the fact that we grew up in America, we know how to behave in our culture because it's our way of life. We did not grow up in France or Japan and are therefore not entitled to disssss their culture.

I am not, however, saying we should dis our own culture either!

17 Sept 10 Post, Functionalist Theory

I found myself thinking sociologically during German class. The German teacher, Frau Knecht, is always so energetic and full of life, just completely ready for class. She smiles, jokes around with the students and gets excited while teaching any sort of concept. Knecht always seems like she enjoys coming to class every day and tries to lift people up if they seem down. One might also describe her as a big ball of sunshine!

My class, however, is a bunch of very distracted freshmen, all whom happen to have lunch the very next hour. The class is not always ready to participate with as much enthusiasm as Frau Knecht would like, therefore making class learning not as successful as possible. Like the functionalist theory, everyone in that class has a role: as a student, participate; as a teacher, teach. In order for our class to progress as much as the teacher would like us to, we all have to participate, because it's our role. The class only works when everyone is participating because every role is crucial for the greater good of the entire class, which is an awesome, active learning experience.

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Herbert Spencer

I found myself thinking sociologically when I was sitting in my American History class and the teacher asked something along the lines of, "do you think there needs to be people who suffer in order for the world to be a better place for others?" Herbert Spencer automatically clicked in my head. With his theory in mind, I was interested in hearing what my classmates had to say. All their replies were the same: "I don't think anyone has to suffer." It was the answer I expected. Especially since we were all listening to each other's answers when being called on. I'm not sure that the whole "being watched" concept tripped up any of their answers. It actually seemed to me that they weren't sure of what to say and that they just said what they believed would be most acceptable by our peers. Before that day (Friday Sept 03) I don't think they were ever asked such a question, therefore had not put much thought into such a topic.

My inference was sparked when I volunteered to share my opinion. With all eyes on me I told the class what I thought. I agree with Spencer to some extent. I told them I thought suffering for some individuals was absolutely necessary because that's the way the system works. By not saying much else I was able to study their reactions a bit further. Some scoffed and others stayed quiet, but in the end they all seemed to contemplate my answer for a few moments. I've always thought what I shared with my class that day, but now I have a theory behind it, thanks to Herbert Spencer.