Sociological Self Study
Getting to Know Your “Self”
Due 12/17/2014-Even
12/18/2014 - Odd
Description
Sociologists examine the development of “self” by looking at the impact various groups or institutions have had on our individual development. A social institution is defined as “a cluster of social structures that collectively meet one or more of the basic needs of a society.” These social institutions consist of PREFER - Politics, Religion, Economics, Family, Education, and Recreation or sport. In this project, you will examine the impact of FOUR of these social institutions on your development.
You will also complete a “free association” activity. This activity will allow you to respond to random thought provokers and explore your attitudes about human social behavior, in particular your own.
In another section, you will select music and songs that hold special meaning to you. A brief analysis of each of your selections will explain why they are important to you and what the represent about your “self.”
This is not a research paper! Instead, it incorporates the use of pictures, reflections, interviews, musical lyrics, etc. to reach conclusions about who you are. In other words, this project should include information that is very relevant to your unique life experiences. This self exploration will require some time, thought, and reflection, but it will greatly enhance your general knowledge of human development and of your “self.” The more you put into this project, the more you will get out of it. If you wait till the last minute, this will not be a rewarding project and your grade will show that!
Due 12/17-18 (-5 points for each day late). Must be turned in to me on the due date even if you are absent from class or school. Please turn it in to me personally, not to my mailbox or any other individual.
Format – Refer to the rubric to make sure you have left nothing out!
1. Cover of Project – Name, motto, colorful things that reflect the four social institutions
2. Table of Contents – items must be presented in the order specified in this format section.
3. Social Institutions Analysis
All of the information within each Social Institution should be presented in the same order:
-Social Institution Cover Page – definition (see text), the importance of this institution in your life, and pictures or symbols that represent that institution
-4 Photographs and analysis
-Interview – be sure to provide a brief background of who the person is and why you chose to interview them. You must answer all of the required questions, but you may include additional questions of your own.
-Reflection Questions/Items
4. Free Association Activity
5. Musical analysis
6. Conclusion – Include how much time you spent on the project, challenges, rewards, personal insights and generalizations, most important things that have contributed to your development, etc. It should be at least ¾ to 1 page long.
7. Include your grading rubric in the finished project
Other info:
· All parts must be typed, make it as neat, organized, and creative as possible
· Must be stapled together or otherwise neatly bound
Ideas – Scrap book, photo album, 3-ring binder, have Staples spiral bind it for you
Social Institutions Analysis
The following is the information that needs to be included for each of the FOUR social institutions you choose to analyze and apply to your life. Pick FOUR institutions that are the most meaningful to your life, ones that you feel have had the most impact on you, and present them in that order in your project.
Politics
· Social Institution Cover Page – definition of the social institution, an analysis of why this social institution is so important to you, pictures or symbols that represent this institution
· Include at least 4 personal photographs (no clip art or pictures of random people or activities off internet) that represent the significance of politics in your life. Pick one photo and briefly describe what it represents and why it is important to you.
· Interview a person involved in politics (representative, city official, labor union leader, etc.). Avoid short responses. Use your interviewing skills to get more information from the individual! Please provide contact information (name, phone # and/or email) for the person you interview. Failure to provide this will result in point deductions.
You must ask the following questions, but you can ask additional ones of your choice. Please type out the questions along with the individual’s responses.
1. How long have you been involved in politics and in what capacity?
2. Why did you get involved in politics?
3. Would you encourage others to pursue a career in politics?
4. Do you believe that the average person really has a say in our system? Does every vote count?
5. What are some of the biggest challenges you personally face in your job?
6. What political issue do you feel strongly about? What is your position on that issue?
7. What characteristics do you believe a good political leader should have?
8. Do you feel you had to compromise any of your beliefs or attitudes in order to get elected into office?
· Reflection Questions/Items
Please type out the questions along with your responses.
1. What are two political issues you feel strongly about and why? (Ex – abortion, war in Iraq, etc.)
2. How are your political views similar to or different from those of your parents? Why?
3. Does politics play a part in who you choose as friends?
4. Should government be able to regulate family size in our country? Why?
5. What political party do you belong to? Why?
6. Who is your favorite politician? Why? Least favorite and why?
Religion/Spirituality
· Social Institution Cover Page – definition of the social institution, an analysis of why this social institution is so important to you, pictures or symbols that represent this institution
· Include at least 4 personal photographs (not clip art or pictures of random people or activities off the internet) that represent the significance of religion/spirituality in your life. Pick one photo and briefly describe what it represents and why it is important to you.
· Interview a person who is a member of the clergy (or plays a role closely involved with religion/spirituality), rather than a church volunteer or someone on the administrative staff. Avoid short responses. Use your interviewing skills to get more information from the individual! Please provide contact information (name, phone # and/or email) for the person you interview. Failure to provide this will result in point deductions.
You must ask the following questions, but you can ask additional ones of your choice. Please type out the questions along with the individual’s responses.
1. What is your job and how long have you been in this career?
2. Why did you get involved in this career?
3. Would you encourage others to pursue this career?
4. What has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this job?
5. What are some of the biggest challenges you personally face in your job?
6. Should there be a separation between Church and State?
· Reflection Questions/Items
Please type out the questions along with your responses.
1. What aspect of your religion/spirituality is the most important to you and why?
2. Would you raise your children in your faith? Why or why not?
3. What do you believe about life after death? How much does your religion/spirituality influence your beliefs?
4. What advice would you give to others about religion/spirituality?
5. Does religion/spirituality play a part in who you choose as friends?
Economics
· Social Institution Cover Page – definition of the social institution, an analysis of why this social institution is so important to you, pictures or symbols that represent this institution
· Include at least 4 personal photographs (not clip art or pictures of random people or activities off the internet) that represent the significance of economics in your life. Pick one photo and briefly describe what it represents and why it is important to you.
· Interview a person who has a career that is related to economics ( banking, finance, accounting, business owner, CEO, entrepreneur, investment broker, etc.), preferably not an immediate family member. Avoid short responses. Use your interviewing skills to get more information from the individual! Please provide contact information (name, phone # and/or email) for the person you interview. Failure to provide this will result in point deductions.
You must ask the following questions, but you can ask additional ones of your choice. Please type out the questions along with the individual’s responses.
1. What is your job and how long have you been involved in it?
2. Why did you get involved with this career?
3. Would you encourage others to pursue this career?
4. Has outsourcing affected your job?
5. How has technology (internet, access to info, etc.) affected your job?
6. What are some of the biggest challenges you personally face in your job?
7. What has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this job?
8. What role should the government play in our economy?
· Reflection Questions/Items
Please type out the questions along with your responses.
1. What are two economic issues you feel strongly about and why? (college costs, debt, inflation, etc)
2. Do you think the government should play a role in how wealth is distributed in this country? In other words, should there be a limit on how wealthy or how poor individuals should be?
3. Does economics/income play a part in who you choose as your friends?
4. Do you think capitalism is the best system for this country?
5. What are some economic issues you feel government should not have a say in?
6. If you could get the government to carry out one single policy, what would it be?
7. Do you have a job? Why? What role does this play in your life?
Family
· Social Institution Cover Page – definition of the social institution, an analysis of why this social institution is so important to you, pictures or symbols that represent this institution
· Include at least 4 personal photographs (not clip art or pictures of random people or activities off the internet) that represent the significance of family in your life. Pick one photo and briefly describe what it represents and why it is important to you.
· Interview one or both of your parents. Keep in mind that interviewing both will give additional information and perspective. Avoid short responses. Use your interviewing skills to get more information from the individual! Please provide contact information (name, phone # and/or email) for the person you interview. Failure to provide this will result in point deductions.
You must ask the following questions, but you can ask additional ones of your choice. Please type out the questions along with the individual’s responses.
1. How old were you when you got married?
2. What were your expectations about marriage? Family?
3. Did you, or did you ever consider living together before marriage?
4. What is the best thing about marriage? The worst?
5. What advice do you have for me about marriage and family?
6. What has changed about marriage today compared to when you got married?
7. If you could do it all over again, would you do anything differently? Explain.
· Reflection Questions/Items
Please type out the questions along with your responses.
1. Observe your family and comment on the following topics:
Roles of mom and dad – jobs, chores, nurturer, etc.
Decision-making process
Resolution of conflicts
Dinner time routine
Your “role” in the family
2. What is your best family experience? Your worst?
3. Describe your perfect spouse? From where does this image come?
4. How do you picture your family life in 10 years? 20 years?
5. What would you do the same or differently than your parents?
6. Beliefs about cohabitation (living together) before marriage?
7. Attitude about same-sex marriages?
Education
· Social Institution Cover Page – definition of the social institution, an analysis of why this social institution is so important to you, pictures or symbols that represent this institution
· Include 4 personal photographs (not clip art or pictures of random people or activities off the internet) that represent the significance of education in your life. Pick one photo and briefly describe what it represents and why it is important to you.
· Interview a teacher, counselor, dean, administrator, or someone else directly involved in education. Preferably not an immediate family member. Avoid short responses. Use your interviewing skills to get more information from the individual! Please provide contact information (name, phone # and/or email) for the person you interview. Failure to provide this will result in point deductions.
You must ask the following questions, but you can ask additional ones of your choice. Please include the questions along with the individual’s responses.
1. How long have you been involved in education and in what capacity?
2. Why did you get involved in education?
3. Has your career in education met your expectations?
4. What are some of the biggest challenges you personally face in your job?
5. What do you see as the largest obstacles facing education today or in the future?
6. Would you advise someone to go into education?
7. What do you see as the future for public education? Do you think it will eventually be privatized?
· Reflection Questions/Items
Please include the questions along with your responses.
1. Compare/contrast your school experience at NRHS with that of a friend who goes to another school.