'distance Learning Study Guide for the Way We Live Telecourse/distance Learning Course

Summary: The Way We Live Video Table of Contents Lesson 1 - Connections What is Sociology? In this introductory lesson various perspectives are offered by leading sociologists for understanding the complex interplay of individuals, groups and relationships in society, and how they provide a context for living and a roadmap for understanding life's limitations … and possibilities. Students Rising Above, a program that helps ...disadvantaged youth succeed in school, is featured in this episode. Lesson 2 - Truth Be Told Sociological research and methodology is often the subject of debate among sociologists. The pursuit of objectivity in sociological research, Critical Sociology, and the idea of Sociology as a science…each has transformed the way sociologists approach sociological research. This lesson also includes discussion of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and features aSlice of Lifesegment on sociologist Mitchell Duneier and his research on New York homeless populations. Lesson 3 - Common Ground Values, beliefs, traditions, language, and material goods form the subject of this lesson about the components of culture. The video lesson begins with aSlice of Lifelook at the Amish - a group whose members in Southeastern Pennsylvania maintain language and other cultural traditions unique to early Germanic settlers to the region. The American values of individual rights and consumerism are also discussed. Lesson 4 - Fitting In Humans are born without any culture. For virtually anyone, the process of socialization begins with the family and continues through other social agents such as school, peer groups and mass media. The popularity of reality television shows that offer "extreme makeovers" is highlighted in this lesson as an example of the desire to fit in. Lesson 5 - Face to Face This lesson looks at how such aspects of social interaction as language, humor and emotion can shape and change the way we view the world around us. Nowhere is this interaction more visible than in the fusion of language and emotion which characterize the world of politics. But social interaction in the more mundane world of everyday life can be just as significant. The video lesson begins with a stand-up comedy show that helps us further understand the significance of humor, as both a form of self-expression and as a culturally-specific method of social interaction. Lesson 6 - All Together Whether a small group or a multinational corporation, every organization has its own culture. This lesson looks at organizational behavior and includes discussion around the ideas of Frederick Taylor and "scientific management," corporate culture and the pitfalls of bureaucracy. As we see [read more]