Sociology Reflective Essay

Before I came to Kwantlen, I had already taken a sociology course. When I took the latest class of Sociology, Soci-1125, it really opened my eyes to what is really going on in this world. Through videos, class discussions, lectures and social justice events, I gained a better understand of many things. This class has better prepared me for my life, and I feel as though I am able to live it to the fullest. I am able to see the familiar in the unfamiliar, and view things in the most positive way possible. During this class I learned specific core concepts to have a better understanding of our world. These concepts included the sociological imagination, the global sociological imagination, critique, debunking, ethnocentrism and finally, obvious. Ethnocentrism plays a big role in life, and I found it to be the most useful concept to learn about in my life. Ethnocentrism has many positive and negative effects, and can also be a good thing, if used correctly and to a certain extent.

The core concept I chose to go into further detail with is ethnocentrism. ethnocentrism is judging or comparing someone else’s life in comparison to your own. It is also viewing your group as the center of everything else. And in a lot of cases it is viewing other people’s lives as negative, or not as good as your own. But there is no right or wrong life. Positive functions of ethnocentrism includes “social comparison” (lecture notes 13). Negative functions include the “Us versus them mentality,” “false sense of superiority, invincibility, and infallibility” (lecture notes 13). Everyone’s life is just different. Being in Canada I have had the chance to have a very happy, and fulfilling life. Canada is a first world country, so there are many things we have that people in other countries could only wish to have one day. Through this class though I have realized that I have been judging people, and their way of lives. And I have been comparing their lives and the way they live them to my own. Which is not fair. People in a third world country is going to have a different life compared to someone in Canada.

This concept has allowed me to become a more fair person. I am trying my best now to not put down other people’s countries and cultures. Although, even though it is not good to have an ethnocentric view of other things, there is nothing wrong with being happy, or positive about your own way of living, and how you do things. Everyone is different, and they do not deserve to be treated the same.

In this class I unlearned a lot of stereotypes. Through videos we watched in class, I learned about different cultures and how they have learned to sustain themselves with what they personally have. I also learned a lot about Ghana. When I went to the social justice event I learned about their school systems. I was surprised to learn that the teachers only get paid if students pay their tuition. I was not even aware of the amount of schooling, and then I learned that teachers were so committed to school, sometimes they would not even get payed. And finally finishing with a quote we learned, “broader understanding comes about in comparison and contrasts which let others be” (Charles Taylor).

Social Justice Event Blog

The social justice event that I chose to go to was held at the Kwantlen’s Surrey campus. During the event the discussed why it is such an amazing chance to go on a trip to Ghana. The three speakers I was there for included people from Kwantlen’s faculty, and two students, Natalie and Jenna.

The  faculty brought to our attention many things that made Ghana such a good place to go and visit and do volunteer work for. Some of the things included meeting new friends, developing critical insight, and it makes you ask important questions about the world we live in. It is also important to Ghana and their economic development. It also opened up the ability to think in different ways you normal would. And with going to a new place, there is also a lot of culture shock, and it changes the way you live after and while you are there. And finally the biggest point, you are able to learn in the biggest classroom of all, the world.

Natalie discussed with us the concept of cultural relativism. This allows you to step back from your own views, and in turn, use the other place’s culture so you do not judge with your own customs. When you do this it allows you to let go of what you previously knew, and it makes you question reality. This also enforces a want to learn, and a want for more knowledge.

For Natalie’s volunteer work in Ghana she was situated in a school. The school was called Anani Memorial. The principle of the schools runs it and allows it to be a school for children of all ages and from everywhere. As for how the teachers are payed, they only get payed if the students pay their tuition. At the school, they have little to no resources. They did not even have a pencil sharpener, they used razor blades to sharpen the pencils. So while Natalie was there, she shared her own resources with the school, such as her time, and little things like “Old McDonald.” Natalie also gave the school a scholarship on behalf of the students that went to Ghana, Natalie said that while on this trip she gained a selfless act, knowledge, friendship, and an everlasting memory.

Jenna discussed stereotypes with us. While she was in Ghana she confirmed the stereotype of Ghanaians being friendly, genuine people. She shattered the stereotype that said that all of Africa was a safari, with swelting heat, and unbearable bugs.

Jenna believed she gained the ability to look at all situations from all points of view. And the knowledge to seek out contributing and mitigating factors. And Jenna gave her skills and knowledge to research issues while in Ghana. She has a new-found appreciation for the luxuries afforded to the Canadian population. And lastly, a new-found respect for the dedication of Ghanaian people. And she finished of her speech with a quote, “Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.”

I found this event to be very interesting. I thought it was really nice to hear this groups experiences in a new place, as well as how they helped out Ghana. To me I could relate because I went to Mexico to help children learn about their rights as human begins. Overall very enjoyable.

Video blog on Social Construction by Dr. Gwen Sharp and Lisa Wade,

Dialectic Reading

What questions did the video raise?

• What is social construct?
• What are the differences between our cultures?
• Why do we use words to connect to specific things?

How did the video answer these question?

• People making claims about what things mean, and that the majority of people in that culture agree on that meaning.
• There are many differences in cultures. For example the thumbs up in American culture means good job, where as in Iraq it means “up yours.”
• Words are used in order to make sure the people in your specific culture know what you are talking about. But in other cultures the meaning or the word, or the specific word you use may be different. Which can be seen with the amount of words and symbols that can be found all over the globe.

How does the answers match our own ideas and experiences?

• Social construct is very important in society, including the one I live in. For example if people did not agree that a red traffic light means stop, and a green one means go. It would be very difficult for me to go anywhere.
• There are many differences in culture in just my society. For example, in my family we celebrate Christmas. But it’s possible that other people I go to school with my celebrate Hanukkah.
• It is important to have meanings to specific words or symbols because going back to the example of traffic lights. If there was a sign on the side of the road that said no exit, and people did not know what that meant, or the symbol that is on it, which is a red line in a circle, there could be many accidents.

Video blog on Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story

Paraphrastic Reading

This video is about how other societies can hold a very large power of influence over someone. In this video she speaks of how she wrote books of white people in the snow and so forth because that was all she ever read. There were very few books from where she lived. As well as how what people tell you, sways your beliefs and that is all you believe. And the world has made stereotypes of everyone around our world, because we do not know any better, or they have a “single story.” You only have a single opinion on someone or a group of people, such as Africans. Media also plays a very big role in creating the “single story,” they show people as one thing over and over again, and eventually that is what they become.

When we choose not to listen to the “single story.” When we see that no place will have just one story about them. That is when we will find or recapture a kind of heaven.

I thought this segment of the video was most important because it’s so true. If we did not go around making judgements about every kind of person, and about everything they do. We will along with everyone else who is under these stereotypes,  be a lot happier.

Video Blog on “What Have My Cocoa Beans Got To Do with Canada

Affective Reading

In this video, “What Have My Cocoa Beans Got To Do with Canada” it discusses that people need to use their Global Sociological Imagination, and they need to see that even though you may never cross paths with people, their lives still affect you in one way or another. For example the cocoa beans that were planted in Ghana, are now being used as food in Canada, as well as supplying jobs for Canadians that work in the chocolate industry. The central premises of this movie is that we need to realize what we do affects everyone, and we need to use our Global Sociological Imagination and “make or global relations better.”

I feel that this movie really makes me see that even though we can not always trace back things to find out where they came from. We need to appreciate them, because you never know what the story behind such objects such as the cocoa beans could have.

I think that this video is a real eye opener, I had never really thought about where our chocolate comes from. But because of Canadians wanting chocolate, that opens up many jobs for not only Canadians in chocolate factories but Ghanaians when they plant the beans.

I believe that it is important for people to see videos like this, because I do not think people really appreciate the hard work that goes into the things we take so easily for granted, such as the cocoa bean.

I know now after watching this video, how much other peoples lives affect our own. And that if people in complete opposite ends of the world didn’t do what they were and have been doing, Canadians as well as other people may not have all the things we do have.

Class Participation

On 7 billion people: Our Earth our has a certain amount of carrying capacity, so we are in danger or running our of resources for people, but in some cultures feel as though they need bigger families, in order to have people to look after the elders. So what we really need is family planning, and lowering our birth rates.

Class Participation

On video: We were discussing why people are so easily influenced by people around you, and this happens because people do not want to stand out, so you follow what other people do.

What is an example of a total institution: I said jails were an example of total institutions.