Sociology

Week 2
1. Symbolic interactionism argue that meanings are not inherent in things or gestures but are socially derived and negotiated through interaction with others. Think of some recent fashion trend. Can you describe this trend in terms of what it means to those who embrace it? What sorts of interaction produce and maintain this meaning? 2. Marx described the way religion can be used by the ruling class to create a false consciousness in the working class. Can you think of other types of ideologies that serve the interest of the ruling class? Please type your answers into a word document and proofread it before posting it on the board

Week 3
Note: You should have this page bookmarked for easy access. www.wwnorton.com/studyspace. Please read Sally Raskoff, Measuring Abortion Beliefs, 6/14/2009, at http://nortonbooks.typepad.com/everydaysociology/statistics_and_methods/page/3/

Please answer the following questions about the entry: 1. How does using the terms pro-life and pro-choice in polls about abortion cause bias in the results? 2. Why are polls about abortion important in U.S. politics? 3. How does the slight change in the wording of the questions in the Gallup Poll and the Quinnipiac University Poll cause vastly different results? 4. Why does statistical significance and margin of error (MoE) matter when reporting the results of a pro-choice/pro-life identification poll? Instructions: Please answer the question by Wednesday and at least two other comments to your classmates by Sunday. Always use spellchecker before posting. What makes a good discussion posting that gives you full points? Substantial-thoughtful, original, relevant and contributes to the overall learning of the group

Stimulates thinking and reasoning Logical and concise Timely, free or errors (use spellchecker) Respectful of diverse ideas

Developmental Psych
Week 2
Breastfeeding - Part 1 Discussion Forum
Several studies suggest that breast-fed babies become more intelligent children than formula-fed babies. One such study (Lucas and others, 1992) involved 300 premature babies whose mothers had chosen, prior tot the experiment, whether or not to breast feed their newborns. Infants in both the breast-milk and formula groups were fed by tube for 18 months. As 8-year-olds, children fed breast milk as infants scored 8 points higher in overall IQ than did those who were fed formula. This difference was observed even after the researchers adjusted for differences in the social class and maternal education of the two groups. (This adjustment allowed the researchers to rule out any pre-existing differences in the groups that might have independently contributed to IQ differences in their children.) The authors acknowledged that other differences between the groups, such as the children's genetic potential or their parents' caregiving skills or motivation to nurture, could explain the results. However, they believe that human milk contains various hormones and other factors that enhance brain growth and maturation. Choose one or more of the following questions to answer: 1. State the researchers' research hypothesis in your own words. Identify the independent and dependent variables, and define all important concepts and terms as they are used in this study. 2. What evidence do the researchers offer as a test of their hypothesis? Is this evidence empirical (observable)? Is it valid? 3. What explanation do the researchers offer for their findings? Does this explanation make sense based on the evidence? 4. Given the results of this study, why can't the researchers draw a causal connection between type of food and later intelligence? What might be an alternative explanation for the results of this study? What could the researchers do in order to make a causal connection between the dependent and independent variable?

5. Are there any practical implications for this research? Dates for all readings, assignments, discussions for this chapter IF ORIENTATION IS COMPLETE, Tues. 1/10 through Thurs. 1/19 Fri. 1/20 through Mon. 1/30 Tue. 1/31 through Wed. 2/8 Thur. 2/9 through Mon. 2/20 Tue. 2/21 through Wed. 2/29 Thur. 3/1 through Sat. 3/3 Mon.3/5 through Sat. 3/10 Mon. 3/12 through Wed. 3/21 Wed. 3/21 through Fri. 3/30 Sat. 3/31 through Mon. 4/9 Mon. 4/9 through Tue. 4/17 Tue. 4/17 through Sat. 4/21 Mon., Tues., Wed, (4/23 - 4/25) Pick your day! Chapter Number Part 1 (Chapters 1 and 2), upload your picture assignment Part 2A (Chapters 3 and 4) Part 2B (Chapters 5 and 6) Part 3 (Chapters 7 and 8) Part 4 (Chapters 9 and 10) MIDTERM Exam covers chapters 1 through 10 Spring Break - - ENJOY - - Course is CLOSED Part 5 (Chapters 11 and 12) Part 6 (Chapters 13 and 14) Part 7 (Chapters 15 and 16) Part 8 (Chapters 17 and 18) Part 9 (Chapter 19) FINAL EXAM covers chapters 11 - 19