1. Bell Ringer
There is a stereotypical culture of the American education system portrayed in film and popular culture.
Do you think RMHS fits with this idea of school culture in America? Explain.
What distinct groups of kids do you see here at Rocky?
Which group do YOU identify with (if any)?

2. Culture

3. What is culture? Culture: Shared products of human groups
Includes physical objects and the beliefs, values, and behaviors of a group

4. What is Society?
Society: Group of mutually interdependent people who have organized in such a way as to share a common culture and feeling of unity

5. Material culture
Material culture: Physical objects created by human groups. Artifacts are the physical objects of material culture

6. Nonmaterial Culture
Nonmaterial culture: Abstract human creations— language, ideas, beliefs, rules, skills, family patterns, work practices, and political and economic systems

7. Bell Ringer
Think about the character “Bender” from The Breakfast Club.
Why do you think he acts the way he does?
Explain his behavior using the sociological imagination (in other words, how has society contributed to his behavior)?

8. Components of culture Symbols: Anything that stands for something else
Each symbol has meaning attached to it, that everyone in a particular culture understands

9. Language
Language: Organization of written or spoken symbols into standardized system
Linguistic relativity: Theory that our idea of reality depends largely upon language
If something is important to a society, its language will have many words to describe it.
EX: Time intervals in the US—second, minute, hour, era, century, morning, mid-morning, noon, afternoon, evening, etc.
How we think about a thing relates to the number and complexity of words available to describe it

10. Values
Values: Shared beliefs about what is good or bad, right or wrong, desirable or undesirable
How we think about a thing relates to the number and complexity of words available to describe it in our language.

11. Norms
Norms: Shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations
Examples: Respect for the flag, marriage expectations, manners, etc.
Norms are learned behaviors. Once norms are learned, members use them to guide social behavior—even without awareness.
Kayan tribe in SE Asia! Neck elongation! Some say the coil collar was first introduced to protect women from tiger bites. Others say the coils made women look unattractive so slave traders were less likely to hunt them down and capture them. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some say the coils symbolize beauty and wealth, in order to make a woman attractive to the men of the Padaung tribe, which help them attract a better husband. Some say the rings identify the women as Padaung, translating into "hands-off," so they won't be taken by men of other tribes. Another theory is that the rings represent the look and power of a dragon, fostering the legend that Padaung women are descendants of the mythological Mother Dragon.
EX: Standing in line—don’t even think about it until someone tries to step in front of you.
Applauding after a performance.
In India, someone could die of starvation next to a herd of cattle.
Cultures where people become engaged before they ever meet.

12. Norms
Folkways: These are norms that do not have great moral significance attached to them--customs of everyday life
Don’t eat with your fingers; shake hands when you meet someone, be on time to school/work
What happens when these are violated?

13. Norms Mores (more-ayz): These are norms with great moral significance
Violation of these will create social imbalance
For serious mores, laws are created to enforce compliance
Don’t steal, don’t lie.

14. Bell Ringer
For each of the two types of social norms we discussed in class, do the following:
Define/describe in your own words
Give an original example
Don’t steal, don’t lie.

15. Bell Ringer
Were you able to find any research on your topic last class?
If so, what did you find?
If not, what are some possible key words/phrases you can search for that may relate to your topic?
Even though we are just getting started with this project, you probably have an idea of what you think the outcome will be. Write down your prediction.
Don’t steal, don’t lie.

16. Step One: Once you have selected a topic for your research paper, you need to focus and narrow it into a specific research question. Your question should be one that:
Lends itself to sociological analysis (i.e. requires analysis; is researchable)
Is not a "yes" or "no" question
Has more than one plausible answer
Is answerable within the scope of this project
Has been approved by your favorite teacher (Mrs. Zimmer)