assignment

few Day Students heeded this furlough assignment.  Night students:  listen up!  http://sorenkerk.com/Furlough%20Days.htm  and check this http://writingsoc.blogspot.com/2010/02/playing-for-change-response.html

Playing for Change response

In "Playing for Change," Mark Johnson (the filmmaker) is trying to impart the power music has as a universally unifying and restorative force. His use of musicians from multiple countries playing the same songs and expressing the same fundamentally human sentiments (the desire for love, companionship and an accepting support system) brings this point home. The overlying message I gathered from this clip is that, while we are different, we are still one - we live in the same world and share the same experiences and desires. Sociology echoes these sentiments. One of its goals is to demonstrate that, although we are divided by space, culture and time, we are still one cohesive whole. Certain universal truths are inherent in the human experience, independent of country of origin, social status or individual variation. Did anyone else get a different impression from the clip? (originally posted 2/23)

Donate for Chile Quake Victims

I wanted to find something legitimate and reliable, so I figured NBC would not be a scam. Following is a link that tells you how to donate using text messages if you have AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint or T-Mobile.
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/breaking/Mobile_giving_campaign_underway_for_Chile-85722627.html

Super Stressed

My grandmother and great grandmother are in Chile right now....super stressed. Keeping good thoughts for everyone down there right now

Chile

live upstream 

Karma

A person can only do bad for so long before it starts to catch up with them. I hate liars and snakes they are the poorest excuses for human beings. And the justice system well it hardly ever serves justice properly instead it is composed of lies and snakes too. We as a society will continue to suffer through the injustices of the system and the world! Such a pity!

Nervous

What a busy week. Just had an interview, getting ready for another interview tomorrow, and preparing for a dance performance for Monday. Wow it is a good feeling to know that my time is at least being spend wisely.

Please take this survey! paper # 5

Click here to take survey

with regard to paying your bills on line

or by check:  watch this:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwUTvIyRvdk#

human movement predicatable

http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2010/02/cell-phones-show-human-movement-predictable-93-of-the-time.ars

Women paying for dates

It's interesting how much attention is paid to money in relationships. I never realized how stressful it would be to pay for dates. Now I pay for every date and I understand what men feel and how hard it can be sometimes. Money is a huge deal in realtionships and the more equal EVERYTHING can be the better. So if you usually don't pay for anything, step up and see how your partner may feel. Good Luck and if you truely care about someone show them, don't just tell them.

Picture this:

I hate the fact that police officers mis-use their authority. What ever happens they end up winning?

Survey!

Does anyone have any ideas on a survey question? =(

Survey Monkey

Please take a quick survey for my paper #5!

Click here to take survey

I noticed someone's profile picture

I noticed that someone had The Stig as their profile picture, and I thought it was such a good idea, I had to steal it. If you don't know who The Stig is, he's an unknown race car driver that has his identity hidden that test drives cars for the popular British show Top Gear. He's probably the favorite part of my show because of the funny comments Jeremy Clarkeson makes about him everytime he gets introduced(e.g. Some say that his genitals are on upside down, and that if he could be bothered, he could crack the Da Vinci Code in 43 seconds... all we know is, he's called the Stig.). Here's a link to more about the stig http://www.topgearshow.com/page/The+Stig+Quotes.
On another but similar note, If any of you watched the Jay Leno show you might recall the green car challenge where celebrities drove an electric car around a race track to get the best time. well, that was a rip off of Top Gear's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car challenge. Isn't it funny how American TV rips off British tv or other foreign TV shows and calls them their own. some that come to mind are the office, survivor, who wants to be a millionaire. etc?

QUICK!! or not so quick just by tomorrow please

Is there anywhere I can go for quick ASA citing help for a paper? How do I cite something from a professor's powerpoint(in the essay and in references)?

FamilyStructure

I am really interested in looking at the sociology of the family structure in America. In what ways do parents raise their children? What norms and values are instilled in children? Since we come from different backgrounds, everyone should have different sets of values. I think in order to achieve a higher level of society we have to look at the different aspects of how everyone views the world. In order to do that we must not judge negatively the different styles of life but rather understand why people have gravitated towards that lifestyle. Honestly, I don't know much about all the different groups and cultures that are present in our own society, but I would like learn about them all so I can achieve a greater appreciation for what they are trying to do.
I think the nation's symbol should be a chameleon because until we can truly blend into all kinds of situations and backgrounds we are not being what an American is supposed to be. At least that is my definition of an American. Because, what are we? Americans are not white. I don't care what people say or believe. America is the land of the free, right? I didn't know I had to be white to be free. I understand that is how people view it so they can be angry in order to fight the fight for social change, but I don't think the world is so meek. I am blessed to be where I am and complaining that I'm not white won't do anything. Maybe looking at how family structures work would help understand how to build a good fundamental basis for success.
I don't know if this is all sociology, but this is one of the reasons why I chose this subject as my major. Would this make me a symbolic interactionist? I am sure as hell that I don't fully agree with conflict theorist and the world doesn't seem just run like chains and sprockets. What i'm really trying to figure out is how I can do this kind of research without bias and forming stereotypes. Studying race and culture in our society can get messy,but I think it is necessary in order to work on closing the gap between the socioeconomic elite and poor. I don't mean to be ethnocentric where I believe that there is a right group or that my culture is correct,but some things are working in everyone's cultures so we should look at those things and formulate a number of possibilities that could work in our society so eventually our society can be the model of correct ethnocentrism. Does that even make sense or do people even want that? It seems very biased to want my society's practices to be the correct practices around, but why can't there be something like that if it works and it is all correct. I am not saying society should be rigid. I actually want the opposite of that, but in all societies, there are some things that have not produced good things and those should be eliminated first. This has just turned into a ramble, but I had this on my mind. I wish my writing was better so I could portray what I wanted to say better but I guess this will have to do.

Settle Down Age v Sex

All input is valuable especially MEN please dont leave me hanging :) http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JZ67CL7

Writing Day Class

Remember that Wednesday is a furlough day.  Use the time to work on Paper #5.    http://sorenkerk.com/Furlough%20Days.htm <-- and see this video to watch and post about.  Night folks:  you watch, too - for your furlough comes up March 4th.

Cancer

Why does everything give us cancer today, but tomarrow it is safe???

TV is B.S.

How is it that news about Rihanna getting a lap dance from a little person makes the news but real stories are never told. The media disables our ability to have an understanding of the world around us. The media also makes our society more fearful of our world by always reporting the negative rather than the positive. I'm tired of all this B.S. on TV with pointless news stories that don't help us at all. No one cares about the wack celebrities.....

Who trusts the Internet? Men or Women

Click here to take survey

Sundays are the best

because I rarely ever feel satisfied on a sunday. I just can't wait until it's over. sometimes sundays make me feel like doing a lot of school work or house work, but no matter how much I can get done, I still feel like I havent accomplished enough. I think I need the busy feeling of the week to take this stress off my mind.

Writer's Block - Aaaargh!

I've got a paper to work on and can't get my brain to unleash the first sentence. Banging my head against a wall isn't a productive way of dealing with this, right?

Memories that make me smile

When I was young I use to take care of my grandmother even though she "claimed" that she took care of me and my brothers and sisters lol. I would pretend to be her nurse, hand her medicine as indicated, and give her water all the time. She has been a stong figure in my life who had a fascinating sense of humor which clearly runs in the family. She would tell me stories of when she was young and of when I was born and everything of that sort. She has met most of my ex some of my friends even some of my insturctors. She always wanted the best for me even though at times I thought she didnt care for me.
She had made me and my sisters a promise that she would take us to the beach again when my sister would reach her height...the problem is that my sister is like a foot and a half taller than her now lol. This always makes me laugh...but sometimes it is the thought that matters the most.

My grandmother has been in the hospital sense Thursday...I've been going sense Thursday for about 4 hours each day. She is glad to see me. It makes me terribly sad when she says "death is finally calling me" but then I tell her to hang in there until I get married and she could scream out "I object" since she almost never liked any of my boyfriends...haha that made her laugh. I cant bare the thought of not having her but I know that it is inevitable, her heart and kidneys are giving in. I just hope I get to see her for a longer time.

It is the simplest things in life that are worth a lot such as memories...and usually we dont realize we have them until they are gone...Im glad I do appreciate life's simplicities and for that reason I do smile inspite of the situation.

Urgent!!!!!!!!

Please anyone who has writing class at night on thursdays, my sister-in-law is going to the hospital and I'm the only person close by ( well quicker because I take the bus) to take care of her kids...

My name is Luis Camargo, you don't know me much because I'm hardly there and it's because of personal reasons why I'm not there.
Who ever gets this please tell the professor my apologies and that I'll be submitting my paper as urgent.

Thank you so much!!!

Please if you also can help me out for any details of the next paper... I'll be an honor of you...
Please call me 323/434-3641 or email me at choco_003@yahoo.com

thanks again

with much love Luis

Pole Aerobics

So for paper #4 I took a pole aerobics class and now I can't feel my body. LOL, when I sneeze it hurts, when I laugh it hurts, when I think it hurts!.. OUCHHHH

question

Does anyone remember if it is 0.5" or 0.75" for the left and right margins for the paper?

Seriously?

Has anyone been watching the 2010 Winter Olympics and its commercials? For those who have not, there is a Mc Donald's commercial with some of the competitors in it. There, they are sitting down, eating, and having a great tie! Stating how great the food at Mc Donalds is. Seriously? I HIGHLY doubt you would ever actually catch any of them in a fast food restaurant. What make me upset about places such as Mc Donalds, promoting their fatty obesity causig foods, is showing professional atheletes "enjoying" eating this meal. YES, I am guilty of eating there and other fast food restaurants. the point that I'm trying to make however, is for the younger crowd this could be a probem.When you are growing up, you look up to certain individuals and try to be "like them". Having these respectable, fit, trained athletes eating these burgers on T.V. s emabarassing. Ok ya its just to "promote" the business. That's what America is all about right? Being successful. But, it is sad to see such great athletes promote places like this. Children will watch this and will play through their minds, "Wow! Sean White eats thre! Well I want to eat there too!" Why can't they proote places such as: Whole Foods or any other "healtheir" choice. Perfect example as to why America is one of h fatest countrys in the world.

Do Women Pay their Fair Share on Dates?

Many women who expect equality in their personal relationships still expect men to insist on paying all the expenses of dating, at least on early dates. . . . Dr. Lever will show her new data based on 17,372 currently single daters who responded to the 2008 ELLE/msnbc.com  

This event will be 3:15-4:15 in KH Lecture Room#1 Tues Mar 2

Dr. Lever will have her own students to participate as debaters, but if either male or female students would like to participate and take a position (women shouldn’t pay as much, or at all vs. women should pay their fair share), send her a statement of you position and best way (email or phone) and best times to reach them; send to: jlever@calstatela.edu.

Hope to see  you at the event!

Hey U! Wanna help out a fellow student?

I've created an online survey to gather my paper #5 data with - if you or a (very bored) buddy feel like filling it out, I'd be much obliged. I'm looking for a wide variety of age groups, so if you know of any older folks who may be interested, let 'em know! Everyone who fills out the survey and includes their email address will be put in a random drawing to win a $25 Amazon.com gift card...the things I do for social science!  Click here to take survey

Service Awards for Soc Majors

nominate any Soc student for service to the Department?
nominate any Soc student for service to the Community?
Let me know - email me - or ask questions here.

"Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can" -John Wesley

good news!

For anyone who is in soc 301 on Thursday nights...my boyfriend now sleeps on my RIGHT side! haha! only those who where there that night will understand my excitment :c)

Paper #4 criteria

Here is what U judge yourselves on for paper #4. First is a triangle for structure: Beginning- Middle-End tied together by title. Read this & do a final edit before #4 Wed or Thu

The Real World : West Hollywood

Living in West Hollywood has and it's still is an experience I'm going through. As I walk to get coffe men are everywhere, age range from thirty and above to a point where it's considered old. But these men are different of what is consider to be the manly hood style. Ofcourse they are men, but way too healthy; there's no problem there, but it just looks different from my culture experience. Men were supposed to be tough and less sensitive, men do not dance unless they don't move much of their hips. Is this actually based on my culture how my parents raised me, of how society views men should be, masculine and not feminine.

Plagiarism

A couple of weeks ago we had a discussion on plagiarism, and basically if one is caught plagiarizing, then it is assumed that this was done "intentionally."

I had a problem with this. Why? Well, we are in "school" right? And in school one is supposed to "learn," right? Well, the concept of "learning" presupposes that one will make a mistake, otherwise, then they do not need to "learn"; they've alread done it correct. But, when it comes to plagiarism, learning is punished, or it appears to be.

In another class of mine, Hist. 251A, we had to take a plagiarism quiz. We had to study for the quiz at this anti-plagiarism web site, (the url is pasted in the "Labels for this post:").

It actually was kind of interesting visiting the web site, and learning about plagiarism and copyright, etc. I learned about the spirit behind having a well-documented paper, which is to show one's authority, and it encourages something called "academic integrity," which is kind of inspiring.

However, the web site also states: "Plagiarism, whether or not it is intentional, is looked upon as an academic crime." And they say some pretty serious things if one is caught plagiarizing, such as "the saction for any violation is severe." (Btw, this is a university web site).

Wow, are they serious? And yet plagiarism happens, does it not? If you go to Wikipedia and type in "List of plagiarism controversies," you'll see quite a few, too numerous for me to mention. Rembember Jason Blair? Or George Harrison?

Yep, both guilty of plagiarism.

Well, I supposed that most acts of plagiarism, outside of school, are done intentionally for personal profit.

I would argue though that in school, most acts of plagiarism are unintentional. Even if someone intentially steals someone else's work, I don't necessarily think that they're doing it because they want to cheat the system. I think they're doing it because they do not know how to do it correctly, or maybe they are too frightened that their own work is not going to be good enough. In other words they think they're going to be punished. So, like any intelligent person, they weigh the consequences.

To put this plagiarism issue in a different light, I'd like to refer to Kate Turabian. Under the heading "Guard against inadvertent Plagiarism," the authors write, "Many instructors warn against plagiarism but don't explain it, because they think it is always an act of deliberate dishonesty that needs no explanation." They go on to say that there are instances of deliberate plagiarism, such as when a student purchases a completed paper.

But in some cases, students do not know they are plagiarizing; they continue: "But many students fail to realize that they risk being charged with plagiarism even if they were not intentionally dishonest, but only ignorant or careless." (Turabian, 77).

Yes, sometimes we can be ignorant or careless.

I honestly believe that since plagiarism is such a serious issue, we should have more instruction on it. I've gone to school now for a number of years, and I've never been formally instructed on plagiarism. I've just been told "don't plagiarize."

This is really a criticism of our education system, which is considered "traditional," and punitive. I'd like to make an unequivical statement: Learning should never be punished. Never. In other words, if a student is caught plagiarizing, they maybe be something that the student needs to learn, and this should be looked at an encouraged.

I will say that if a student intentionally steals someone elses work, or intentionally takes credit for work that is not his or hers, and the consequences have been laid out to them (which they are aware of at the time), then, in this instance punishment may be justified. (italics mine. Actually, the whole statement is mine).

But even in this case there may be something to learn; something positive, and punishment may not be necessary.

So the bottom line, we have to check it out ourselves. It seems that the monolithic institution of our schools and universities treat most if not all acts of plagiarism as intentional, even though the student who is trying to get a college education the best way he or she knows how, and I might add, the way our competitive education system has taught him or her, may not have meant any harm. Perhaps if George Harrison and Jason Blair really learned about plagiarism, they would not have plagiarized.

Come What May

There are times when nothing goes the way we had hoped or had forseen it. In fact most of the times things seem to go completely the opposite direction from which we want them to go. Regardless of what direction it goes, it always leads to a new experience, the only difference is whether we enjoy or regret that experience. Come what may...whether it's painful, memorable, embarrassing, or plain out crazy, I always try to learn from it because learning just shows us how little we truly know in life.

"framing" the observation paper

remember you can "frame" not only in your expectations, but also in what this is NOT. This is NOT football practice. This is NOT a baby shower. This is NOT a coffee clatch. This is NOT even a gym class - to you, what is it NOT? that will allow you better to see what it is. And if you keep crossing off excess words, you have the room to "lift" it to this more sociological level.

Visiting the blog more often . . .

As I was sitting in class tonight, I remembered the comments made by the professor in the beginning of the quarter to "write everyday." Well, I've not been doing this, and I felt it tonight, or earlier today when I was trying to finish up last week's paper. It took about 30 minutes for me to get in to the groove of writing. It was like I looked at what I had to do before I did it, and thought that I would not be able to come up with anything. However, after getting warmed up, I was able to generate some ideas, and it actually started out to looked like a pretty good paper; much different than I originally thought. So, I need to keep on things, and stop psyching myself out. Unfortunately, I did not give myself enough time, and so I have to suffer another partial grade loss. That's okay. I guess this is how I'll learn.

Things to Count

((You can use some of these for your Paper # 4, too))

1. children tend to play with same sex (when both available)
2. do girls face each other and boys face out when talking / playing
3. do girls talk more about friends and share secrets more
4. are men more "disengaged"?
5. do boys tend to "top" each other and girls tend to "share sameness" and share secrets
6. do boys play in larger groups than girls play in
7. do boys define best friends by loyalty
8. who (is perceived as) giving orders more? who (tends to or is perceived to) follow orders more?
9. do mothers "understand" girls (way of speaking \) more than boys? do fathers "understand" sons better than their daughts?
10. do women walk away from certain conversations with a different message from what men walk away from (conversations over Valentine's Day dinner?)
11. asking directions: do men and women differ?
12. metamessages (Gregory Bateson) - does one sex/gender "read these" more than the other sex/gender?
13. when people do "troubles talk" does "the other" tend to offer a fix?
14. do "higer ranked" individuals make indirect comments regardless of sex - where rank is clear (as in the military)
15. NEW ERA: Do women who are more self-sufficient and not looking for a man to guide and protect them need affirmation less? ie., care they more like (traditional) men?
16. NEW ERA: do stay-at-home dads behave more like (traditional) women?
17. Who talks more, men or women? in what context? public speaking vs. private speaking
18. CURRENT: Who talks more in political discussions, discussions about politics and current events.
19. FIGHTS: Is it true that girls fight when they are really mad and boys fight for fun?
20. teasing: is this "style" reserved for boys? what happens when girls tease - or don't they?
21. when there is a fight - say a first fight - does the woman think "it's over" more than the man thinks that?
22. Nagging: who nags more? men or women
23. Does one person have to be the boss in a relationship? Who believes th is more - men or women? - your parent's generation or your generation?
24. does one sex generalize about the other more? which one? what implications?
25. do we see these conversational styles among well-known politicians of the two genders?
26. does one sex more than the other say "Aha, I see, ok" more when you explain one of these paradoxes of conversational style?

Paper #5

1. two variables: IV and DV
2. what is the question about them
3. what is the method? A. oral interview B. written survey C. engage in action and ask/observe D. observation ... or E. other research (e.g., content analysis)
4. beginning data gathering tool
5. recognize you will need at least one citation in addition to
Deborah Tannen "He Said, She Said: Gender, Language & Communication," Into the Classroom Media" n.d.

DUE: 1-2-3 night tonight- with your email. CAN STILL CHANGE. 1-2-3 (4) day Monday
this paper #5 due last day of class - unless you wish to develop it for final paper and desire feedback - then it must come in earlier.

Paper #4 everyone remember

2 (two) hardcopies next week - Wed (day) Thu (night)

hElP pLeasE!

okay so i didn't go to school on monday (Soc 301 Day), because of personal reasons. I was hoping someone could fill me in on what we did please.

1st person 2nd person 3rd person 4th person

does anyone know anymore on what 3rd person is. From my understanding, it's being able to speak in 1st person but knowing more information like a narrator. can someone clarify? and what is 4th person. Is that just an ominous voice?

Does anyone drive the 710 to school?

While on the 710 6:30 this morning traffic wasn't that bad getting closer to the 5 there was an accident ( I hope), It was a blue honda was hugging the barrier, an a semi blocking the two line to the right while hugging the blue honda and a female screaming her head off (for good reason) there was a human arm under the semi's right front tire, guts in the front, and what appears to be a head stuck in the grill. The driver of the semi seemed content like nothing happened as he was still seat in the drivers' seat of the semi.

Stuff to think about

zeitgeistmovie.com. I would recomend watching both of these free movies. Then post a review afterwards.

Dear Reggie Bush,
You suck. You now have a Super Bowl ring and have succeeded on the highest level of competition you'll ever play on. On contrary to popular belief, you actually contributed to the victory for the 2009-2010 Super Bowl. As a solid contributor in receiving yards and catches, and as the most effective running back on your team, I give you the Best Trojan in the Super Bowl Award. As incompetent as people try to make you feel, you can be rest assured that having the accolade as Best Trojan in the Super Bowl puts you among the ranks as other great players such as Lynn Swann, Ronnie Lott, and Troy Polamalu.

Super Bowl Sunday!

Enjoy the game! Rooting for the Saints!

I need help!

Ok so I wasn't in class on Thursday night over a family emergency and I need to know that is up with part 1 and 2 charon book review.

Thanks for the help!

Lifetime Movie Network

Lifetime Movie Network is very addicting and is sure to make you not get anything done when watching it. :(

Just a simple thought

There is nothing better than to relax home and watch I Love Lucy; Come rain or shine it always makes me smile

Paper # 4

Actually pretty excited to see what happens when I do this paper...putting myself out of my comfort zone will really open my eyes to what else is going on besides school and work!

Just a Thought...

How great it is to do nothing and then rest after.
(Ryan's quote of the day - Kiss FM)

Have a nice and rainy weekend!!!
Be safe!!!

I thought this was cool

NASA introduces the Robonaut 2.

I'm waiting for RoboMaid ala Rosie in The Jetsons.

anyone know about the title page?

is the title page supposed to be like paper 1&2? or is it supposed to be like sample paper 2 on sorenkirk.com (under paper #3)?

Page numbering or Paper #3

Does anyone know how to number the bottom of each page? I know it is suppose to go on the bottom right corner but I can not find it on my Office program. Does it automatically insert it for you?

oh! also....

if the journal on the data base has 3 or more authors do we still site all 3 of them on the reference page?

reference page

for our reference page, do we just put the authors in alphabetical order or do we put number before as well? also does anyone know how we should indent the reference page? because on the power point i noticed how the 2nd line is indented more then the 1st..how far is it?

just for laughter

extra help...

how do i convert the website source into a reference. so i just copy and paste the site page. please, ive been trying to figure it out and it doesnt work.

Little Comic Relief

Tango, Mike, Mike- The little-known story of a Mexican-American war hero

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ7968BbMnU

Evening Paper #3

Do not rely on your memory.  Check your notes and the resources.  Technical matters and technical requirements are to be completed precisely.

four dot ellipse!

A three-dot ellipsis indicates the omission of a word (or words), a phrase, or a dependent clause. A four-dot ellipsis indicates omission of an entire sentence or more. Ellipses are not used at the beginning or end of a quotation. Space ellipses correctly. Three-dot looks like . . . that, and four-dot looks similar. . . . http://www.mbbc.edu/page.aspx?m=1098

When you need a laugh

Academic Type Website

Is a school website an "academic type website?"

Mommie Dearest

Has anyone here ever seen the movie Mommie Dearest? Just saw it this weekend for the first time. Excellent acting by Faye Dunway. Really gives you an insight how some children were raised back in the 50's or earlier. How things have changed is incredible! Yes, there areparents who still abuse there children. But in this mvoie, it really gives you a glance at how life was back then. Great movie

Great Movie to watch while your sick lol

I might be a little out of date, but I think Gran Tarino is a great movie to watch. Awesome work by Clinton East wood.

Looking at life

I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!

Sneakerhead!

Its about 3:11 am rite now and im working on my paper... but before doing so i bought a pair of new kicks! haahhahaha so happy mayb that will motivate me to do a better paper. Nike Sb Pusheads!