Agenda for 2/6

1. Reviewing the three concepts of the "Sociological Imagination."
A. Looking below the waterline of visibility (to see the rest of the iceberg) - put in your own words 

• This is Water" by David Foster Wallace

• How do the ideas in this excerpt connect to the concept of the "Sociological Imagination." Think about the iceberg and the waterline of visibility.

B. Seeing the strange in the familiar - put in your own words

• Example: Gun ownership in America
  • The effect the lives of Americans?
  • Need more evidence? 
    

C. Seeing the general in the particulat - put in your own words 

• What did the particular Disney as say about our society, in general?

2. Using our Sociological Imagination to examine American football

A. Reactions from the end of the "most watched" Super Bowl in history. The popularity (and profitability) of the NFL has never been higher.

B. Football culture and kids ("American Football" - Radiolab excerpt. Listen from 0:45:00-1:05:00)

• Study of Retirees Links Youth Football to Brain Problems
• A football parent's worst nightmare?
• Head injuries in the NFL
• CTE in the NFL 
• Brain Trauma to Affect One in Three Players, N.F.L. Agrees

 
HW: 

1. Assignment #1 (eBackpack) - Due: 2/10  


1. What is the main point of Wallace's "This is Water" speech?



2. What is the connection between his words and the "Sociological Imagination?" Respond a 1/2 page paragraph (typed).  

Below are excerpts from the speech to help you think about the question.

• "The only thing that's capital 'T' True is that you get to decide how you're going to try to see it. This, I submit, is the freedom of real education, of how to be well-adjusted. You get to decide what has meaning and what doesn't. That is real freedom. That is being educated and understanding how to think. The alternative is unconsciousness."

• “Learning how to think" really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience. Because if you cannot or will not exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed.”

2. Prepare for quiz on the concept of the Sociological Imagination. 

• You will need to be able to explain the meaning of the three concepts of the Sociological Imagination.
• The quiz will be next class (Tuesday 2/10)