Academic Expo 2/25

- Who can take Sociology at TA?

• Juniors and Seniors

- What is sociology?

• Sociology is the systematic and scientific study of human social life. Sociologists study people as they form groups and interact with one another.

- What will I learn about in Sociology class at TA?

- What are the major topics of study?

I. The Sociological Perspective and Imagination

• What is sociology and how do sociologists study humans and their social interactions? 
• How do sociologists “think?”
• How does one develop a sociological imagination?
• Why is a sociological imagination necessary to understand the lives of other people?

II. Socialization, Culture and Social Institutions

• How do people learn the rules of society? How do people learn “their culture?”
• How are people taught to be members of a group?
• How/why are people organized into categories or groups?

 III. Gender and Sexual Violence

• What is the difference between sex and gender?
• What is a gender binary and how does this effect the way people understand themselves and interact with others?
• How are people taught to perform gender roles?
• How do our society’s views on sex and gender contribute to sexual violence?
• What effect does gender based violence have on people in America?

 IV. Drug Use in America and the War on Drugs

• What is the extent of drug use and abuse in America?
• What effect do drugs have on American society?
• Is drug abuse a criminal problem or health issue?
• How do the American government and law enforcement attempt to fight drug abuse? Have they been successful?
• What effect does the war on drugs have on people in America?
• How do countries throughout the world attempt to combat drug use and abuse? Have they been successful?

 V. Race, Ethnicity and Prejudice

• What is race? Is it real?
• How is race socially constructed?
• What effects do racial categories have on people in America?
• How does race provide privileges for some and disadvantages for others?

 VI. The Internet and Social Media

• How have the Internet, social media, and digital technology revolutionized the way people interact, communicate, form relationships, fight wars and learn?
• How has the Internet changed the way people are socialized?
• In what ways has the Internet positively affected society?
• In what ways has the Internet negatively affected society?

- How can society effect our lives?

• How do the "categories" others place you in effect your future? Read this short article about the effect of categories on our individual lives.
• Can your expectations for blind people effect their ability to see? Listen to this podcast about the effect of societal expectations on our individual lives.
• Are terrorists born or made? Watch this short video about how ISIS grooms young children to be the terrorists of the future.

6. Any questions about Sociology? Feel free to email Mr. Parise at brandon.parise@thorntonacademy.org.