Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Google Docs Shared Folder

After pondering the most efficient work flow, I have settled on Google Docs. For this to be effective, I need you to share a folder with me (askmrdavis@gmail.com). This folder will be the place where you will drop and store your course documents. I can then comment on them without the need for you to email or upload your work. Please pay close attention to the following:

Naming - I would like you to name this folder in a particular way:
Last name, first name Soc # (period)

Organization - Within this shared folder, you should create and name sub folders based on each unit. All of your work should find its way into a sub folder.

Sharing - Share the general folder with me and provide me with editing privileges. Everything in that folder (including sub folders) will then be shared with me.

Sociological Theoretical Paradigms Project

Sociological Theoretical Paradigms Project

Because the three sociological paradigms are so crucial to your understanding of sociology for the entirety of this school year, I want you to create a product that will help you to remember these paradigms and could be helpful in others learning what these paradigms are.

HERE is the project explanation.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Respond to Soc Forum (on Focus) and Make 3 Brilliant Observations (Google Doc)

For Tuesday, 3 September, be sure to:
  • Post to the Soc Forum on Focus
    • Then respond to two of your peers
    • All of your responses need to be substantive and thoughtful
  • While you enjoy your long weekend, practice the Sociological Perspective and log three observations on your Google Doc (that you previously shared with me)

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Active Sociology Proposals

I would really like to see us engage in not only the theoretical exploration of sociology but actively engage with sociological thinking throughout the year. To this end, your task with your group is to come up with at least one proposal of how you can tangibly do sociology - by serving others. In some ways your proposal should be bold and aggressively address a societal problem (big or small, local or global) via a practical and tangible outworking.

Therefore, you need to come up with the general plan and incorporate the following components:
  • A title
  • A mission statement (including your goal)
  • An action plan
    • Specific initial steps
    • Goal(s) for the future
  • A sales pitch - why should others get involved
These elements, upon completion should then be uploaded to a Google Doc and shared with me.

Monday, August 26, 2013

The Challenge of Jesus's Words

Team Soc,
I was thinking about the Global Reading assignment and was also listening to your responses (So fun! So thoughtful!) and it drove me to the Gospels. How does Jesus respond to this? Is everything equitable when Jesus walked the earth? How does he respond to the inequity?
Luke 12 came to mind right away. Read it. Sometimes we think of Jesus's words being so soft and squishy, but they are far from that here. In fact, they are hard and difficult.
Based on this Gospel reading, what do you think Jesus would say to us in relationship to the Global Village?

Friday, August 23, 2013

Observations Galoure!

Team Soc,

As I was thinking about our sociological observations, I hit upon an idea:
 - What if all of your observations were kept in one place?
 - What if you could just add to the same list each week?
 - What if you could share with me your observations without needing to email them, upload them, or pass them in?
The answer to these questions comes in the form of Google Docs.

What I would like you to do is create a Google Doc and share it with me so I can read your brilliant insights. Very importantly, I want you to name it in such a way to make it easier for me to organize it. This is the format I would like you to use: Last name, First name, SOC OBSERVE, Per [1 or 3].

We will go through this in class together.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Test Run for Soc Forum

Team MVSOC,
I am going to try something new and see if it works. Historically, I have had my soc students respond to a question I post via an online forum in order to stimulate conversation. This is still the case. However, I want to try doing this in a video format instead of just the traditional written format. Try this out with me.
Here is the link: http://flipgrid.com/#317fd0ed
You will need a password that I will give you in class. Once you enter the password, you will be able to respond to the forum question. Since this is password protected, this is meant for only the students in my soc classes.
I am excited for you to try this and for us to see if this will be beneficial.
Please respond to the forum by Monday's class (26 August).

*UPDATE* If you struggle for some reason to post to flipgrid, please respond to the forum on Focus (found at the top of the course page).