Reflective Essay

It is like I have learned a new language from taking this course but without the concept of the sociological imagination, I would not have been able to do so. The sociological imagination is the ability to understand the dynamic relationship between individual lives and the larger society. It involves stepping outside of your own condition and looking at yourself from a new perspective. You employ the sociological imagination by asking yourself, “Who am I and why do I think the way I do?” In simpler terms, the sociological imagination is how a person sees a society in a completely different perspective. In order for me to understand Sociology 1125, I had to practice this concept. Learning this course is like learning a new sense, a new language and the only way to do so was to adapt the sociological imagination. I had to view everything in a different perspective, I had to see things not from my point of view but from someone else’s. For example, the first thing I thought about when I heard the word terrorism was the war in Iraq and that Osama Bin Laden and his followers were the bad people. But after looking from it in a different perspective, isn’t the United States just as bad when they retaliate and kill innocent people? Didn’t the US practice terrorism too when they invaded Iraq after 9/11? I am sure that people people of Iraq sees the Americans as terrorists just as we see the Iraqis as terrorists too. “Things are not what they seem” is one of the most significant concepts that I learnt in this course. It is like judging a book by its cover or making assumptions without knowing the fact. You can say that I was stereotypical about terrorism and racism but after this course, I see these 2 terms in a completely different way. I unlearned what I initially thought and assumed about terrorism and racism. The concept of the sociological imagination helped me do so and also enhanced my understanding for other concepts taught throughout the course such as debunking, obvious, hegemony, etc. I am comfortable in saying that I will carry the things with me that I have learnt in this course forever. It will be hard for me to judge and assume people. I have learnt to be more open minded and understanding rather than being stereotypical. Overall I have learnt to use my imagination to see society in a different way.

Illustration #1 Ethnocentrism

I read an article about the Superbowl and how the New England Patriots were in favour in winning the game against the New York Giants and how they thought they were the best team in the league. Immediately the concept of ethnocentrism came to my mind. In class we learned how ethnocentrism relates to some countries like the U.S. having the most largest and powerful army in the world, I just found it really interesting in how a sports team can be ethnocentric in a similar way. The Patriots thought that they had the best equipped team with the fastest, strongest, and most talented players. They  judged and compared the Giants to themselves, making them sound more superior than others. But in the end, the Patriots lost the game and now the Giants are being ethnocentric. I believe that ethnocentrism is natural when it comes to sports because of the competitive factor that comes with it.

Issues in Social Justice, Chapter 1

Chapter 1 : Religion and Homosexuality

Frank Tridico, Jacob Armstrong and David Barry

Paraphrast

I thought that this chapter was very interesting to me because I myself have been a Catholic since childhood. I went to a private school called  Our Lady of Good Counsel from Kindergarden until Grade 6 where I learned a lot about this religion and was exposed to its type of culture such as going to church every Friday, participating in the Lenten season, going to confession, and much more.

I was really shocked and surprised after reading this chapter. I never realised how much religion and homosexuality impacted the American culture. But it was more clear and easier for me to understand the chapter as I viewed everything from a sociological perspective. It is really eye opening how the practice of religion and political views of homosexuality affects each other and society. Even though religion and homosexuality has its negative effects on society but without these two factors, I believe that the society we live in today would be much, much different.

Issues in Social Justice, Chapter 3

Chapter 3 : Human Trafficking

Darrick Brake

Paraphrastic

Issues in Social Justice, Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Public Space and Criminal Justice

Charles E. Crawford

Affective

How do I feel about the reading?

What do I think about the reading?

What do I believe about the reading?

What do I know about the reading?

Global Sociological Imagination

I have never thought about how my life has been impacted by the actions and inactions of people outside of Canada and how my actions and inactions could have affected theirs. The thought of the concept, Global Sociological Imagination is actually really fascinating to me.

I think about the food I eat now, the clothes I wear, the laptop that I am using right now to type this blog entry, and everything else that I come in contact with on a daily bases. The actions and inactions of people all over the world brought these necessities to me which have impacted my life in all different ways.

The video “What Have my Cocoa Beans Got to Do with Canada” reminded me of what one of my old instructors said, “A swim instructor saves more lives than a lifeguard.” This means that the actions I took in teaching my students how to swim can save lives all over the world because those students may have taught others how to swim or become swimming instructors themselves later on.

 

 

Biography

Hello!

My name is Clarence Le and I am 19 years old. I am currently a full-time student in my second year here at Kwantlen Polytechnic University with a part-time job as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor at the Newton Wave Pool.

I am enrolled in the Marketing Management BBA Program and I chose this profession because I find it very interesting in how companies uses different strategies, the way consumers behave, and just marketing in general.  I was actually in the Entrepreneurial Leadership BBA Program in my first year but when I took my first marketing class which was Marketing 1199, I knew right away that it was what I wanted to do, something in the marketing field.

I chose to take Sociology not only because I needed an elective but because it looked highly appealing to me, I thought it was very interesting, and that I could gain a lot from this course. Before I took this course, I had a very little understanding of what Sociology means but within the first week into the class, my views and perspective on everything has changed dramatically. I still have a lot to learn about this concept and can’t wait to see what this course has to offer!

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