SOC101: A Discussion Prompt (2023)
Nomita Yadav
The following is a discussion prompt that I use in my SOC&101 Introduction to Sociology class.
Introduction
Unearned advantages are those that someone receives by identifying with or being born into a specific group. It is important to note that the groups who have received these advantages have not earned them due to their own hard work but rather their affiliation. Equally important to note is the reality that while some benefit from unearned advantages, others are victims of unearned disadvantages.
Privilege exists when one group has something of value that is denied to others simply because of group membership and not based on what a person or group has done or failed to do. For those who routinely benefit from privilege, the challenge is to not quickly deny its existence. It is important to recognize that privilege is a part of the reality that helps some while it impedes others’ experiences.
Purpose
- Differentiate between open and closed stratification systems
- Define a majority group (dominant group)
- Define a minority group (subordinate group)
- Identify examples of a culture of prejudice
- Explain the difference between stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and -isms
- Explain different intergroup relations in terms of their relative levels of tolerance
- Identify different types of discrimination
- Compare and contrast the different experiences of various social groups in the United States
(Conerly et al, 2021)
Tasks
Watch the following Ted Talk by Susan E. Borrego who reflects on her life as an emancipated minor and dissects the emotionally charged conversation surrounding race relations in the United States. This raconteur uses her powerful first-person account of “White Privilege” and “Black Lives Matter” to understand the responsibility each one of us has to bring about change.
(Borrego, 2016)
Then, answer the following questions: Identify a person who you know personally (can include yourself) and:
- Describe all of their statuses: ascribed (example: sex) and achieved (example: professor).
- Using specific examples, discuss ways in which ascribed and achieved statuses overlap/ do not overlap (example: female and woman).
- Using specific examples, discuss ways in which normative statuses do not overlap (example: woman and woman of color).
- Describe at least two situations in which a particular “social identity” category of the person is more salient (important) than any of the others (example: woman)
- Describe a situation in which the person’s social identities makes the situation conflicted or uncomfortable, for the person and for other people (example: violence against women).
- Explain why you would argue that the situation is not personal but socially defined (example: patriarchy). Give one supporting evidence from a scholarly source (add in-text citation and reference in APA). You may also provide some supporting data from a reliable source (any source ending in .gov/.edu/.org)
- Lastly, reply to 2 peer postings. Suggested response, draw parallels and differences between your social problem and that proposed by your peer. Next, check if the information supporting their argument is from a scholarly source. If not, direct them to one.
General Criteria for Success
You will be successful in this activity if you can:
Part A
- Provide an answer to all of the questions with descriptions that are clear to another reader
- This is due by Friday (11: 59 pm)
- Suggested word count is 300 words. Kindly put the word count at the bottom of the posting
- Posting must be supported by scholarly evidence in APA format. Please include in-text citations and complete references at the bottom of the posting. Your scholarly evidence can include your textbook. A good resource on APA citation is https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.html
Part B
You have to respond to 2 peer postings by Sunday (11:59 pm). Suggested word count: 150 words
References
Borrego, S. (2016, December 16). Understanding My Privilege.[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlRxqC0Sze4&feature=emb_title
Conerly, T. R., Holmes, K., & Tamang, A. L. (2021). Introduction to Sociology 3e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/1-introduction