Assignment Question
To successfully complete this assignment you need to have read the linked articles, specifically examining the procon.org that summarizes the debate about climate change, and reviewed the materials on the environment.
LINKS:
- https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-introductiontosociology/chapter/why-it-matters-social-movements-media-and-technology/
- https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-introductiontosociology/chapter/introduction-to-collective-behavior/
- https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-introductiontosociology/chapter/collective-behavior/
- https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-introductiontosociology/chapter/levels-of-social-movements/ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-introductiontosociology/chapter/introduction-to-types-of-social-movements/
- https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-introductiontosociology/chapter/types-and-stages-of-social-movements/
- https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-introductiontosociology/chapter/theoretical-perspectives-on-social-movements/
- https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-introductiontosociology/chapter/causes-of-social-change/ PROCON ARTICLE:
- https://climatechange.procon.org/#arguments
Part I Main question:
How does/has the environmental movement inspire(d) social change Our last module discusses social movements and how social movements, through collective behavior, can inspire or inhibit social change.
*In lieu of a final exam to end the course, I’d like you to write a course summary (at minimum 300 words). Your summary should: use items presented on the resource page (there are required items and some optional ones), specifically the procon.org debate on climate change *focus on how the environmental movement has inspired social change (I describe ways to think about this in the example below). *include as many concepts from the course that you can remember and logically fit into your paper (the example below gives you specific ways to use some of the major concepts).
*Look for at least three concepts Examples and Ideas to think about for your summary(remember you don’t have to answer all of them, they are here to help you think things through. Focus on what’s important to you) *When discussing climate change here’s what you may want to think about (you don’t have to focus on climate change, I’m just using it for the example I’m providing). *what are the main climate change arguments (pros and cons) *how might these arguments have, or could have, an effect on social change (examining the changes in how cars are produced to save gas mileage could fit here). *Include something about collective behavior in your discussion of the environmental movement, i.e. what things do we do as a “collective” or do they try to encourage (recycle, reusable cups instead of plastic water bottles, bringing our own shopping bags, buying electric cars, etc.) *How do the theories about social movements and collective behavior play into this? There is information about the theories on the resource page. *Who has something to gain, and who has something to lose, on any of the points, (i.e. the, is coal burning good for the planet argument, who does that benefit? Who does it hurt?). This is true of the framing of any social problem according to social construction theory. *Collective behavior is about how we do things because we are influenced by other people and issues. If we recycle why do we do it? Is it because we really believe it will help, or because “everyone” else does it? We know the issue surrounding climate change is political, but can we see a clear view about climate change presented by one side, and the other view by the other side, or is it mixed up? *Use the skills you have learned in this class to reason out the issues and see what you THINK about the issue of climate change, not just what you FEEL about it. Always try to make the distinction to think for yourself rather than just blindly following someone else’s agenda. *think about other forms of collective behavior identified throughout the course (riots, rumor, fashion, fads). All of these can be tied to everything we’ve learned so far.
*Some easy concepts to add in: *socialization – does care for the environment depend on how we were raised? (i.e. children raised by parents that are already invested in saving the planet will teach their children different things than parents who don’t believe, or who are affected by things like working for a gas company or coal mine).
*Culture – does it depend on where we live? Are some countries more likely to take care of the environment than others? What are some of the reasons there are differences?
*Deviance – do people refuse to recycle just to be different?
*These are just suggestions for how to think about the course and see how much of our life is influenced by our society through the lens of this one social movement.
Part II With respect to collective behavior, how does it influence us everyday. I mean, how many of us really have a Facebook (substitute Instagram, Twitter, etc.) account because, well, everyone else does! Or, was this something you wanted for yourself, if so please share the reasons behind this. Use this post to tell me one thing you took away from the course that you think will stay with you in your life. This assignment will be graded by how well you reasoned through your arguments. Did you provide examples, evidence, or at least explain how you came by whatever knowledge you are asserting. How many concepts from the course you manage to bring into it, I generally look for at least 3 or 4.
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