Sumblog 3: Clearer Mirror

Sociologist Charles Cooley presents an interesting theory of how humans understand themselves. It states that there is a looking glass in which we see ourselves and it is made up of how others view us. In addition, there is the "me" aspect which is how one understands themselves through interactions and with the assistance of the outside world. Then there is the "I" aspect which is only includes how our brain perceives us. This was something I had never contemplated before but I knew the perceptions of who we are, are influenced by the people surrounding us. I have also said many times before knowing this theory that the majority of our actions are based on how we believe others perceive us.

Everyone has both ascribed and achieved aspects about them that make them who they are. I think a major question many sociologists desire to know when studying is how much the ascribed traits affect the achieved. In the video I included with my blog, it explores how people see themselves physically. Even though this is only one part of our identity I think it offers good perspective. It shows us that how we see ourselves is not always accurate. It also offers intriguing thoughts as one of the women who went through the experiment states that how we see ourselves can influence the kind of people we hang out with, the jobs we apply for, and the way we raise our children. It starts with an inward reflection that radiates outward to everyone else around.

Looking at self is the basis level for sociology and then we can start to look at social groups, nations, and global interactions. The globe holds so many people but if you think about it, it is about each individual. It is about each individual's choice, action, communication, and relation. Each one of those elements can be affected by how someone views who they are through the looking glass. One part is all decided by only you, yourself, and I but the best part is that the people around us help to build our identity too. Many say we are our worse critics, so maybe we should start thinking of the people around us as our best advocates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lkZmR1hDNU

Sumblog 2: Interwoven Cultures with Individual Threads

As we began to analyze globalization and hone in on how we look at cultures we see the importance in identifying how it is occurring. Are we becoming one big glob of beings on this Earth and experiencing life in the same manner like homogenizing? Or is it more about each individual from each nation bringing something new to the table and seeing how we are supposed to live in a different life like heterogenatity?
Originally thinking about this I instantly wanted to think that we are all becoming one. That the ideas, restaurants, fashions, traditions, and beliefs are all slowly altering into the same western pattern. Then I truly encouraged myself to look beyond just this nation. The globe encompasses so much more than my ideas or even the ideas of my American next door neighbor. We both carry unique backgrounds and hold a plethora of nationalities within ourselves. I do believe the world and many people in it enjoy preserving their heritage. Even though there are some that grow lazy to the idea of keeping up with traditions, I feel a vast majority of nations do not. Opening your eyes to the all of the194 countries that dwell within this planet. I have learned in a previous class that certain cities in Canada are holding legislation to keep French in the public schools and on their street signs. I know in my experience in studying abroad in Spain the rich history in the streets and museums along with the traditional food specific to Spain are what make it thrive. And that barely touches the surface. Being different is a beautiful thing and as humans I believe we are drawn to it. Life is not just the USA...
in Wisconsin...
in Stevens Point...
at a university...
While each of those aspects can be impacted by globalization, there is an entire globe out there that is changing but the humans in it are still grounded in their intrinsic, distinct, and cultural roots. And many of them enjoy sharing the elements that make them grow. In the article I attached, it explains how Latinos are living in the United States but are loving the culture they came from and embracing it just as much here as in their homeland. Some of those ties being their music, food, and strong families. It goes through different people's point of views on what they feel is important to keep from their culture. Although challenging, I believe trying to understand diversity with a cultural relativistic approach encourages others to open up more and dive into globalization beyond an economic stand point.

Article(It includes a slideshow of pictures) -->http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/15/preserve-hispanic-cultural-traits_n_965340.html#s363163&title=Strength_Of_Family

SumBlog 1: ¿Hablas Inglés?

Sociology may be defined in many unique ways but in class we discussed it being the scientific study of human interactions in a given environment. There are many other elements that can be added to this definition but when looking at global sociology we must open up our eyes to a much broader horizon. Instead of only looking on the local level or national level we must incorporate all the cultures in the world. It is every tradition, moral, belief, value and language. Language holds so much more than words. It is part of an individual and allows free expression. In order to achieve global sociology do we need to unify the language or exude joy over the variety?  In the article, Challenges for a Global Sociology by Michael Burawoy, it states that even though the conference was held in Taiwan, they primarily spoke in English. Burawoy explained a thought many Americans and other English speakers take for granted. It is not easy to portray your exact thoughts or analysis on a community or type of people when English is not your mother tongue. This concept instantly upset me because as a Spanish major I believe it is crucial to learn another language beyond your own. When considering global sociology however, it holds more depth. How does one pass along information from continent to continent if there is not some kind of solid communication? In an addition article by Alison Kuiper, she mentions how students in Southeast Asia think almost all of international professional interactions must occur in English. This includes conferences, emails, and phone conversations. Success in this part of the world is seen only through the eyes of the worker who can speak English. The primary language of English is not only present in sociology but also in general business as seen in this article. Even though it is not the language all people speak at home, they know the importance of being able to use it. How do we move forward as one world and learn about others on a sociological scale while preserving numerous cultures?
Do you have the answer?
Tienes la respuesta?
Vous avez la réponse?
Koj muaj lo lus teb?
هل لديك الجواب


Article referenced in blog ---> http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=bdb2cb4a-c2ae-48cb-aa01-5f993d38761d%40sessionmgr15&vid=7&hid=11