Course Description

     Sociology emphasizes the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology, including culture, socialization, interaction, social groups and stratification, effects of population growth, and technology in society and social institutions.

Sociology Essay

            The following quote, “I am the sculptor and I am the clay” can be related directly to Socialization; the lifelong social experience by which people develop their human potential and learn culture.  Take for example the relationship between a new pre- school teacher and her students.  The teacher socializes the students into the role of pupils, and the students socialize the teacher into the role as an instructor.  They both are sculptors and clay at the same time.

            The teacher in this scenario is an agent of socialization for the children. Through their teacher, the children will be socialized to knowledge and skills they will need for their later life. They will also be exposed to a greater social diversity.  According to Mead, the young students will gain social experience from the teacher by imitating her role at playtime, and she will also help them gain the perception of how others generally see them; the generalized other.  The teacher will also reinforce ideas taught to them at home about their gender roles.  She will also socialize her students informally by a hidden curriculum. The games that will go on in the classroom will teach the children how society is divided into winners and losers. This also socializes them to cooperation and competition.

            Before the teacher even met her class, she was already undergoing socialization. While attending college to get certified, she was learning skills and methods that would help her achieve her desired position as a teacher; this is called anticipatory socialization.  From the second she meets her class they start to socialize her into a mentor.  They will teach her responsibility and more importantly, pertinence.  The students will socialize the teacher to their individual needs and learning styles as well.

            The quote “I am the sculptor and I am the clay” ultimately means you are changing someone and they are changing you.  In this case, the teacher is socializing her students to the cultural norms of their particular society and the students in return are socializing her to the means and expectations of being an instructor.

Reflection

     I felt this was my best essay. I felt I deserved a 10/10 on this essay, but I only received a 7/10.  The only thing she had marked wrong on my paper was "citation?”  The reason I did not cite anything in my paper was because all of the statements that were not of my own was what I thought considered "common knowledge".   I was very disappointed at the grade I received. I think that I benefited from this class because it has taught me a great lesson, and that is how sometimes you have to give it more than just your best to succeed or get the “10/10” in some classes.