Overview
Answer Each Unit Discussion in at least 15 lines each. Please avoid any jargon words and ensure proper grammar
UNIT 1: For our first discussion topic, I’ll like for you to think of yourself as an individual AND a member of society. What makes you an “individual?” Do you have characteristics that you consider to be unique to you; that identify you as “different” from others? On the other hand, what makes you a member of “society?” What are the characteristics that you share with all or some of the people around you? Talk amongst yourselves…
UNIT 2: In this week’s readings, you’re exposed to some ideas about how biological factors influence the creation of the individual.
Look at the video by Stanford professor Robert Sapolsky: Introduction to Human Behavioral BiologyLinks to an external site. (URL)
He talks of "temporary platforms" that scientists use to explain human behavior.
What are the platforms (or "buckets") that he talks about? He gives many examples of how our individual behavior is shaped by our biological dimension. Sometimes he reminds us of our animal nature to make his point. What is your favorite example? Why?
UNIT 3:We are all creatures of Modernity. Every moment of every day of our lives is lived in a world dominated by the characteristics of modern society. Not all societies in the world are modern but, we’ll see in future readings how even the most traditional society is confronting the forces of Modernity as defined by the Western European experience. Even in our society, some traditions that are pre-modern persist. After reading this week’s assignments, consider your life and the life of your family. What are some of the traditions or behaviors that you continue to practice that trace their origins to some “pre-modern” system of social organization? Do you have old family remedies/beliefs, etc. that still guide your behaviors even when confronted with “modern” reality? How has “modernity” changed some of the elements of these traditions? Discuss…
UNIT 4:This week's readings offer a different view of individualism in our society. For the first time in history, an individual can be extremely social while remaining physically "isolated" from others. Do you spend much time communicating with others on-line? Do you know all of your on-line friends...err...personally? Like in protoplasmic form? Do you think that this has an impact on you and your idea of what a "friend" is? How does your "on-line" persona differ from your "real life" self? Discuss any differences that you perceive between your online and real self... If you don't spend any time online, tell me how you THINK this might have an impact on individuals....
UNIT 5:The major religions of the world came into existence hundreds of years ago. While in most ways we don't behave like individuals living hundreds or thousands of years ago, many of us still shape much of our lives using the guidelines set forth by ancient religions. What do you think makes religion an apparently permanent dimension of human life? Can religious beliefs survive in the scientific age? Are they resoundingly outdated? Or, is there something in them of great importance, even if the way they are expressed will have to change given new scientific context?
UNIT 6:In this week’s readings, questions about the nature of love and marriage are raised. The legitimacy of same sex marriages as well as the changing nature of the American family are topics that policy makers and moralists are discussing just about everywhere. Indeed, many feel that even considering the legalization of same sex-marriages is a symptom of the changing meaning of family in America. What do you think about same-sex marriage? Why do you feel this way?