Welcome to a new type of class...Sociology!

I hope the initial silent treatment during class day one didn't offend anyone into not taking Sociology! The point is, or was, that we are engaging in not just a class about sociology, but a study of sociology and, more important, becoming a sociologist. To become a sociologist you have to examine a lot about yourself and about the world around you in ways you may never have before. This is called a sociological imagination, the ability to ask why you (and others) think or behave the way you do, and to look for answers from how society has impacted you (or others).

For your first blog it would be great to read your thoughts about the first day of class, what you expected, what happened, and how/why you and others reacted the way you did. If you want to go a little bit further, what impact do you think my shaking hands with students has and why?

We also discussed the Stanley Milgram experiment from the 1960's about obedience and authority (also known as electrocuting strangers). I have to say that your honesty about being willing to inflict some pain on others was interesting to me....on one hand some of you were very realistic and honest about the fact that you would do so, on the other hand it scares me that the idea of electrocuting strangers was not seen as a very bad thing to do!?!? This experiment was recently reviewed and re-done by ABC news....you can see it here:


You could also post your thoughts on how the USA society creates people that are so obedient to authority? Are we doing that here at Stevenson in any ways?