Week 3 Blog Post Response

Initially, it was difficult at first to decide on a familiar cultural object with significance that was not technology based (such as cell phones, laptops, etc.) because I wanted to choose a cultural object in the sense that had a universal meaning and relevant history.

So I decided to choose two cultural objects: one more personal/individual based, and one universal. The objects I chose were a wristwatch/clock (personal), and a street or traffic sign (universal). I felt these objects both conveyed symbols of our culture as a society not only from the two aspects of individual or universal, but represented ideals that could translate across cultures as well.

For instance, a wristwatch or clock most typically represents the importance of time, and how as a culture the importance of a scheduled, structured day, being punctual, paid for time, management of time etc. is very much valued and encouraged. In the old days, time was measured by sundials and hourglasses, which suggests the shift or change in time from being more controlled by nature (although one may argue time was created as a unit of measurement)in the positioning of the sun for the time of day, to the digital or solar power clocks and watches we utilize today. Time can also represent individuality in the style of watch we choose (analog vs. digital) and now we all have synchronized times on our cell phones and tech devices, back in the day people had to rely on their own time.

Secondly, taking the bus on my way home from school I decided to take the opportunity to try to notice other possible significant cultural objects around me that could translate universally, At and as I looked out the window, I spotted a street sign. At first I thought, this is definitely a cultural object used throughout the country and the world, and yet remains some what unique. For example, there are those wordless universal traffic signs with pedestrians or bicycles, and then there are street signs. As a culture we are always looking for direction or the right place to go. No one wants to take a wrong turn and end up lost (this may be a waste of time, connected to the importance of punctuality for the first object). In other words street and traffic signs help us to get to where we want to go, provide information, and tells us where and how to get there, all valued traits in our society to know "where one is going" in life. (As ambling without a clue is looked down upon, and may upset other drivers as well...).

In conclusion, these two objects both representing different aspects of our society are connected in the sense that street signs tell us where were going and how to get there, whereas watches/clocks tell us what time to do so. This contributes to the structure of society, doing what were told, and being directed as a society driven by time and places, with constantly some where to go.

Week 2 Blog Post Response

First of all, one of the more relevant indexes in society today, particularly affecting students are those involving education.

For example, the index of the cost of tuition at a four-year institution. These prices can be seen as the price "worth paying" for the quality of value of education at a four-year university.

More specifically, the ideals associated with the cost the education, in turn may signify to a potential employer the worth of a persons skills or knowledge based on where they have acquired and education (a four-year prestigious institution vs. a state university).

An education from a CSUas cheaper and more accessable, may be viewed differently than say a private college or even UC's, due to the amount of work and preparation assumed to be involved in reaching these institutions of higher learning.

A second education related index in society may be the level of education or degree a person acquires.

Typically, the higher the level of educational degree the more knowlege, and intelectual capabilites we assign to the said person (and along with it compensation such as higher income/wages, job opportunies etc).

Therefore, a persons level of education or degree is seen of viewed as an index of one's knowledge, intelligence, skill level, or mastery of a subject. This assuption may lead and contrubute to the belif of a one with a PH.D may be more likely to contribute to society greater than a person with a high school diploma, although, depending on examining the context or environment this may not always be the case.

Hello Fellow Honors Students!!

Hello fellow honors students!!!

My name is Leesa, and I am a fellow classmate/honors student in your Intro to Sociology course. I am a Sociology major :) attending De Anza through the Middle College Program (which technically means I'm still in high school), and I will be graduating in June.

This is my first blog :0 (no I do not have a myspace, facebook or twitter mytwitface etc.), and I am ready and willing to share my thoughts and insights with you.

I am also very excited to be in this class with all of you, and look forward to learning so much this quarter!!