DISCUSSION PROMPT
When we think about recognizing and explaining social change, a good place to start is to analyze major events that have changed and will continue to change. For instance, from the population facts video this week, it is clear that our population continues to grow overall, but the author puts into perspective how technology and progress play a large role in different countries’ population rates.
To gain perspective before writing your discussions this week, talk to someone you know (family member/friend/colleague) who is at least around 60-65 years or older and ask them the following questions (if you are around that age, try to find someone who is around 80 or older):
- What major events happened in the world while they were growing up? (What tends to stand out the most?)
- What do they see as the biggest changes that have occurred over their lifetime?
- What changes do they foresee happening in the future?
- Any other questions that you find relevant during your conversation.
Reflect on your own answers to these questions as well and compare/contrast your own experiences with theirs.
On writing your initial post:
Briefly introduce yourself to the group so we can get to know you a bit (where you are from, your major, career plans, etc).
Report on your family member/friend/colleague’s narrative. What generation are they in, and what are some major life events that affected them? Where do they see changes happening in the future? Do their answers lend themselves more to an evolutionary functionalist perspective or a conflict theory perspective? Explain.
Now think about your own narrative that you reflected on and how it compares to the other person’s. What is similar/different and what connections can you make to the course materials?
When you think about social change, are you more likely to think about progress or tension? Provide an example of your perspective using ideas from the required readings and lectures to back it up.
Think about an opposing viewpoint – which ideas do you tend to not agree with more at this point (is there one?), and what is a current example that fits with the framework?
300 words or more