SOC 200 2/10

Date Mentioned: The instructor will be available on Sunday for office hours but will be in meetings most of the day.
Existence of Classes: No classes will be held on that day.
Communication Recommendation: Students are encouraged to email the instructor throughout the week as they will be on campus but not necessarily in the office.

Initial Steps: Applicants must fill out all necessary information and submit it into a designated mailbox.
Follow-Up: After submission, the department will contact applicants to set up an appointment.
Required Documents: Applicants typically must provide a copy of their driver’s license and social security information, which can be a lengthy process, resembling a full-time job.

Visa Process Overview: Obtaining visas can be a lengthy and complicated process, exemplified by a friend's experience in which it took four years to acquire a visa despite being a U.S. resident.
Current Issues: Changes regarding visa issuance, such as Australia limiting visas to the U.S., and increased security measures related to travel warnings from foreign nations regarding safety concerns in the U.S.
Personal Perspective: Discussion on the implications of crises in one’s country leading one to consider relocating.

Review of Previous Topics: A review of key topics from week four leading into week five.
Upcoming Assignment:
- Due Date: A real-world analysis assignment is due on the 15th (specific month not mentioned).
- Assignment Instructions: Students must observe interactions in a public place and relate them to concepts discussed in class.
- Observation Requirements: At least five separate observations are necessary. They can occur at the same location rather than multiple locations.
- Potential Observational Settings: Sporting events, concerts, or simply observing children at local parks.

Second Shift: Definition and Implications
- Definition: The term "second shift" refers to domestic responsibilities such as housework that women typically take on after their professional workday is complete.
- Discussion Points: Acknowledgment of how societal norms have shifted, with less expectation for women to fulfill all domestic duties due to changing roles in the workplace and influences from feminist movements.
- Statistical Insight: Changes in gender roles have reduced expectations for domestic work over generations.
Factors Influencing Changes in Domestic Expectations:
- Rise of two-income households leading to an equal distribution of domestic chores.
- Economic factors, including the high cost of raising children ($1,200,000 for one child from birth to age 18).
Growth of Diverse Family Structures: Acknowledgement of same-sex relationships and variations in gender norms which challenge traditional heterosexual family dynamics.

Historical Context on Disability:
- Earlier views of disability emphasized physical limitations; however, the definition has evolved to include mental health and intellectual disabilities such as autism and PTSD.
Personal Stories: Sharing personal anecdotes about individuals with disabilities and the social perception of those disabilities.
- Example of ALS Experience: Sharing how the treatment of a brother-in-law with ALS changed as his disability became more apparent.
- Social Stereotyping: The dual perception of disabled individuals: seen as inspiring yet sometimes viewed as burdens on society.
Categorizing Disabilities: Overview of conditions recognized by the Social Security Administration that qualify for disability benefits, including mental health disorders.
Challenges in Disability Recognition: Difficulty to prove severity for benefits, common experiences of denial, and the long bureaucratic process involved in applying for disability.

Sociological Perspective on Engagement:
- How we interact with each other and the rules governing these interactions.
- Importance of having a shared understanding of societal norms to facilitate communication.
Dramaturgy Theory: Introduced by Erving Goffman which suggests life is a performance with front stage (public persona) and backstage (private self) elements.
Folklore and Social Norms: Discussion on informal social rules and their moral significance, categorized into folkways, mores, and taboos:
- Folkways: Loosely enforced norms (e.g., rest your arms properly at the dinner table).
- Mores: Morally significant norms (e.g., cheating in a relationship).
- Taboos: Serious violations (e.g., murder or cannibalism).

Concept of Intersectionality: Defined by Kimberly Crenshaw, intersectionality explores how multiple identities (gender, race, sexuality, education, abilities) shape experiences and discrimination.
Example Highlighted: The General Motors lawsuit demonstrating how discrimination against Black women can occur even in systems recognizing women and Black people generally without addressing their unique experiences.
Prejudice Defined: Prejudice manifests in various forms, and can lead to discriminatory practices in societies, particularly affecting marginalized communities.
- Case Examples: Attacks against Asian communities during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of xenophobic attitudes.

Social Interaction Takeaways: The importance of understanding not only the rules but also the exceptions and variations in different cultures.
Encouragement of Breaking Social Norms: Encouraged students to think critically about societal rules and the impact of breaking them.
- Examples of individuals or groups that have pushed back against established norms and how those pushbacks have led to larger conversations or movements.
Closing Remarks: Students were directed to submit assignments and reminded of the importance of utilizing their front stage and backstage selves in both educational and personal environments.