Reflecting on Learning
Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu (2010) said that social sciences are a kind
of martial art, a means of self-defense. At this point in the course,
you have had some time to reflect on the ways in which social sciences
can assist you in critical analysis of social institutions.
Social sciences can help you make financial decisions. Through your
assignments centering on advertisements, you identified the ways in
which advertisers attempt to appeal to your cognitive biases, your
cultural belief systems, and gender/race/class norms to encourage you to
buy the product. You have had opportunities to explore what being a
member of a consumerist culture means for your budget and your
psychological well-being. Now, when you view advertisements, you can ask
yourself how the advertisement might be manipulating you, and you may
think twice before buying the product.
Social sciences can also
help you recover your sense of physical self-worth. You studied the
ways in which cultures across the globe influence people’s ideals of
beauty and literally shape the bodies of the people of that culture. By
scrutinizing beauty norms throughout the world, we can also investigate
our own culture’s unattainable body ideals, a process that can empower
us against the negative thoughts that many of us have when we look in
the mirror.
Social sciences can help you ask meaningful
questions about your place in your culture and society. In this course,
you have examined the ways in which research questions are developed.
You may have noticed that it is not easy or automatic to ask good
questions of our society and culture. In doing this work, you can
identify better ways to solve problems in your workplace, your schools,
your relationships and families, and even your government systems.
Reference
Bourdieu, P. (2010). Sociology is a martial art: Political writings by Pierre Bourdieu. Paris, France: The New Press.
Answer PreviewIn the course, we have been able to also view how social sciences play a big part in helping students understand diversity. Since issues of gender, race and sexual orientation have existed in the society, it is important for people to understand those people that are different from them. Social sciences have helped us understand those people…
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