Table of Contents
This week’s agenda
Understand how the four main agents of socialization contribute to social reproduction.
Learn the stages of the life course, and see the similarities and differences among cultures.
Reading
Textbook
- Section 4.1. The importance of socialization. In: Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Open Textbooks. https://doi.org/10.24926/8668.2401
- Section 4.2. Explaining socialization. In: Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Open Textbooks. https://doi.org/10.24926/8668.2401
- Section 4.4. Socialization through the life course. In: Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Open Textbooks. https://doi.org/10.24926/8668.2401
- Agents of Socialization, in Sociology by University of Minnesota
Supplementary Reading
“Black Panther” and the Importance of Racial Socialization
Study Guide
Class Discussion/Activity
Class Discussion/Activity 1: Alcohol Consumption
- Read this article: America Has a Drinking Problem, The Atlantic, by Kate Julian, July/August 2021
- Consuming alcoholic beverages sounds very individual activities. However, it is one of many things that comes from as a result of socialization. Suggest how families, peers, schools, mass media, and work help establish the desire to consume alcoholic drinks.
Class Discussion/Activity 2: Social Media & Self
- Social media has been one of the most critical agents of socialization among teens.
- After watching these videos (two short videos and one long documentary), throw some questions about how social media shapes and press how we think of ourselves.
- Video 1: Girls Ages 6-18 Talk About Body Image | Allure
- Video 2: Teen girls open up about the ‘constant pressure’ of social media
- Video 3: Teens, Social Media, and Technology (long documentary)
