Unit 1 - What is Social Change?

Group Discussion

Our discussion this week will center around the first question listed in the lecture - What is social change? As you will see, there is no easy answer to this question; no single definition that works for everyone. We all have our own opinions about what constitutes a basic change in society. I've designed the discussion this week to get you to think a little about your own position on social change.

Sociologists think about society existing on a series of "levels" or "scales" from small (individual) to large (society). Change can occur on any of these level but what constitutes "social change" is a matter of debate.

After you have finished reading the lecture, go to the Discussion page using the menu on the left side of the screen. On that page you will see a series of forums. I'd like you to select the "level" at which you believe social change is happening and write a brief statement explaining your position. At the most basic level, we need to make a distinction between social change and individual change but that distinction is different for everyone. Some people think that almost any action in society can cause social change while others want to see some fundamental change in the nature of society. I'd like you to give a little thought to the question of social change and see where you stand right now.

Introduce Yourself

Introduce yourself to the class via Blackboard's Discussion Board. You may also provide a photo and description via the Personal Home Page function of the Tools area.

Instructions

1. Edit Your Blackboard Personal Homepage
   • Click Tools
     • Click Edit Your Homepage.
     • Type an introduction and personal info into the fields.
       • Remember to use a safe level of detail about yourself. Focus on your health goals, if any.
     • Copy and paste favorite links into the links field.
     • Browse and attach a .jpg or .gif photo file from your hard drive if you like.
       • Use a file size no larger than 15k to keep the download time to a minimum.
     • Click Submit.
2. View your Blackboard Homepage
   • Click Communications.
     • Click Roster.
     • Click your name in the list to see your Homepage.
3. Copy the URL of your personal homepage.
   
4. Click the Discussion Board area button and paste the URL of your homepage into a thread of the Introductions forum.
   • Open a forum.
     • Click Show Options.
       • Use the check boxes to select the messages you want to view.
       • Click Collect in the options.
   • Read the text from all the selected messages.
   • Print them if necessary.
   • Respond to posts individually.
     • Type your responses in a text file on your local hard drive. Save.
     • Copy and paste the text into the discussion thread in Blackboard. Submit.
5. Add more comments if needed.
6. Respond to others' threads.