My Self-Reflective Essay

Brian Martinez

Behavioral Sciences Department, Weatherford College

Introduction to Sociology: SOCI.1301

Dr. Tasha Brown

December 15, 2022

Abstract

Reflection and analysis of course material from “Introduction to Sociology” For example, I now know that sociology is a social science that investigates the patterns of behavior, relationships, and organization within and between societies. Functionalism, conflict theory, and stratification theory are just few of the sociological paradigms we’ve covered in this course. Applying this theoretical framework has helped me put my own classroom experiences into perspective. What’s more, I’ve learned the hard way that one has to put themselves in the shoes of another person in order to fully grasp the complex web of influences that leads to the formation of a person’s ideas and ideologies. Being aware of one’s social milieu is also crucial. At long last, I have an appreciation for sociology and its value in explaining human interactions. Seeing how many schools of thought within sociology have molded the field itself has been utterly interesting to me. For instance, the functionalist perspective sees people and institutions as interdependent cogs in a larger machine. According to proponents of the conflict hypothesis, society is deeply fractured into antagonistic factions, and these tensions inevitably lead to violent conflict. According to the stratification hypothesis, there are four classes in a society: the privileged, the middle class, the working class, and the destitute. There are benefits and drawbacks to each viewpoint, but together they help us comprehend how society functions.

Keywords: Sociology, functionalism, conflict theory, stratification theory, individual                   experiences, and social environment.

My Self-Reflective Essay

When I first started studying sociology, I had no idea how much I would end up knowing. It seemed to me that I had a very solid understanding of the many peoples and customs of the globe. When I was in the military, I also received several briefings acquainting me with the different cultures with whom I would come into contact. But this Sociology course taught me much more about culture than I had anticipated. I gained knowledge in areas such as social structure, research methodologies, the unavoidability of bureaucracy, many types of personal status symbols, groupings, and the function of symbols in society. The more I learned about each of these areas, the more I saw how closely they were related to one another. People’s membership in various social status groups, for instance, may have an effect on the organization of society. Moreover, as is common knowledge, one’s sway grows in proportion to his or her perceived importance. Knowing the inner workings of these many communities is crucial to making sense of the social order.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

This class has given me a new perspective on the world. In reality, I’ve improved my understanding of the world and my capacity to engage with it. For starters, I’ve learned to be more accepting of other people’s choices in lifestyle and viewpoints thanks to what I’ve gained through this course. Previously, I lacked the understanding to fully comprehend why certain individuals made the decisions they did. I no longer make the naive assumption that someone’s current situation is the result of their own actions. Second, I feel like I have a better grasp of sociology as a field of study because to this course. In addition, it has provided me with the skills I needed to think critically and solve problems (Tanguay, 2022). By doing so, I feel more prepared to take on the challenges of life. My social and professional abilities have also been enhanced by this training. To be honest, I was terrible at both before this lesson. It was hard for me to strike up and maintain discussions. However, I have improved my social skills via the courses and online discussion forums. At last, this class has given me a new way of looking at the world. I used to be able to accept the world as it was and use what I wanted from it, but this class taught me the value of contributing to the world as well. Actually, I’ve just begun helping out at a neighborhood animal shelter in the capacity of a volunteer. It has shown me that there is much I can contribute to society as a whole.

Future Real-World Applications

Everything I’ve learnt in this sociology course has infinite potential for use in the real world. What I’ve learned might be useful in a variety of fields. I might, for instance, enter the fields of social work, journalism, or research. These professions vary in the specific knowledge and abilities they need, but they all share the requirement that I have a solid grounding in sociology. The social worker has to be familiar with the norms and customs of the community. They would need to know the make-up of that community and be able to decipher statistics to figure out how best to communicate with its members. A journalist’s knowledge of journalism’s standards and norms is also essential. They would also require an understanding of the economic, political, and social factors that shape the media landscape. In light of this, I believe that a degree in sociology will provide me with excellent preparation for a career in journalism. Additionally, the lesson taught me about social stratification, which was quite interesting. To some extent, this may be useful to me while reporting on current events.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is undeniable that this course has significantly benefited me. Though challenging at times, I feel like I have a much deeper grasp of sociology and how it may be applied to my everyday life. No matter what kind of social or professional obstacle may stand in my way, I am fully prepared to meet it front on. I appreciate you providing this course and look forward to enrolling in further ones in the future.

References

Tanguay, I. H. (2022). Reflection and Learning Conversations in the Sociology Classroom: A Discussion of the Role of Reflection as a Strategy to Promote High Performance Learning. In Handbook of Research on Policies and Practices for Assessing Inclusive Teaching and Learning (pp. 309-332). IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/reflection-and-learning-conversations-in-the-sociology-classroom/294235