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The results of these investigations help to eve beyond â€Å"common sense† knowledge and individual experience to understanding larger complex social issues and processes. This course will introduce students to the various sociological research methods used to explore diverse social processes, as well as methods of inquiry, strategies and tools used by social researchers. Students will also be introduced to the philosophical foundations of research methods and the practical, theoretical and ethical concerns for conducting both quantitative and qualitative social research.Course Objectives By the end of the course, students will be able to understand: . The foundations of sociological research b. Various methods used in sociological research c. How data is collected and interpreted to form theoretical arguments d. The steps involved in designing a sociological research project Required Readings 1 . Research Methods: Exploring the Social World First Edition by Diane Cymbal's. A hardcopy of the textbook or an e-book option is available for purchase at the Brock Campus Store. 2. There may be additional seminar readings available on Assai.These readings will be identified on the seminar schedule posted Assai. Course Evaluation 1. In class test #1 (Cot 2, material covered from Septet 11 to Septet 25) 25% 2. In class test #2 (Novo 6, material covered from Cot 9 to Cot 30) 25% 3. Written Assignment (due Novo 20) 10%4. Take home exam (essay format, distributed November 27) 30% 5. Seminar participation Please note: Detailed explanations of course evaluation and expectations will be posted on Assai and discussed in class and/or seminar. In addition, brief lecture outlines will be posted On Assai prior to lecture.Seminar Schedule: A seminar schedule will be posted on Assai. It will outline he weekly seminar expectations, readings, possible discussion questions and assignments. There are 8 seminars in total. Successful completion of this course will depend on your en gaged presence at all seminars. You are expected to read the assigned material in advance of the corresponding seminar. Accessibility: Please notify the professor if you have accessibility issues and concerns. These concerns will be passed on to [email  protected] Ca.Also, for more information please go to http://www. Brocks. Ca/accessibility. Class changes or cancellations: Any changes or cancellations of lectures, miners, and office hours will be posted on Assai and/or announced in class and/or emailed to students. Late Submissions are subject to a penalty of 2% per day, except for the take- home exam which is 5% per day, including weekends, unless arrangements have been made with the course instructor. An assignment, for example, that would have received a grade of 80 % (A-) submitted 2 days late, will receive a grade of 76% (B).The student should be prepared to provide some form of official documentation, such as a doctor's note, to support any request for an extension. Also, it is advisable to keep an extra copy of any written assignment due for this course. Grading (from Brock University Undergraduate Calendar) A+: 90 – 100 work of outstanding quality that provides clear evidence of a rare talent for the subject and of an original and/or incisive mind A: 80 – 89 excellent, accurate work that demonstrates a certain flair for and comprehension of the subject.B: 70-79 competent work that shows a sound grasp of the course goals without being distinguished C: 60 – 69 work of adequate quality that suffers from incompleteness or inaccuracy D: 50 – 59 the minimum requirements of a course are barely satisfied F: 49 or lower minimum requirements have not been met, and no credit has been given for the course Academic Misconduct: Because academic integrity is vital to the well-being of the university community, Brock University takes academic misconduct very seriously.Academic misconduct includes plagiarism, which involves presenting th e words and ideas of another person as if they were your own, and other forms of cheating such as using crib notes during a test or fabricating data for a seminar assignment. The penalties for academic misconduct can be very severe. A grade of zero may be given for the assignment Or even for the Course, and a second offense may result in suspension from the university. Students are urged to read the section of the Brock University Undergraduate Calendar that pertains to academic misconduct.

What are the effects of childrens various nagging strategies on their parents?

The trend for advertisers to target children rather than adults has several reasons behind it. The first reason is associated with the fact that during the 1980s working parents had less time to spend with their children and tried to substitute emotional connection with buying more things for their offsprings. It was the era when children emerged as an important category of consumers. The second reason is advertisers’ attempt to develop brand loyalty among their future customers from the early age. Children have been reported to recognize brand logos before they are able to speak their name. Advertisers reckon that nostalgic memories from childhood will propel consumers to buy their brand as grownups. The third reason for the focus on children is associated with effectiveness of nagging strategies children use to make their parents buy products they want. There are seven nagging strategies children employ, as identified by James U. McNeal, the author of the book ‘Kids as Customers. ’ The first strategy is referred to as a pleading nag and implies repeating words like ‘please’ or ‘mom’ until the child gets what he or she wants. The second strategy, a persistent nag, is based on requesting the desired object over and over again. It may include phrases like ‘I’m gonna ask just one more time. ’ The third form of pressurizing parents into buying certain products is a forceful nag that may involve threats and other pushy statement. The child may threaten to ask Dad instead thus playing on the mother’s willingness to be the most loves out of two parents. The forth strategy is a demonstrative nag – the most dangerous scenario characterized by scandals in public places, crying, refusing to walk out of the shop, breath-holding, and similar tactics. The fifth strategy is labeled a sugar-coated nag and relies on promising love and recognition in return for the desired object and may involve such phrases as ‘You’re the best parent ever. ’ The sixth strategy, a threatening nag, implies some forms of blackmailing, running away or vows of eternal hatred. The last form of a nag called a pity nag includes the child telling his or her parents that he or she will be immensely sad or socially stunted if the desired object is not purchased. All these tactics can be used in combination and can have a varying effect on parents. Quite often, these nagging strategies prove to be as effective as advertisers think them to be. There are several reasons for that. First of all, many parents are very busy nowadays, and it is easier for them to purchase a certain thing than to spend half an hour on persuading their child that the purchase would be unnecessary or undesirable. The second reason is that unfortunately, many parents do not connect well to their children and fail to establish a relationship of trust with them that is needed for reaching compromises or explaining which purchases are necessary and which are not. Young parents or single parents may simply lack communication and explanatory skills to avoid giving in to nagging. The third reason is that some parents believe that consumption is happiness and socialize their children into consumerism from the early age. Well-to-do and permissive parents are likely to supply their children with excessive amounts of unnecessary things. The fourth reason why parent give in to nagging is the society’s view that children should always get what they want. Increased attention to children’s right and eliminating child abuse make the society disapprove of parents that do not fulfill every wish of their children. Trying to avoid being labeled as a ‘bad parent,’ mothers and fathers prefer to buy the desired object not to be criticized by passersby or community members. The effectiveness of nagging strategies provides a rationale for continuing focus on children. This may have undesirable consequences, since advertisers often do not follow ethical standards in their attempt to maximize profits. People often say that advertising is intrusive, deceptive and manipulative. Therefore, it is ethically wrong to target children as prime consumers of advertising content. Unlike adults, children are incapable of distinguishing between advertising content and other television production. Furthermore, children may fall prey of commercials for alcohol and cigarettes. Marketing research into the likes and dislikes of children may interrupt their leisure activities and socializing. While buying decisions rests with adults, children are getting more and more power in shaping their parents’ consumption patterns though nagging. A conclusion can be made that parents should learn how to deal efficiently with their children’s nagging strategies and make more independent buying decisions. Advertising aimed at children should be limited and controlled by public authorities. While consumerism remains a questionable virtue, it may be wrong to socialize children into consumerist values before they are able to make informed decisions of their own.

Fundraising Through Commercial Social Networks by Non-Profit Assignment

Fundraising Through Commercial Social Networks by Non-Profit Organizations - Assignment Example Following the path set by Facebook, the other industry participants including Twitter, LinkedIn and MySpace are managing to catch attention of people having shares of around 57%, 30% and 7% respectively in the year 2011. All these CSNs except Facebook have shown a sluggish negative growth as compared to the previous year. In terms of community membership, Facebook is well above from Twitter having an average of 6,376 members. Twitter is hardly chasing Facebook in this regard and having an average of 1,822 members in the year 2011. The effort of fund raising through Facebook has been growing but not as enormously as it can be. Groups that are generating funds from Facebook have a range of $1 to $10,000 per year. This statistics has risen from 38% to 46% from 2009 to 2011. The number of organizations which raises funds through Facebook and other commercial social networking operations has doubled from 0.2% to 0.4%. These organizations raise about $10,000 or more annually. But the amoun t and the number of fundraising organization is still a very thin slice of the entire sector. Non profits organizations believe that they see the efforts of commercial social networking as valuable enough. ... The average number of Facebook followers for a fundraising organization named as Master Social Fundraiser has approximately 100,000 members. This number of members is 15 times higher than the average number of members of fundraising organization. It testifies that the raising of large amount of dollars from social networks can have a huge community. Getting appropriate staff is another concern. 30% of the staff of Master Fundraiser dedicates 3+ staff to fundraising and managing for the presence at other social networks. It proves that resourcing is the major criterion to be considered while raising funds through a social network operation like Facebook. In fact, it really does not matter if the size of non-profits is large or small. If the management and staffing is done adequately and in proper manner, then even a small fundraising can generate $100,000 or more through Facebook. Why Nonprofits are not on Commercial Social Networks The late adopters who have establish presence on Fac ebook (10% of nonprofits) has revealed that it is due to lack of strategic goals and it is the only reason they stay off which is true for almost 60% of such organizations. Lack of good planning of budget and staff is another contributing factor towards this failure of such strategies which is about 36% and 57% respectively (lack of expertise). Controls and Privacy concerns also generate issues for fundraising for about 21 and 24% respectively. Hard – ROI Approach In order to get a better idea, regarding the effectiveness of fundraising through CSN, around 869 non-profit organizations are taken into considerations. These non-profit organizations use a hard-ROI approach in assessing the effectiveness of CNSs for their fundraising activity.

Case study(Leadership) Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

(Leadership) - Case Study Example The leader who seeks to bring about organizational changes should understand the need for change, the change processes, implementing change, and possible reactions. Bass (1985 cited in Shackleton 1995, p. 113) and Burns (1978 cited in Shackleton 1995, p. 113) put forth the concept of transformational leadership. In spite of some variations, there is broad agreement in the concept suggested by Bass and Avolio through their "Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ)" and the "Managerial Practices Survey (MPS)" of Yukl, which includes managerial practices such as clarifying, supporting, inspiring and team building. (Tracey and Timothy, 1998). Ultimate Office Products realized that changes in the atmosphere such as intensified competition and heightened consumer expectations called for improvements in customer service such as electronic order processing, tracking and servicing. The company instituted the new department of information systems with Richard Kelly its director. Richard observed many unnecessary activities and bottlenecks were slowing down work processes. He installed new computer workstations and software to speed up and control the processes. However as most departmental heads - Richard's peers resisted change it could not be implemented. The CEO authorized constituting a number of cross-functional teams under Richard to report to a steering committee composed of departmental heads. The task forces were constituted to identify changes required in work processes. An outside consultant was called in to advise the task forces. The 'task forces' met with key customers to understand customer preferences and improve the efficiency of order filling system. They made recommendations to the steering committee often attended by the CEO to emphasize its seriousness. With the cooperation of all departmental heads, the company eliminated many unnecessary processes and within a year, was able to double order processing speed. The 'change for the better' brought about a change in peoples' attitudes too and many of them now volunteer to work on teams that design ways to improve service quality. B. The leaders' behaviour The CEO was able to see the environment driving change: discount merchandisers and office product super-stores altering traditional distribution channels. Manufacturers were challenged with demands for rate cuts and speedier processes for billing and filling orders. This necessitated process automation, which is primarily a change in technology and entailed in the creation of the new department of information. Richard Kelly the director of the new department installed the components for automating processes, the computer workstations and software. However installation of new technology by itself cannot bring about desired changes without making efforts to bring about simultaneous changes in the attitudes, skills and roles of various stakeholders. Richard, was not able to put the equipment to use as some of the key stakeholders, managers from sales, production, accounting, shipping and customer service, who were his peers did

Indonesian Arts And Craft Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Indonesian Arts And Craft - Article Example They also comprise of Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and animists living in historic places, bamboo huts, city apartments as well as long houses. Indonesian craftwork reflects the customs, religions, history and modern influences. Craftwork can be divided into three groups namely those of outer Indonesia, those of inner Indonesia and those affiliated to Islam. Indonesian art comprises of designs from Islamic or Chinese beliefs and symbols, Buddhist and Hindu designs brought by traders from India, ancestor worship and early animistic worship and beliefs (Expat, 2014). Indonesians have preferred to concentrate on culture rather than the economy and politics. The numerous ethnic groups and religions in Indonesia form part of the cultural richness and diversity in the nation. Each ethnic group has its own theatre, dance and storytelling tradition. The oldest known dance and theatre tradition of Indonesia can be found in Java (Bunanta and MacDonald, 2003). The shadow puppet theater also known as the wayang kulit has been in existence for years and is one of the most famous arts in Indonesia (Bunanta and MacDonald, 2003). The shadow puppet is made using leather. In fact, wayang kulit means shadow made by leather. The shadow puppet was mainly influenced by Hindu and Islam, although western culture also played a significant role. Painting has been part and parcel of the culture of Indonesia for many years. In the nineteenth century, Indonesian painting became very popular. This was after the arrival of the Dutch and other Europeans. Lamoureux points out that â€Å"today there are extensive artists colonies in Yogyakarta and the surrounding area, in central Java, and in Bali† (2003, p. 148). The most recognized painting is the Balinese style. In this style of painting, â€Å"artists fill their canvasses with details of daily life and mythology† (Lamoureux, 2003, p. 148). This painting has however changed since the Pita Maha revolution; the new style

Dangers of Genetically Altered Foods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dangers of Genetically Altered Foods - Essay Example However, the studies revealed that it was not the added lectin that was responsible for these side effects, but the engineering process itself. This is because a control group that was fed with potatoes containing the substance was not affected as they had not undergone the genetic modification processes (Pusztai, p.1). According to the researcher’s studies, food genetics should therefore not be altered for the purpose of making them disease-resistant or improving production to feed the hungry people since the process may bring adverse effects on humans. Regulation and testing of the process of modifying foods genetically has inefficiently been carried out in the past with interventions coming from various interested parties. For instance, in order to quell the public furor that was caused by the researcher’s studies, Philip James, a director at Rowett Institute, fired Pusztai because he had been influenced to take the action by a biotech firm located in the U.S. throug h a $224,000 grant they had received (Pusztai, p.2). In the U.S., their administration on food along with drugs has slowly drifted away from their regulation that food companies within the country should ensure the safety of their products before releasing them to the consumers. The foods are currently being introduced in a stealthy and quiet manner according to reports despite the public’s lack of comprehension concerning the risks that are posed by these foods. It is only due to the criticism that these foods have received across the nation and on the international arena that the American regulators are now thinking of creating new regulations to govern their manufacture (Pusztai, p.3). The production of genetically modified foods should not be advocated since they have many disadvantages that they come with. This is mainly because the engineering may bring imprecise technologies, different side

The Women's Kingdom - Mosuo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

The Women's Kingdom - Mosuo - Essay Example tradition are highly controversial, including the ‘walking marriage’ or Axia marriage, the matriarchal family structure, the religion, and the interaction of the minority group with the outside world (PR China). This article seeks to address the controversial issues concerning the minority group, with verification of the facts from five interviewees from the community (appendix 1). A typical Mosuo family consists of ten family members, though the size varies and some may consist of between 20 and 30 members. Nonetheless, a female leads each family. In essence, the family head is the most proficient female in the house and all other members of the family respect her. She has important responsibilities and honorary status because all other members of the family depend on her decisions on family matters. Lugu Lake is the home for the Mosou community, which has about 35,000 to 50,000 members. The community enjoys plenty of space and building material for building, thus each family poses its own courtyard, with the number of rooms in each courtyard dependent on the size of the family. However, one room stands out: the grandmother’s quarters. The Mosuo family uses this room to offer sacrifices to ancestors, receptions, dining, and discuss family matters. However, the room has a dark atmosphere and low ceiling, creating a sense of intimacy with the only source of light coming from the flames in the coal-stove chambers. Here rests a stone representing the entire ancestry of the family (Vogt). Mosuo tradition holds that the stone carries the souls of the past generations, and thus the fire must remain lit throughout the year to keep the ancestor warm. In some families, the grandmother’s room may contain a big chink of meat that symbolizes the wealth of the family. The Mosou preserve the meat of slaughtered animals using salt and ash, then stitch up the skin and keep it dry in a shady and clean place. Such preserved meat usually lasts for over three years before

Is Assuming the Role of Citizen Journalist Worth the Risk Essay

Is Assuming the Role of Citizen Journalist Worth the Risk - Essay Example This facility of communicating information on various events has been made possible for the people, by the Internet. Before the invention of the internet, professional reporters used to be the only ones reporting information on current events. But the Internet and other forms of media, has allowed regular citizens to do the same. (Tony Rogers).  Citizen journalism, as far as blogging and writing different articles is concerned, does not seem to hurt anyone and only portrays the freedom of speech that has been granted to the people. But making videos of incidents such as a fire or a car crash can be pretty dangerous. Some people involved in such accidents seem more concerned with recording the event in any way than to get to safety or helping other to reach a safe point. For example, such an event took place when there was some problem with an airplane and an emergency landing had to be done. A passenger on the airplane named Eddie Ho was caught taking pictures and making a video of the emergency evacuation being done by the airport authorities. His actions did not please the authorities at all, and he was reprimanded by the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, that his job was to get out of the plane safely and help others in evacuating as quickly as possible. During such events, amateur reporting or making videos is not praised but criticized. At the same time, when the investigators acknowledged the pictures taken by Eddie, saying that they could be valuable during the inquiry, they also stated that even pausing for a minute during such situations can be detrimental for the person himself and the other people. They recommend that the wisest thing to do is for the people to get to safety and not worry about taking pictures or videos, which might or might not be helpful.  

Education and equality of opportunity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Education and equality of opportunity - Essay Example Equality of opportunity in UK’s higher education system is provided for by the transparency practices observed during admissions (Schuetze & Slowey, 2013, p.269). The higher education admissions boards shun discriminatory practices when selecting and admitting students in higher learning institutions. This practice is consistent with the legal provisions that enforce right to education. In other words, gender, class, age, ethnicity, faith, disability, wealth, and sexual orientation are not the determining factors for admissions purposes (Brunswick, 2012, p.183). However, this does not rule out the occurrence of discriminatory practices in the UK education system. Cases of failure to admit qualified students have been reported, thereby raising concerns about the extent to which UK higher education system provides for equality of opportunity (HEFCE, 2008). The UK education sector is characterized by a large number of foreign student populations. It is important to note that the admission of foreign students in higher learning institutions is done in line with the available opportunities. Given this the high number of foreign students in the UK, it is undoubtedly true to conclude that the UK system has diversified its education opportunities. As result, equality of opportunity is not only provided to the locals, but also to the international student population. Merit is a vital factor that influences student enrolment in the UK higher education system. Whilst the system has been said to operate on a for-merit basis, the reliability, relevance, and validity of the process have been challenged (Parry, 2007, p.104). This follows concerns about the exact factors and variables that define merit. In regard to the merit factor, the equality of opportunity prospect has been more or less jeopardized. Notably, the admissions system works towards minimizing or alleviating