Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Social sciences

Globalization and Globalism

Globalization is the increasing interconnectedness of people across countries, while globalism refers to the fluctuating level and extent of these connections. Globalism, therefore, is a key component of globalization, constantly evolving based on the specific type of linkage. The authors identify four distinct forms of globalism:

Economic Globalism

This involves international trade, the flow of jobs across borders (e.g., scientists conducting research abroad or relocated customer service centers), and international investment.

Military Globalism

Countries with limited military capabilities form alliances with stronger military powers. This often involves establishing military bases or defense agreements.

Environmental

The Rainbow Nation

Nelson Mandela often referred to South Africa as the "Rainbow Nation" to capture the diversity of the country's population and to emphasize the vision of unity in the post-apartheid era. The term "Rainbow Nation" reflects Mandela's commitment to building a nation where people of different races, ethnicities, and backgrounds could coexist harmoniously.

The Madiba Clan

Nelson Mandela belonged to the Thembu royal family, and his clan within the Thembu people is called the Madiba clan. "Madiba" was also a term of respect and endearment that many South Africans used to refer to Mandela.

Flags in 'Invictus'

In the movie "Invictus," during the first rugby match, you would see the national flags of South Africa and Australia. The scene... Continue reading "Nelson Mandela, South Africa's Rainbow Nation, and 'Invictus'" »

Technological Advancements

Another important impact the Industrial Revolution had was the improvements and developments it brought to the printing press. The development of more efficient and productive printing machines helped publish newspapers and made them more available to the masses. The telegraph is a great example that reflects the improvements seen in communication. Also, developing the steam engine as well as the iron and coal industry helped improve the transportation systems of society. Coal was used to power the steam engines, and iron was used to construct bridges and railroads, representing the huge progress made in transportation.

Social Issues and Worker Reforms

Eventually, with all of the mentioned social impacts that were produced... Continue reading "Industrial Revolution: Technology, Society, and Reform" »

Red Flag Laws

• According to Joseph Blocher and Jacob D. Charles, legal professors at Duke University and Pepperdine Caruso Law School, respectively, “extreme risk laws provide a way for guns to be quickly and temporarily taken away from a person who does not necessarily fit into a prohibited class but is at risk of harming themselves or others.” Thus, this solution does not profile specific groups but collects information to ascertain individuals' ability to bear arms.

Implications

• Combining a national ERPO and a gun safety course can help reduce teen mortality rates and improve gun reform.

• The implementation of our solution will subsequently elicit a more knowledgeable understanding of gun violence, causing a decrease in school shootings.

• According

^{Lazarsfeld's theory:}

The two-step flow of communication model hypothesizes that ideas flow from mass media to opinion leaders, and from them to a wider population. It was first introduced by sociologist Paul Lazarsfeld et al. in 1944[4] and elaborated by Elihu Katz and Lazarsfeld in 1955[5] and subsequent publications.[6] Lowery and DeFleur argue the book was much more than a simple research report: it was an effort to interpret the authors' research within a framework of conceptual schemes, theoretical issues, and research findings drawn broadly from the scientific study of small groups [7] Unlike the hypodermic needle model, which considers mass media effects to be direct, the two-step flow model stresses human agency.

For example, in the field... Continue reading "Lazarsfeld's Two-Step Flow Theory of Mass Communication" »

Understanding the Fan: From Stereotype to Participatory Media Culture

Defining the Fan: Beyond Negative Connotations

To appropriately answer this question, one must first address the definition of ‘fan’. The term is an abbreviation of ‘fanatic’, which carries religious connotations, referring to devotees or those with secular faith. Historically, it has often been associated with negative societal perceptions.

Henry Jenkins and the Rejection of Fan Stereotypes

Henry Jenkins, an American media scholar and lecturer from the second half of the 20th century, extensively discusses various phenomena related to fans in his seminal book, Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture. Jenkins actively rejects common fan stereotypes,... Continue reading "Fandom Dynamics: From Consumption to Participatory Media Culture" »

Types of nouns

Common noun A common noun is a noun that refers to people or things in general, e.g. boy, country, bridge, city, birth, day, happiness.

Proper noun A proper noun is a name that identifies a particular person, place, or thing, e.g. Steven, Africa, London, Monday. In written English, proper nouns begin with capital letters.

Concrete noun A concrete noun is a noun which refers to people and to things that exist physically and can be seen, touched, smelled, heard, or tasted. Examples include dog, building, coffee, tree, rain, beach, tune.

Abstract noun An abstract noun is a noun which refers to ideas, qualities, and conditions - things that cannot be seen or touched and things which have no physical reality, e.g. truth, danger, happiness,

Classical Approaches to Social Change

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)

• Social Dynamics: The processes that operate within society.
• Social Statics: The study of the parts of society and their relations.

Herbert Spencer (1850-1903)

• Structures: Relationships that shape a society.
• Functions: The role played by each social group within the social system.

Basic Sociological Laws

• Laws of Coexistence: Why certain social phenomena invariably appear together.
• Inheritance Laws: Why certain social phenomena precede others.

Understanding Technological Change

Partial Technological Change

Occurs when there is a change in perception, use, or characteristics of a given technology:

• Change in the social perception of a given technology.
• Change in the types of uses of a given technology.

TEMA 3

TEMA 3 Renaissance 1: The decline of the M.A, divided in: The end of the 100 years war, the peasant revolts and church schism. The beginning of the new period in Europe: technological development like printing press, discovery of America, military development. In England: Tudor dynasty, the break with Rome, union between Wales and England (1536).

Humanism:

Reaction against M.A., the classical as models, critical attitude towards the court, centrality of man -> heliocentrism, ideal renaissance man -> justice, prudence, honor, pledge, foundation of universities, education is central, interest in man history...

The Reformation:

The Catholics vs. Protestants. - Theological issues: Basis of Salvation. - Protestantism: faith + free interpretation... Continue reading "The Renaissance: Literature, Theater, and Ideology" »

Anglo-Saxon Administrative Model: USA

• More flexible, without a rigid hierarchical pyramid structure.
• Composed of various secretarial organs, which can be:
  • Unipersonal (e.g., the Presidency)
  • Collegial (e.g., the Cabinet)
  The distinction lies in the number of individuals forming the organ.
• These secretariats typically do not possess rule-making power, unlike ministers in the French model.
• Peripheral Administration: Belongs to the national executive but exercises power only within a specific territory at its level.

French Administrative Model

• France operates as a unitary state, where political power primarily resides at the national level, under a semi-presidential system.

National Level

• Executive Branch: Comprises the Prime Minister (e.g., Édouard Philippe)