13 Dec Observational Sociology: Sociology is one of the unusual scientific disciplines where we experience relevant phenomena every moment of our lives
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Observational Sociology (100 points)
Sociology is one of the unusual scientific disciplines where we experience relevant phenomena every moment of our lives. An important goal of this class is for you to become more accustomed to making effective and meaningful observations. Through these observations, we become more aware of their sociological significance. Motion pictures make up a significant part of our world, and this exercise allows you to demonstrate your observational techniques and sociological analysis. You are to choose any non-documentary motion picture and follow the instructions listed below. Keep in mind that all motion pictures are sociologically relevant, but for the purposes of this exercise, some may be more appropriate than others.
Section I: Introduction
Identify movie. Give a brief description of plot and describe main characters.
Section II: Analysis
Choose twenty concepts that are demonstrated in the movie. Define each concept in your own words. Provide a detailed explanation of how each concept is illustrated. Use this listing format:
1. concept: a-definition… b-illustration…
2. concept: a-definition… . b-illustration… . .
20. concept a-definition
b-illustration
(For example: If you were to watch Disney’s classic film, Sleeping Beauty , a concept that can be observed is “ascribed status”. Definition: Ascribed status is a position that one occupies within the social structure that one has little or no control over, often assigned at birth. Illustration: The Prince was born into the royal family and had no control over which family he was born into.)
Section III: Reflection
Discuss the relevance of this exercise as it relates to “thinking sociologically”. Does the movie appear different when viewed this way? Discuss the most interesting thing you have learned this semester. (Minimum 250 words)
Paper should be double-spaced, 12 font. Length usually varies between 4 and 6 pages, but there is no specific requirement. Grading will be based on following above format, adequate
description of plot and characters, the accuracy of definitions and illustrations, completeness of “Reflection” and correct sentence structure and grammar.
,
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Professor Foster Sociology 1301 8 December 2017
Sociology within “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”
Section 1: Introduction
Sociology is a subject that can be found in almost every aspect of a person life. It is a
subject that is made up of many different subtopics that are littered everywhere. One area that
demonstrates sociological topics is in movies. One movie that discusses sociological topics very
well is the second movie in the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is
the second movie in the Harry Potter series. This movie, like the other seven films, follows
Harry, Hermione, and Ron on their adventures at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
On the surface, this movie deals with Harry and his friends during their second year at Hogwarts
discovering the dark secrets and historical facts about their beloved school. The main characters
investigate the multiple petrifications in order to figure out who has released a monster into the
school and who looks to harm certain students. Below the surface, the movie deals with deeper
topics that have plagued many countries at one point or another. This movie specifically deals
with the social standings in the wizarding world and the connection one has to those around
them.
Section 2: Analysis
Listed below are the sociological terms and the examples from the movie that go with them.
Concept: Social Solidarity1.
Definition: The social ties that bind a group of people together.a.
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Illustration: Each student and teacher are sorted into houses that relate to their
personalities. Each member of a house share an apartment like section to the castle
with other members.
b.
Concept: Norms2.
Definition: Rules of conduct through which societies are structured.a.
Illustration: The wizards keep their presence hidden from the muggle world in order
to stay safe. If exposed, the wizarding world would be in conflict with the muggle
world.
b.
Concept: Ascribed Status3.
Definition: The status outside of an individual’s control.a.
Illustration: The blood status of each individual is not chosen, but they have to live
with it. Hermione is born a mudblood and has no control over it, nor the chance to
change it.
b.
Concept: Class Consciousness4.
Definition: The awareness of one’s own ranking in a society.a.
Illustration: Demonstrated when Dobby acknowledges his ranking in the world as
house elf. Even though he does not like it, he recognizes his place/status in the world
he lives in.
b.
Concept: Peer Group5.
Definition: A group made up of people with similarities.a.
Illustration: Harry, Ron, and Hermione are a form of peer group due to their similar
ages and interests in solving school mysteries. The students with each house are also
b.
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peer groups due to their similar personality traits. Another example of eer group is the
class grades: first years, second years…..
Concept: Authoritarian Leader6.
Definition: An individual with power and control over others.a.
Illustration: Dumbledore, as head of the school is an authoritarian leader. He is in
charge of everything that goes on in and around the school.
b.
Concept: Negative Sanctions7.
Definition: Punishments for violating society’s norms.a.
Illustration: Due to Harry breaking wizarding rules (being seen by muggles in a flying
car) he had to serve detention with Professor Lockhart.
b.
Concept: Media8.
Definition: All forms of communication.a.
Illustration: Media can be seen as Professor Snape is yelling at Harry and Ron for
being seen by muggles. He picks up a newspaper illustrating the ordeal.
b.
Concept: Class System9.
Definition: Social standing based on social factors and individual accomplishments.a.
Illustration: Hermione points out to Draco that Harry was able to earn is spot on the
Quiditch team and Draco had to buy his way in. In this moment Harry is seen as
having a higher standing than Draco based on his accomplishment.
b.
Concept: Caste System10.
Definition: Social standing that one holds from birth to death. a.
Illustration: Argus Filtch (the janitor at Hogwarts) is born a Squib (muggle born to b.
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wizards parents) and will retain the social standing that goes with being a muggle in a
wizarding world.
Concept: Chattel Slavery11.
Definition: A form of slavery in which one person owns another.a.
Illustration: Dobby, as a house elf, is born to serve one family his entire life. He is
born into slavery and forced to serve the Malfoy’s until hey free him.
b.
Concept: Dominant Group12.
Definition: A group of people who have more power in a society than other groups.a.
Illustration: The professors at the school demonstrate power over the students due to
their higher ranking in the school system. They are dominant due to their superiority.
b.
Concept: Extended Family13.
Definition: A household with one parent and child as well as relatives outside of
immediate family member.
a.
Illustration: Harry Potter was orphaned as a child and since then has lived with his
uncle, aunt and cousin in their home.
b.
Concept: Cult14.
Definition: Religious groups that are small, secretive, and highly controlling and lead
by a charismatic individual.
a.
Illustration: Lucius Malfoy works under the instructions of Voldemort as a death
eater. He plants the cursed diary in Ginny Weasley’s cauldron at the beginning of the
movie in obedience to his leader’s wishes.
b.
Concept: Sorting15.
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Definition: Classifying individuals based on academic merit or potential.a.
Illustration: Each student that comes to a wizarding school is sorted into houses based
on their personality and which house best represents them and their work ethic.
b.
Concept: Power Elite16.
Definition: a small group of powerful people who control much of a society.a.
Illustration: The Malfoy family has a lot of control in society due to their blood
statues and wealth. Lucius is able to use his power to get his son on a sports team,
gets Hagrid arrested, and tries to have Dumbledore removed as Headmaster of
Hogwarts.
b.
Concept: Legitimation17.
Definition: The act of a physician certifying that an illness is genuine.a.
Illustration: Madam Pomfrey, the school physician, assesses Harry’s missing bones
and works to cure him health issues.
b.
Concept: Conventional Crowds18.
Definition: People who gather for a regularly scheduled event.a.
Illustration: Due to Hogwarts being a school, there are classes, clubs (dueling club),
and sport games (quiditch) in which students attend on a regular basis.
b.
Concept: Triad19.
Definition: a three-member group.a.
Illustration: Harry, Ron, and Hermione are one group of friends seen. Draco, Crabb,
and Goyle are another set of three friends seen in a group.
b.
Concept: Endogamous Marriages20.
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Section 3: Reflection
The chance to look in depth at movies that have played a large role in many people’s lives
is both fun and interesting. By looking into the finer details of the movie, you tend to see or think
about things you would not have noticed from just watching it in general. The finer details that
you gloss over when mindlessly watching a movie can be some of the most revealing details
about a society. In “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” people don’t tend to really think
about how important social standings are in the wizarding world, nor do people fully grasp the
idea of a house elf. They do not realize when they watch it for the first time how harsh and cruel
the role of a house elf actual is.
I have seen the Harry Potter movies many times so the details do not jump out at me
anymore, but needing to go through the movie and systematically point out the issues was an odd
experience because it highlights everything wrong with the magical world that touched many
children’s hearts. The fact that so many people wished they were in this world rather than the
world we have is interesting because the similarities are very close.
The most interesting thing I learned from this class was the hidden ideas found in the
world that are only discovered when thoroughly looked through. It is not just in media sources
Definition: Unions of people within the same social category.a.
Illustration: Molly and Arthur Weasley are individuals in the same social category
that married each other. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy are also in the same social
category and are married. Lastly Vernon and Petunia Dursley are married and share
the same social category. The only difference between the three couples is the social
level in which they both stand.
b.
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that these terms can be found. They can be found in schools, work places, families, and even
friend groups can contain multiple sociological terms. It is not until a person looks into it and
thinks deeply about the dynamics of the area/group that they begin to realize how much
sociology is in their daily lives. People do not tend to think about how many sociological aspects
are imbedded in their daily lives. If they were to really look into their lives they would find an
abundant amount of examples of sociology working in and around their society. The only issue
with learning about things terms and ideas is that once you are aware of it, you start to see it
everywhere. Then, once you see something as that term or idea, it is hard to see it as something
other than that term or idea. Sociology is everywhere, but it is not until you know about that you
realize it.
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