Class 1 (online)
As mentioned above, class 1 will be given online here.
For part of this course you must conduct a sociological experiment based on 1 aspect of Thai society.
50% of your course grade will come from doing this experiment and preparing a presentation report on it in the penultimate class (March 25th) 6-9pm. Ideas and help will be given during the first few classes so therefore you are not expected to finalise your experiment just yet.
As you may be aware sociology is the study of human behaviour as affected by society (i.e. how and why people behave in certain ways due to the society that they live in). Your experiment should investigate one aspect or feature of Thai society from a sociological perspective.
You are free to choose any topic you wish in your groups but please do not choose any topic to do with the monarchy.
Ideas and examples might be;
-The large number of designer handbags people carry in this country (fake or real) 'Louis Vuitton'
-The use of top of the range mobile phones as status symbols
-The general tendency never to 'stand out' in public places
-The general tendency to never show public affection
These are just a few ideas, but you are free to choose any topic that you wish. Remember you should investigate this from the point of view of how society has made people act in a certain way (and the possible reasons for it). You are recommended to choose something you find personally interesting or have noted before.
So for class 1 all I ask you to do is the following:
You will have time to do the actual experiment on Saturday March 10th (should you need it) so do not worry about finalising your idea just yet.
You will eventually form groups of 4-5 people for when you conduct the experiment and give the presentation. We will discuss your ideas on Tuesday 28th February (in the first class that we meet at University.)
Please spread the word just in case anyone is not aware that they do not have to attend on class 1 (Saturday 25th February 2012)
For part of this course you must conduct a sociological experiment based on 1 aspect of Thai society.
50% of your course grade will come from doing this experiment and preparing a presentation report on it in the penultimate class (March 25th) 6-9pm. Ideas and help will be given during the first few classes so therefore you are not expected to finalise your experiment just yet.
As you may be aware sociology is the study of human behaviour as affected by society (i.e. how and why people behave in certain ways due to the society that they live in). Your experiment should investigate one aspect or feature of Thai society from a sociological perspective.
You are free to choose any topic you wish in your groups but please do not choose any topic to do with the monarchy.
Ideas and examples might be;
-The large number of designer handbags people carry in this country (fake or real) 'Louis Vuitton'
-The use of top of the range mobile phones as status symbols
-The general tendency never to 'stand out' in public places
-The general tendency to never show public affection
These are just a few ideas, but you are free to choose any topic that you wish. Remember you should investigate this from the point of view of how society has made people act in a certain way (and the possible reasons for it). You are recommended to choose something you find personally interesting or have noted before.
So for class 1 all I ask you to do is the following:
- Some online research about various simple sociological experiments and how they were conducted (from anywhere in the world). Note any interesting experiments you come across online and prepare to discuss it or mention it in class
- Consider a suitable topic for your experiment based on the research and your experiences of living in Thailand.
You will have time to do the actual experiment on Saturday March 10th (should you need it) so do not worry about finalising your idea just yet.
You will eventually form groups of 4-5 people for when you conduct the experiment and give the presentation. We will discuss your ideas on Tuesday 28th February (in the first class that we meet at University.)
Please spread the word just in case anyone is not aware that they do not have to attend on class 1 (Saturday 25th February 2012)
