4. A brief literature of a course related topic addressed within two separate books on your reading list

 Subculture
 

I am going to talk about subculture; it is one of the main topics we covered in Sociology. The reason I chose this topic is because of the love I have of culture and my interested in learning or getting to know other cultures apart from my own. Learning different cultures gives us the answers to why people behave the way they do. In my own understanding people's behaviour can reveal a lot about the time period and the culture a person lives in.

"A subculture is a cultural subgroup. They are considered 'opposite from the mainstream culture because of their unique trends. Subcultures are judged by what they look like, what they wear, where they live, their ethnic background and religion. Subcultures have distinctive styles of dress, activity and music. They form when the main stream culture fails to meet the needs of a particular group of people." Macionis, J. and Plummer, K. (2007).

According to Jenk, C.(2004, p) for a subcuture to truly be a subculture the members of the group must have four things which are Commitment, Identity, Distinctiveness and Autonomy." i think what he meant by the above four is
 
 

commitment; The subcultures members must be committed to a degree that influences the pattern of everyday life for the participant involved, accounting for free time, friendship patterns, shopping routines, going-out habits, collections of commodities, and even internet use.

Identity; Members must share a sense of affiliation with group insiders, giving feelings of distinction from outsiders and creating a different perspective from those outside the group
 Distinctiveness;  A set of shared tastes, ideals and values which is distinctive from those of other groups and reasonably consistent within the group.

Autonomy; Independent and self-governing. The act of not relying on mainstream culture to produce what is needed for the group to function and prosper.



Reference

Jenk, C. (2004) Subculture: The Fragmentation of the social culture, Great Britian: Gateshead Press

Marcionis, J. J. and Plumner, K. (2005) Sociology: A Global Introduction, Spain: Pearson Education Ltd.

Williams, P,J. (2011) Subculture Theory, Traditions and Concepts, UK: Polity Press.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. explaining the concept of critical reading/thinkink to a person unfamilar with it using examples to help.

Critical thinking means taking control of your conscious thought processes.  The essence of thinking is thinking beyond the obvious, beyond the flash of visual images on a television screen, the half truths of propaganda and faulty reasoning.  To engage in critical thinking, you have to be fully aware of ideas or actions, reflect on them and react to them. "Critical Thinking is essential as a tool of enquiry. It is a liberating force in education and a powerful resource in one’s personal and civic" life Critical thinking is the ability to apply reasoning and logic to new or unfamiliar ideas, opinion and situation.  it involves seeing things in a open minded way and examining an idea or concept from different angles.  This important skill allows people to look past their own views of the world and to be understanding the opinion of others.  it is often used in debates, to form more cogent and well rounded arguments, and in science.


Critical thinking is essential in the workplace, particularly for employees in management roles. Their decisions can affect an individual employee, a department or the entire workforce. Therefore, critical thinking skills are sought-after professional characteristics for employees with high-level responsibilities and authority.

In my own point of view example of critical thinking could be a mature student thinking of going back to education.  critical thinking is important in this situating because first of all you have to think about the children you have, if you will be in school what will happen to child care.  have any anyone that can do that for you or can you afford to pay childcare issues.  Someone could  be asking her or himself if they will cope with the college stress and being a wife or husband and a mother or father at the same time. 

 

 

 

REFERENCES

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/examples-using-critical-thinking-make-decisions-workplace-12952.html assessed 24/11/2012.

http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/critical/1a.html assessed 24/11/12.

1.which if any is more important in your opinion and why: Cognitive intelligence(IQ) or Emotional intelligence (EI)

According to Stein and Book (2006, p.17) "Cognitive intelligence refers to the ability to concentrate and plan to organise material to use words to understand assimilate and interpret facts".  it is the intellectual ability to reason, have logic, reading analysing and prioritizing and writing.  It is your brain that uses the neocortex and not the emotional centres of the brain.  in other words you have great control on your own in order to resolve many problems most individuals will have to deal with in a rational and controlled manner.

Emotional intelligence is understanding your own emotions and those of others and being able to use this information to bring about the best outcome for all concerned.  knowing where emotions come from and being able to manage yours and those of others. Emotional intelligence helps you build stronger relationships, succeed at work, and achieve your career and personal goals.  According to Stein (2009, p.1)" Emotional intelligence has a lot to do with being intelligent about your emotions.  it involves the ability to recognize your ownemotions as well as the emotions of other people."  EI includes understanding emotions.  it also has to do with how you manage your emotions and other people's emotions.

In my own point of view i think neither cognitive intelligence or emotional intelligence is important than the other because a human being need both to live a healthier and fuctional life. IQ and EQ  are both important in helping a person achieve success in life emotional intelligence help us deal with our personal relationship or marriage without emotional intelligence we will find coping with work stress and school assignment very difficult. "emotional intelligence is a quick fix panacea for manifest problems in personal relations at work, and during the educational process."



REFERENCE

stein, J.S.(2009) Emotional Intelligence for Dummies,Canada: John Wiley and Sons.

Stein, J.S. (2006) Emotional intelligence and your success,Canada: John Wiley and Sons.

Zeidner, M., Matthews,G. and Roberts,D.R. (2009) What we know about emotional intelligence: How it affects learning work, relationship and our mental health,USA:Massachusetts Institute of Technology.