What is sociology(5)-kimjinwoo(김진우)

Intro)

We learn technology and our lives. For a long time technology affect human life in many ways.
And technology also affect human life in the future. In that respect studying the relationship between technology and society, it is important.

How will the technology change our lives in the future?

 First we think of 3D printer. We watch video about 3d printer. 3D printers can create what you want.
So it take advantage of the higher value. It makes things with a difficult structure.  As a result, 3d printer make people self-sufficiency.  Because people will make the desired product.  This will be you do not have to buy any more goods.  No one do not buy industrial products.
 Second, many people will lose their jobs. This includes various simple workers and Delivery driver.
Because the machine is produced for such a thing. The capitalists will use the machine. Eventually it exacerbate the gap between rich and poor. And we make preparations for this. Without these measures will lead to social chaos.

Why world trade has decreased in 1917 and 1947?

The reason is that both wars. Let's get into more detail! The results was examined, in 1917, Unrestricted submarine warfare of Germany has occurred. It led to the weakening of the US trade with the third world. Result is the deepening of the Second World War. That is why trade is strongly reduced.
Now let's check the Year 1947! The reason for trade volume has been reduced to the fact 1947 is you do not know well.  I think two reason. First reason is GATT. GATT is a trade barrier. A result of the investigation, trade barriers occurred in 1947.  So, it's going to reduce the volume of trade. Second reason is end of war. The Second World War ended in 1947. I think it would of reduced it trade volume.

What happens when the oil runs out all? 

Oil is a valuable resource for human. All our products are made using petroleum or petroleum. Car that we attend riding also run on oil. As such, the oil is important. So, when no longer oil, great confusion occurs. Alternate energy should be developed in order to prevent it. Thus, it is possible to obtain the energy missing. Solar energy and wind energy is an alternative energy. They are environmentally friendly. Therefore, it must be developed as soon as alternative energy.

Function of religion: Sung-an Cho(조성안)

3/23~3/24



 We have learned and discussed lot about religion. Especially, I was interested when we discussed about religion's functions. That was really fun,because I barely thought about religion's functions. I just thought that religion is individual preference.


 So I have opinion about religion's function in two different sociological views.

Functionalism
 In this view, religion can prevent people from deviation. For example, buddists think that thoughless killing is sin. So some of them take part in anti-war activities and protest violence. And  another example, some of christians participate helping poor people in christmas season,Saying "We have to help poor people. Because today is the day christ had come!". Therefore religion can be good for society's safety and quality of life.

Conflict Paradigm



 In this view, religion can be reason of conflict. For example, Crusades is good example. Many people has died and lost their family or friends. But this war had been  justified by religion, sayng that "In the name of god! We will kill em all!"

Week 4 blog - "Religion" / posted by So Jeong Yeon (연소정)

1. Introduction

   

 

In this week’s lecture, we learned about “Religion.” Some people have particular religion and others have not specified the religion. Anyway, we need to know about religion in detail and think carefully about the role of it in the society. Because, you know well, religion is a major element of culture in all societies and is so influential in our lives. Then let’s look into the role of religion!

 
 

2. My opinion of the question

 

Q. What functions religion may have?

  

First, we can think religion helps maintain social integration.

People who have same religion share the same rituals and beliefs. So they can understand each other. Christianity, Islam and other world religions have some rituals. For example, people who believe in Christianity sought spiritual succour at Sunday church services. Through rituals, they confirm their own faith in God and feel a sense of kinship.

Second, religion reduces anxiety and gives us a sense of stability. In other words, we find a refuge in religion. In harsh reality, we need to something to turn to. We live in pain every day emotionally and feel the fear of danger and death that we might face. Nobody is free from the anguish of life. For a little while, religion helps alleviate that fear.

 

 

 

Third, religion functions as a tool of social control and conformity. Religion legitimizes the existing social order. We can think of the state religion. Some state religions have some social taboos and restraints. For example, Muslim has rules people must keep. Muslims are required to pray five times a day. They are also not allowed to eat pork.

  

We can classify the above functions according to sociological theories that we learned in class last week.

 

Functionalist and Confilct theories of religion have a different perspective. Functionalist theory stresses that religion contributes to strengthen the social solidarity (social cohesion). It is related to first and second function. On the other hand, Confilct theory argues that religion is a tool of social control. It is related to third function.

 

 

3. Conclusion

After class, I thought that religion has both good and bad functions. We often debate on whether the religion is good or bad. However, we cannot conclude that ‘It is only good’ or ‘It is only bad.’ Because I think on the one hand religion is good and on the other it is bad.
Even though we conclude religion is bad, we can’t de-emphasize or control religion. Rather, I think we have to discuss the existence of religion or the solution of religious dispute.

 

What is sociology (4) - Kim Jae Hoon (김재훈)

Topic 1 : What functions religion may have?

Religion implies a belief for God.
The first form of religion was developed to the form of a totemijeum, shamanism, animism.
These are used to keep the community and to transmit of required living knowledge.
In other words, the first function of religion is the maintenance of the community.

The second function is to make people together.
In Turkey, a religious facility of 12,000 years ago have been found. Until then, scholars have been thinking that religion was born from agrarian era.
Despite a number of personnel required for the religious facilities, it have been completed successfully. We can see what the second function of religion through this case.

The third function of religion is the role as a service. Most religions have a doctrine for salvation of men. So they work diverse religious outreach, it will be the driving force to develop the society.

On the other hand, religion has also dysfunction. Religious conflicts are a big part of world history. For example, 911 terrorism has caused total chaos of the world.

I don’t have a religion. However I think that the positive function of religion is very helpful to the development of society.


Topic 2 : Why Muslim don’t eat pork?

Prohibited food is called 'Haram' by the Muslim. Haram include pork, dog meat, the meat of birds of prey, and so on.
Pork is noted as a the representative food as Haram. Religious reasons are that "Jesus locked the devil  to pork”.
But it has another reason. Islam had difficulty to obtain the food because the area is desert, pigs will eat a lot of food. Even the pig it not any offer for labor.
In addition, pig needs a large amount of water for temperature control. The use of large amounts of water in order to obtain the meat is not the right choice.

Thus the prohibition of pork in the Muslim originated from a variety of economic, hygienic and environmental factors.

What is sociology (4) You tae joon 유태준

What functions religion may have?

Religion has many functions. But there is two different theory about Religion. One focuses on the fact that Religion's function that benefits the society, But the other theory focuses on the fact that Religion gives adverse effect to society.
 The fist theory assert that  the Religion supplements mutual relations , so that it can give society an order. It means that Religion is the installation that balances society.

 The second theory claims that Religion is poisonous. Because in history you can notice that Religion is the first factor that causes War. If it were without religion, The war may not happened.this theory is the adverse theory to first theory. fist theory claimed that Religion gives balances to the world, But this second theory asserts that Religion divides the world by each other's religion.And there is more examples tha testifies this theory. Now the most serious problem is Terrorists. The religion it self is not claiming to hurt others but the people who mistakenly understand their religion harm other people who have religion which prays another god.


Can you think of other example in how religion can be used to control people?


I think religion suppresses the masses. Religion has many creeds. It forces people what to do and not to do. This makes the society apply a uniform standard. As an example i would like to say RAMADAN.
RAMADAN means hot month in arabian language.
This month is the day that the great angel Gabriel taught Koran to mohammed. So all the muslims have to fast, and they have to pray 5times a day. The intersting thing is that there is an misunderstanding about Ramadan. Which is that this month is not only forces people not to eat food.It also forces people not to drink water, smoke, or having sex.
I think this Ramadan ceremony shows most effective control over people.

What is Sociology 4 (안지영 (Ji Young An))

Last class we learned about religion. According to lecture, religion is a major element of culture in all societies. And basic element of religion could be categorized to religious values, religious beliefs, religious rituals, and cult structure. Religious values are conceptions about what is right or wrong and religious beliefs, to be simply thought, is another name of faith. Religious rituals are behaviors that fulfill supernatural demands and cult structure is the structure of organized religion. 

About religion we had discussion. The topic was "what functions religion may have?". Our answer was function of making solidarity, freeing oneself from pain of reality, and making people understand others. And we also thought this function of religion could be used both in good way and in bad way.

And then we studied religion from two different perspective. First perspective was functionalist theorists. Functionalist theorists see religion contributing to social integration. Second perspective was conflict theorists and they think religion is just a tool of social control. 

And we had discussion about religion from conflict theories perspective. The topic was "Can you think of other examples in how religion can be used to control people?". Our team thought two examples. First example was Muslim not eating pork. About this we had short time to think why muslim do not eat pork and it was interesting time. And our second example was there is lots of donation in Myanmar because state religion of Myanmar is buddhism. 

Religion was friendly material as much as culture. So I felt little bit more easy to approach and understand lecture. 

Economy - posted by Yang Hyun(양 현) in 4th week.

Economy

 

1. Summarization

 

***What is Economy

Economy refers to the ways people use their environment to meet their material needs. It includes the production, exchange, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of that area. A given economy is the end result of a process that involves its technological evolution, history and social organization, as well as its geography, natural resource endowment, and ecology, among other factors.

 

***History of Economy

As long as someone has been making and distributing goods or services, there has been some sort of economy; economies grew larger as societies grew and became more complex. The ancient economy was mainly based on subsistence farming. The Lydians were the first people to introduce the use of gold and silver coin. It is thought that these first stamped coins were made around 650-600 BC.

For most people the exchange of goods occurred through social relationships. There were also traders who bartered in the marketplaces. The Babylonians and their city state neighbors developed economic ideas comparable to those employed today. They developed the first known codified legal and administrative systems, complete with courts, jails, and government records.

Several centuries after the invention of cuneiform, the use of writing expanded beyond debt/payment certificates and inventory lists to be applied for the first time, about 2600 BC, to messages and mail delivery, history, legend, mathematics, and astronomical records.

In Medieval times, what we now call economy was not far from the subsistence level. Most exchange occurred within social groups. On top of this, the great conquerors raised venture capital to finance their land captures. The capital investment would be returned to the investor when goods from the newly discovered or captured lands were returned by the conquerors.

The first economist in the true meaning of the word was the Scotsman Adam Smith (1723-1790). He defined the elements of a national economy: products are offered at a natural price generated by the use of competition - supply and demand - and the division of labour. He maintained that the basic motive for free trade is human self interest. In Europe, capitalism started to replace the system of mercantilism and led to economic growth. The period today is called the industrial revolution because the system of production and division of labour enabled the mass production of goods.

 

***What is Capitalism?

Capitalism is an economic and social system in which capital and the non-labor factors of production or the means of production are privately controlled; labor, goods and capital are traded in markets; profits are taken by owners or invested in technologies and industries; and wages are paid to labor.

 

Capitalism as a system developed from the 16th century on in Europe, although capitalist-like organizations existed in the ancient world, and early aspects of merchant capitalism flourished during the Late Middle Ages. Capitalism gradually spread throughout Europe and other parts of the world. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it provided the main means of industrialization throughout much of the world.

 

***How Capitalism Works

The economics of capitalism developed out of the interactions of the following five items

1. Commodities: There are two types of commodities: capital goods and consumer goods. Capital goods are products not produced for immediate consumption but serve as the raw materials for consumer goods to be sold to others.

 

2. Money: Money is primarily a standardized means of exchange which serves to reduce all goods and commodities to a standard value. It eliminates the cumbersome system of barter by separating the transactions involved in the exchange of products, thus greatly facilitating specialization and trade through encouraging the exchange of commodities.

 

3. Labour power: Labour includes all mental and physical human resources, including entrepreneurial capacity and management skills, which are needed to transform one type of commodity into another.

 

4. Means of production: All manufacturing aids to production such as tools, machinery, and buildings.

 

5. Production: The act of making goods or services through the combination of labour power and means of production.

 

***Economic Measures

1. GDP

The Gross Domestic Product or GDP of a country is a measure of the size of its economy. While often useful, it should be noted that GDP only includes economic activity for which money is exchanged.

 

2. The Gini coefficient

(also known as the Gini index or Gini ratio) is a measure of statistical dispersion intended to represent the income distribution of a nation's residents. The Gini coefficient measures the inequality among values of a frequency distribution. A Gini coefficient of zero expresses perfect equality, where all values are the same (for example, where everyone has the same income). A Gini coefficient of one (or 100%) expresses maximal inequality among values (for example where only one person has all the income).

 

2. new, interesting, items

Euro Bill

***What is Euro?

Euro is a single currency which will be used in 12 countries of EMU(European Economic and Monetary Union) from 2002.1.1. including cash.

 

***countries which use Euro

Euro can be used in 12 countries in the world. Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Italia, Dutch so on.. and Greece will join Eu in 2002

 

***Sort of Euro

There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50cent and 1Euro 2Euro coins, so it is totally 8 sort of coins. Bill is 7 sort, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500Euro bill.

 

***Meaning of Design of Euro

Windows in bill means ‘Open heart of Europe’ and bridge in bill means communication and relationship between global people and Europe.

3. Discussion

Q) Is Capitalism really the best economy system? If not, what can be alternative system?

After fall down of Communism, Capitalism rised. There is difference and discrimination to people from their birth. People have different economic level, education level and appearences when they are born. So, regardless of effort of Communism, there is natural difference and discrimination between people. Therefore, we now have Capitalism system. By unlimited competing, we can gain our own profits. But there are many problems in Capitalism. People's right and dignity is looked down and  gap between rich and poor is getting more serious. So I wonder Capitalism is the best economic system in our modern society.

What is sociology? 4 조규현(Cho Gyuhyun)

What functions religion may have ?

I think religion have some positive things to people. 

First aspect is the peace of mind. For me, I am a christian. So I believe in God whenever. When I am in trouble, and it making me depressed, I pray to God, he makes me peaceful and hopeful. And I trust for he will make my way. It can be peace for me. It is just for me but besides my faith Protestantism, Whoever having religion could take peace of mind I think.

Second aspect is the social welfare of religion do. Every religion like Catholic, Protestantism, Buddhism, Islam and so on emphasize love, mercy, faith and so on. So their did for social welfare is very wide. For example, my church '동산교회' do many charitable works like giving education for poor students in no cost. And do 'good partners' is helping many African people for well water project, and helping them to giving some money to education. It couldn't explain all of religion's social welfare works.

Last thing i think about the religion's positive thing is about culture. We can think about medieval Europe. In Europe, Christianity was dominant in that times. So the style of churches lead that time's the style of architecture like baroque, rococo, and so on. It develop the technology of architect. And like CCM(Contemporary Christian Music) religion make many things of cultural things.

Sociology of religion. -Yeon ju, Heo (허연주)

This week, we learned sociology from religion. That was interesting. Because I have religion. Religion is important component in all culture. Sometimes, religion occupy most of the human life.

 

 

# What functions religion may have?

We learned from this question, there are two theory. Functional theory and conflict theory. I thought both of them.

In functional theory, religion have many advantage. It reduces anxiety, restlessness, concern and other bad things. Sometimes, We find meaning of life in religion. We confess our sin to the GOD and get forgiveness. It gives courage and consolation to some people. And it combines various people (other country, other language) in same religion.

But religion also have bad aspect in conflict theory. Sometimes, it become source of war. Between other religions, conflict is occurred. They are not comprehend other religion, and make other religion give in their religion.

 

 

# Can you think of other examples in how religion can be used to control people?

In some country, religion have powerful influence to people. Which country people are controlled their eating by religion. And other country people are controlled their fashion. For example, muslim woman must wear ‘Hijab’. Because It is their rule fixed their religion.

 

 

 

 

# I think...

I have religion. So I interested in this lecture. I always think religion is good thing. Because I have religion, and I take it for granted. Through this lecture, I could think about religion’s bad aspect. Course, that is unpleasant aspect to me. But I extend my perspective.

What is sociology? (4) Mina Kim 김미나

Date: March 23th~24th

W hat fuctions religion may have?

First, Religion gives peace of mind to people. That they believe in somebody gives a sense of stability in their lives and the hope of lives. They lean to God like we lean to family. While they believe in God, they lean to God when there are a sad day and happy day.
Second, religion develops the communicating between people. The fact that a common theme means that a talking can lead to good conversation. Also, through such a process, they can get the ability to obtain the sympathy between people and attention to the words of others.
Third, this is meaningful in life. my friend who believe the religion profers service and is a member of religion club. I heard that "i feel really great about having completed this activity." and "I believe that the religion i think the best thing l've ever had was right of action" Then, religion gives the hope of life like my friend and influences a positive feature-wise.

What is sociology? (4) Kim Min Jin (김민진)

name : Kim Min Jin (김민진)

date : march .23~24. 2015

 

(4)



 

 

Topic1 : What functions religion may have?

 The religion has many functions. The functions give positive and negative effect to us.

 

Positive functions

 The first of religion's positive function is stability which religion gives. The religion gives stability of mind to people. So When people tired, they depend on religion. By depending, people believe that god will solve the problem. The second of religion's positive function is social integration. The religion has led to right path. At the same time, the religion unites people to right norns. Forexample, When Shilla unifed three kingdoms, many people were confused. Because people have lived differently. So Shilla tried religion integration by state religion of Shilla. The result of effort was success.

 

Negative function

 The first of religion's negative function is justification of inequality. The religion has led people to right path. But If not, The religion justify inequality like status system. Hindu is one of the examples. Hindu is state religion of India. So many people believe this religion. But This religion justify the caste system. The caste system is unresonable status system. But this system is important at Hindu.

Therefore people should abide by the norms.