Unit Two:  Social Change

Assignment One:  Introduction

Reading:  Conditions and Impediments to Social Change (pages 70-77, Transitions in Society)

Assignment:  Design a poster illustrating the conditions and impediments

Assignment Two:  Alienation and Conformity

Reading from the text Section 3.2 Conformity and Alienation (pages 77-81, Transitions in Society)  Answer questions # 1, 2, and 4 (page 81, Transitions in Society).

Task # 1: Read about Milgram’s teacher experiment (handout) as an example of conformity). 

1. Describe what Milgram’s experiment tells us about conformity and alienation. View the following sites for more information: the Milgram Reenactment;
2. Investigate Milgram’s “familiar stranger” experiment at this site.  In a paragraph, describe the concept of the familiar stranger and how it relates to the concepts of conformity and alienation.  Include your paragraph in the comments section below.
3. How has Stanley Milgram helped social scientists in their understanding of human behaviour?  Research how Milgram is viewed by social scientists today.
4. Design your own experiment to measure conformity. Here are some examples:

Warning:  the following video contains a simulation involving electric shocks.  There are in fact no shocks. 

Task # 2:  Find an article that falls under the category of conformity and alienation that represents either negative or positive social change.  Then write a letter to the editor of the magazine expressing your opinion about why it represents negative or positive change.

Assignment Three:  Poverty and Affluence

Reading from the text Section 3.3 Poverty and Affluence in Canada (pages 82-90, Transitions in Society) 

Part #1: Answer questions # 2, 3, and 5 (page 90, Transitions in Society).  

Part # 2: Read:  Competing Perspectives (pages 88-89, Transitions in Society). 

Consider the questions asked on page 89. (i) In your opinion, which perspective do you think will bring about more beneficial positive change?  (ii) Do you think change will likely be initiated by the richest or the poorest in society?

Assignment Four:  Values

Choosing the theme of gender equality, sexual orientation, or the environment, prepare a short powerpoint presentation (approx. 10 slides) illustrating how Canadian society’s values have changed in the last 50 years regarding one of these themes. (the textbook discusses this topic on pages 90 to 96, Transitions in Society).

1. Describe what Milgram’s experiment tells us about conformity and alienation.
2. Investigate Milgram’s “familiar stranger” experiment.  In a paragraph, describe the concept of the familiar stranger and how it relates to the concepts of conformity and alienation. (http://berkeley.intel-research.net/paulos/research/familiarstranger/)
3. How has Stanley Milgram helped social scientists in their understanding of human behaviour?  Research how Milgram is viewed by social scientists today.

4. Design your own experiment to measure conformity.

Assignment Five:  Technology and Social Change

Part One:

Read from the text Section 4.1 Technology:  Advent of Social Change (pages 104-106, Transitions in Society).  Answer questions # 1-5 (page 107, Transitions in Society). 

Part Two: Coping with Technological Change and The Impact of Technology on the Family

Reading provided.  From the assigned reading, answer the following:  #1 (page 6); #2 (page 4); #3 (page 12); #4 (page 13); #5 (page 16).

Assignment Six:  Technology and Agriculture

Using the information provided in the handout Changes in Agriculture and Section 4.4  Changes in Land Use and Agriculture (pages 123-134, Transitions in Society), prepare a 2 to 3 minute audio report on organic farming, the 100 mile movement, or fair trade products either explaining, defending, or challenging their position.

HSB4M1 Unit 2 

HSB4M1 Unit 2