Final Essay

Sociology, the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society, is highly applicable to our everyday lives, considering we are all members of a grand society and, furthermore, smaller microcosms that represent this large idea of human connection. Since completing this class, I have begun to view certain topics and social groups in a new light. In particular, this course has developed my understanding of different categories of culture, sanctions of norms, and countercultures.

Culture, a term that once seemed so broad to me, has become much more comprehensible since learning that it can be divided into two different categories: material culture and nonmaterial culture. I have always recognized the elements that fall under these two factions; however, I was unaware that many of these objects and beliefs could be considered a part of my society’s culture. Since being informed of this, I am able to separate the unique aspects of American society and categorize them as either material or nonmaterial. For instance, famous buildings such as the White House and the Empire State Building represent a portion of American material culture. In addition to that, other observable material culture is the casual clothing that is exceptionally distinguishable; items such as sweatshirts, jeans, and t-shirts make it easy for a foreigner to assume that the individual wearing them is an American, or at least a Westerner. In terms of nonmaterial culture, I have been able to recognize several forms of interaction that are natural to Americans, but may not be elsewhere. Signs such as pointing, giving a thumbs-up, and shaking the head “no” are common gestures in this area of the world. However, my mind has been opened up to the knowl...

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...ries of culture have all been revealed to me since taking this course. I am able to recognize aspects of my society and other civilizations that fall into the categories of material and nonmaterial culture. Additionally, I have learned how to label the norms of my culture as folkways, mores, or taboos, based on the intensity of the negative reactions that are emitted from people who witness the violation of these norms. Lastly, since studying countercultures, I am able to identify factions ostracized from the dominant society and analyze why, on the basis of their extreme beliefs and actions. Sociology has proved to be a course unlike all the others I have enrolled in; there are no other courses that truly open your eyes to the macrocosm surrounding you and give you the opportunity to analyze why the values and habits of your collective culture exist as they are.