SSCI

  

. Questions for weekly discussions and conversations (not part of the required Discussion Board assignment)

These questions can serve as the starting point for your discussions during the week. They are “thought starters,” so that you can explore some ideas associated with the discussion board and unit topics. Answers are not required, and should not be submitted with your required assignment. Answers are not graded.

1. Let’s take a look at social class from a different perspective. What does your Toyota Corolla say about your social class? What about a Hummer? What about a Corvette? What about a Cadillac? What other cars can you think of that say something specific about your social class?
2. The impact of Hurricane Katrina raised our awareness of the level of poverty in New Orleans. Were you aware of the poverty and social class issues in this city prior to Katrina? What does it say about our culture that most of us were not aware of the extreme poverty in a city such as New Orleans until the news about Hurricane Katrina brought these issues to light?

B. Required Discussion Board assignment.

Assignment Description:

Imagine you were trying to assess a person’s social class. Answer the following four questions:

• Based solely on his or her appearance, what physical traits would you look for?
• If you were only able to see the person and ask him or her just one question, what question would you ask?
• Why would you ask that particular question?
• Are there any other observations that you could make from an individual’s appearance that can provide you with evidence of an individual’s social class?