Social Change and Social Movements Racial Demographics Discussion

Civil Rights Movement Protest

This discussion addresses module outcomes 1 and 2. You will be asked to choose a subject from the module to explore the larger themes of the module – demographic changes and social movements. Throughout the course, you have learned how to analyze societal groups and trends in and among various human populations. In this discussion, you are to explore a specific societal trend or demographic grouping of your choice.  

Before beginning this activity, be sure to read the Module Notes and the assigned readings and viewings. Use as much detail from the readings, viewings and other learning materials in the module as possible to answer the following question prompts.

Choose a demographic group, shift, or other societal trend of interest to you (e.g., urbanization, falling birth rates, changing racial demographics etc.).    

Drawing on the Ferris & Stein text, and any supplementary sources, explain what intrigues you about this group, shift or trend. Why did you select this subject and what have you learned about how to study it through this course?  For example, how does applying sociological theories or typical analytic lenses to study your subject help improve your understanding of it (e.g., social class, race, urban-rural differences, conflict theory etc.)? 

Is there any social movement associated with your subject, and if so, can you identify the type of social movement and what, if any, stage of development the social movement is experiencing?  

• Finally, do you find the sociological knowledge you have gained through the course leads you to be optimistic about how your subject will fare going forward? For example, do you believe any social change associated with your subject or any social movement related thereto will be positive, improving the American experiment in creating a thriving society from complex and diverse communities?