Step 1: Create a page in your E-Portfolio where you list out the different courses that you took that dealt specifically with the area of inequality. For each of those courses, write down some key concepts that you learned from that class.

Sociology of Education

• School organization and structure
• Theories associated with Sociology of Education
• School hierarchy
• School shooter motivations and typologies
• Response to school shooting from police and school admin/teachers
• Inequalities related to school and teachers- when a student goes to school (private/public) and teachers pay

Race and Racism in the United States

• Race is a social construct
• Structural and institutional racism
• Racism in different social institutions
• Inequalities related to race and racism in the United States

Medical Sociology

• Inequalities and inequalities in the medical field
• Healthcare
• Ways to help your community
• Comparing differences in health behaviors and healthcare between the US and other countries
• How it is easier to choose unhealthier styles of living because of the prices and accessibility
• Fundraiser, ways to help your community

Sociology of Sport

• Origins of Sport
• Theoretic Frameworks used to understand Sports
• Inequalities and inequities relating to sports
• The evolution of Sport

Marriage and the Family

• Marriage as an institution
• The analysis of marriage
• The process of marriage and process of divorce
• Marriage and divorce outcomes affecting others (children)
• Inequalities and inequities when it comes to dating and marriage

Step 2: From those classes find three papers that you wrote that reflects learning that you did in that class.

Step 3: Create a page in your E-Portfolio

Step 4: Think about issues related to race, class, gender, disability, sexuality.  How has your thinking changed regarding these issues from when you first started to taking classes related to inequality to today?  You will want a paragraph that addresses each of the five areas above.  Your paragraphs should discuss how your views have changed and incorporate concepts that you have learned that have helped to change your views.  You should also refer to the papers you wrote that deal with these issues. (5 paragraphs)

In regards to race, my thinking has changed significantly through my years of college. With that being said, I have learned aspects of race that I have never thought of before. I realized that race is a social construct, but is also a foundation of the society we live in. Meaning, race is not scientifically real, but there is a multitude of things that society forms race around and this often leads to discrimination and inequalities perpetuated through race and racism. Furthermore, I have learned that with race being a social construct, that individuals are often perceived or judged on an account due to being a “certain color”. Throughout the race and racism class, I learned a lot about race. We did a podcast in this class where we learned about race and racism and its association of wrongful convictions in the United States. We learned that individuals of color get wrongfully convicted based solely upon their race.

Another important concept in Sociology is class, which has significant issues that play keys parts in our society. Before college, I never really thought about class. However, class is a significant aspect of society as it builds a hierarchical system. Individuals are often placed into a system of different hierarchical categories based off their education, income and other characteristics. I have learned that individuals often portray themselves to be middle class, even if they are a lower class, because they do not feel comfortable sharing their actual class, as they do not want that label. In addition, inequalities stem from class, as more opportunities are available to those that are in higher classes than those of lower classes like higher education, jobs, housing, food and more. I learned in my Medical Sociology class that due to the United States not having universal healthcare, like most countries do, poor people tend to not be able to get healthcare treatment or even healthcare in general. Whereas, richer people can get healthcare and treatment because they can either afford it of have benefits from their employment to get it. Moreover, I did research in my Medical Society class to understand the relationship between mental health disparities in rural vs urban areas and found that there are disparities in both; however more disparities in areas of low income-rural areas.

Learning about different ideas, inequalities, and inequities surrounding gender in our society has been interesting to learn throughout my college career. I never realized the complexity that gender plays in our society. Gender is a significant aspect of society that leads to many inequalities that people often do not think about. For example, women may not be able to work there way up the hierarchical ladder in relation to there jobs simply because of there gender. Another example could be that women are taken a lot less seriously when going to the doctor. In addition, throughout history women have been seen as the “feminine caretakers” that need to stay at home, while the man of the house goes out and works to bring in a living. Most people do not understand the complexity that gender plays in society, and I did prior to coming to college.

In regards to disability, my thinking has changed significantly through my years of college. I did not realize the amount of stigmatization that surrounds the idea of disability in our society. Individuals often do not realized the amount of people that suffer from disabilities, unless it is seen on the outside. Meaning individuals in society are judged when it is “obvious” that they have a disability, i.e. in a wheelchair. In addition, the numerous classes that I have taken in Sociology has helped me understand disability and the inequalities faced by those that have a disability. Furthermore, discrimination has seen to take place in workplaces, school and other social institutions involving individuals with a disability. Considering all of the equalities that face individuals with disabilities relating to ones in social institutions, I think the biggest inequality is the stereotyping and stigmatization that is often placed on individuals with a disability. there are often seen as not enough or can not do something strictly because of their disability, which is something I have learned over the years of being a Sociology major.

Sexuality has been something really interesting to learn about in terms of inequalities that face individuals in terms of sexuality. In addition, there is a severe stereotype and stigmatization surrounding individuals of the LGBT community in our society. I have learned in sociology that these stereotypes and stigmatizations can often be so sever that individuals are too scared to live their true life. Laws and policies have been put in place in numerous places in our society that has put a strain on individuals in the LGBT community. One of the biggest ones include no same sex marriage. Another interesting idea to note is that I have learned that in history, individuals in the LGBT community were accused of spreading diseases, and other terrible accusations. Throughout my time in college as a Sociology major, learning about inequalities on different topics have helped me understand more about these topics.

Step 5:  How do you see your changing views about issues related to inequality potentially affecting your career? (1 paragraph)

Throughout my college career, my changing views about issues related to inequality will affect my career in many ways. As a police officer, my job is to serve and help the community. With this, I can not stop someone simply because they “look suspicious”, but instead need what is called probable cause to be able to stop the individual. I want to be as fair and nonbiased as possible and help those in need. As being a Sociology major and learning about issues in society has changed my perspectives on a multitude of topics that I feel will affect my career in a positive way. Being able to bring more perspectives to the table to help others learn about issues in our society could help my coworkers and I perform the duties of being a police officer much better, as it will help us look at different situations through multiple different lens’. Furthermore, learning about different inequalities and inequities could help me make more connections and build relationships in communities, to possibly gain trust from diverse backgrounds. It could also allow me to help individuals to get on better paths in life, rather than ruining their lives by incarcerated them. Furthermore, I believe that applying my skills and knowledge through being a Sociology major will help me become a police officer overall.