Here’s how you get an A on your weekly work:First DQ post: A post that gets a 5/5 should directly address the question asked in
the prompt, bring in outside sources that are appropriately cited (ideally, your
textbook), and show that you understand the topic by providing good critical
analysis. Don’t expect a 5/5 just for posting something on time.
Participation grade: The University requires a minimum of two substantive posts,
three days a week. Again, this is a minimum; don’t expect a 20/20 for just putting
something on the board. If you post 20 times in a day, but I don’t deem any of
them substantive, that day does not count. A substantive post is one that
incorporates theory from our readings (with citations, if appropriate) and furthers
the discussion on the board. Don’t just repeat the main idea of the week either;
focus on bringing something new to the table! In short, make every post count, as
I want to see quality over quantity. Your post should focus on the intricacies of our
theories; statements of agreement, rabbit trails, and unsolicited opinions without
backing research are not substantive. Here is an example of a substantive and a
non-substantive post in short form.
Me: Explain Karl Marx’s conflict theory to me and how it applies today.
Student 1: Marx believed that there was a conflict between the bourgeoisie, or
upper-class business owners, and proletariats, or lower-class workers. Since the
bourgeoisie owned the means of production, they were able to exploit common
workers for their own financial gain. One way that this is apparent in our society is
in service-oriented fields, such as fast food restaurants. Many workers at these
types of places are paid minimum wage, which is not sufficient to allow for them
to provide for their families; meanwhile, the owners of these businesses are
making record profits without having to perform the difficult labor. Therefore, the
gap between the middle and upper classes has significantly increased over the
last few decades, and the gap between the two is now at the widest that it has
ever been; only the upper class has made gains in overall wealth in the last
decade (followed by APA citation).
Student 2: Thanks for your post, Student 1, I totally agree! The bourgeoisie
definitely exploits the proletariat (statement of agreement that just repeats
Student 1’s idea). I was at McDonalds the other day, and everybody looked really
unhappy there. It’s probably because they aren’t getting paid much. McDonald’s is
giving out smaller ketchup packets now so that they can cut costs and make more
money, which was bad, because I didn’t have enough for my fries (rabbit trail). I
think it’s really bad that people who work at McDonald’s don’t get paid well, and
everybody should get paid the same no matter what they do (unsolicited opinion
without theoretical backing). Great post, Student 1!
Big difference here. Student 1 brought in new information from the readings,
analyzed it critically, and cited it appropriately. Student 2 didn’t bring anything
new to the table and generally discussed McDonald’s as opposed to theory, so
now we are talking about ketchup instead of conflict theory. Student 1’s post is
substantive, while Student 2’s is not. As a rule of thumb, if you have not opened
your textbook before posting, your grade will not be good. Additionally, if your
post looks like something that anybody with no knowledge of our topic could post,
you will not get credit for it.
Topic 3 DQ 1- Answer with Article
Poverty in urban areas tends to perpetuate social deviance. GCU conducts community outreach to
local areas that are struggling with poverty. After reading the GCU Statement on Integrating Faith and
Work document, how might the CWV influence the way to address this social problem?
Reply to
Jennifer Thames
Mar 3, 2022, 9:47 AM
With the problems that surround and arise from poverty it is good that places like GCU step up to do
what they can to help. While I am not a Christian myself, I recognize the values that Christians believe
in and value highly especially when they concentrate on being in the service of others. These values
are something anyone can grasp and understand whether they are of Christian faith or not. As a
person who has experienced poverty and homelessness in my past, I recognize the importance of
what GCU does to make an impact on those who are in need. To some the impact may seem small but
to someone who has gone without and is hungry on a regular basis outreach programs and soup
kitchens make a major difference daily. Even though I made tremendous efforts to pull myself out of
that position to be where I am today and capable of providing for my family, GCU is still making a
significant impact in my life while I am attending school and I am sure even afterwards.
Reply to
Mia Arochi
Mar 2, 2022, 8:17 PM
The Christian worldview may influence the way to the social problem of poverty leading to social
deviance by speaking God’s principles of His Kingdom to those around. As the GCU Statement on
Integrating Faith and Work says, “we are convinced that the Christian worldview offers hope of
restoration…”, it clarifies that they include everyone. For example, all individuals, families,
communities and societies. The Christian worldview focuses on restoration, human flourishing,
compassion, care, justice, concern for the common good and glorifying God (One Foundation GCU,
2022). As the statement demonstrates the word WE BELIEVE in bold letters, it shows the significance
of how important it is to believe the good in the bad of people. People need encouragement to become
productive, reach their goals, change their behavior, change their attitude and most of all love and
believe in GOD, themselves, and all people. A Christian worldview perspective demonstrates the love
of Jesus through their words, His words and actions. It is said in the Statement on Integrating Faith
and Work that the restoration of human culture and society through Christ can denounce the evil and
injustices of the world. It all comes to terms of being respectful, kind, encouraging and thoughtful of
all because we might not know what someone is going through and words of encouragement and faith
can get them to overcome the difficulties of poverty and social deviance.
Reply to
Edythe Marshall
Mar 2, 2022, 6:29 PM
The GCU statement on Integrating Faith and Word document is a message not just students at GCU but
anyone believing in Jesus Christ. The CWV influences poverty as a social problem by allowing people
an opportunity to serve God. Making things matter to people and doing good for the Lord. Faith and
work go a long way in helping people understand that everyone can help society. Poverty in different
areas around the world continue to get help by people who believe as the document says. Believes in
Jesus Christ as our savior and leading people to seek people needing help.
The statement also relates to helping people understand that poverty is a door opening for these
people to get closer to God and becoming brothers and sisters to following Jesus. Making a purpose for
ourselves. Caring for one another starts by treating others how we want to be treated.
Topic 3 DQ 2 Answer
Investigate and create a list of both informal and formal deviance (things that were/are against the
law as well as those against social norms). Identify at a solution/technique/action that was used both
historically and used in modern times, to control/react to the deviant behavior you listed. Discuss
what the differences are and if the modern solutions are more effective than historical solutions and
why modern solutions replaced historical ones.
Reply to Elizabeth Mahon
Mar 3, 2022, 11:59 AM
Formal and informal deviancy both go against social norms. However, formal deviances are criminal
in nature. An informal deviance is just simply an act that is not seen as necessarily socially acceptable.
A crime is an act that violates a criminal code by an officially constituted political authority
(Robertson, 2014). There are violent crimes such as murder, rape and assault. Property crimes such
as burglary and arson contribute to the formal deviancy list. Informal deviances are things such as
ignoring emails, spitting in public or not keeping promises that you have made.
The social control theory provides formal and informal sanctions for deviants as an attempt to
discourage undesirable behavior (tutorsploit.com, 2021). Social reform is one way in which has been
utilized in an attempt to solve the deviancy problem. It is a possibility that reducing poverty and
economic inequalities between the affluent and the poor could reduce some of these behaviors
(Sullivan, 2015).This involves furthering education and providing better paying jobs. Because this way
is a process and does not solve the problem instantly, it has been overpowered by some seemingly
quicker fixes. Including legalizing certain crimes such as gambling and prostitution. Instead of
changing the behavior to flow with the norm, they have changed the norm to flow with the behavior.
Essentially though, this lowers the standards of how we are to behave and what is socially acceptable.
On the side of informal deviancy, some have used the method of isolating or “cutting off” the person.
Shunning a person however will not solve the deviancy problem. In this case, relating to the deviant
and showing compassion to them. Helping to show individuals and educate them as to what the social
norms and loving them in spite of the deviancy may help lead the deviant to some sort of reform.
REFERENCES:
Robertson, J. L. (2014). Deviance. In J. S. Albanese, Wiley series of Encyclopedias in Criminology and
Criminal Justice: The Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Wiley. Credo
Reference: https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/w
ileycacj/deviance/0?institutionId=5865
Sullivan, T. J. (2015). Introduction to social problems (2-downloads) (10th ed.). Pearson Education.
Top 100 Deviant Behaviors, 2021. https://www.tutorsploit.com/sociology/top-100-deviant-behaviorexamples/
Reply to
Jennifer Thames
Mar 3, 2022, 11:08 AM
Actions that fall within the law but go against what society considers normal or ok are forms of
informal deviancy. Example of informal deviancy are things like not using your manners and saying
please, thank you or your welcome. I feel that while these are still taught in our society today people
of the past used to be much stricter in some aspects of manners like teaching their children to respect
their elders and others. While many kids certainly still do, many do not care too anymore. Formal
deviancy are actions that are unquestionably against the law such as theft assault or drug use. One
major difference between today and even 10 to 15 years ago is the use of marijuana, which within the
nineteenth century had become illegal to use. It is still illegal to use in many places and aspects but is
slowly becoming more acceptable to use it, especially for medical reasons. As time continues smoking
marijuana is becoming more normal for many and they no longer feel it needs to be a hidden action
(Robertson, 2014).
Reply to
Mallory Kraemer
Mar 1, 2022, 8:14 PM
Social deviance can be formal or informal deviance. Formal deviancy is something that is illegal such
as murder, theft, sexual assault, and physical assault. Informal deviance, which is not necessarily
illegal, includes many different things such as looking different with rainbow hair, piercings and
tattoos, or not wearing a mask or social distancing in areas where people do. Social deviance can even
be caused by bullying as it can cause young children or even adults to become depressed and often
times suicidal which is seen as being against social norms (Robertson, 2014). Some solutions of
deviance, specifically formal deviance, can include fines and incarceration. Rehabilitation and therapy
are also helpful for both informal and formal deviance, but most importantly, empathy and kindness
for informal deviance (Sullivan, 2015). In the past, there have been many solutions for deviance that
were ineffective.
Some solutions included exiling people who struggled with any form of deviance and disregarding
them without offering any type of aid or assistance (Sullivan, 2015). In situations where a person
struggles with addiction or other deviant activity, there are modern day solutions to replace the
ignorance of the past. Offering programs such as rehabilitation is effective, but there are other
effective ways as well. Some workplaces offer a rehabilitation program through their company to help
employees rather than to fire them (Sullivan, 2015). This is very effective compared to past solutions
of firing a person for drug abuse or alcoholism. This provides a person with a safe space and a job
after becoming sober, which is very effective and important long term. If a person is not able to return
to work, sobriety may not be as important and they may turn to their negative coping mechanism
because of this.
I feel that the most important part of informal deviance is to accept and be empathetic towards people
who are different. Just because we may not agree with it, it does not mean that it is necessarily wrong.
I think we all have experienced informal deviance in our lifetimes and will continue to do so. It is also
important to remember that deviance is not always negative. Though we may not understand it, or it
is not a social norm, some actions people take are overall the right thing to do.
STATEMENT ON THE INTEGRATION
OF FAITH AND WORK
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our
hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17).
A
s a university, we believe that the message of Jesus Christ
bears profound implications, not only for individuals, but
also for society and the ways that we as individuals live
within it. The Lord Jesus instructed His followers to live
as salt and light within society, which implies a call to live out our lives
in ways that contribute to the common good. We are convinced that
this call extends to the workplace and that our respective vocations
represent vital opportunities to glorify God by serving others in ways
that promote human flourishing. Therefore, by God’s grace, we seek to
distinguish ourselves as a university by instilling a sense of vocational
calling and purpose in our students, faculty and staff in accord with
the following principles:
WE BELIEVE that God’s Word speaks authoritatively about creation,
fall and redemption as well as the restoration of all things through
Christ Jesus. Therefore, we are convinced that the Christian
worldview offers hope of restoration, not only for individuals, but
also for families, communities and societies in which individuals live,
work and serve one another.
WE BELIEVE that God the Almighty created the world, placed
human beings within it and blessed them by making them responsible
for cultivating and caring for creation. Therefore, we are assured that
our work within the world matters to God and our neighbors, and
that we honor God by serving others in ways that promote human
flourishing.
WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is both Savior and Lord and that all
who follow Jesus should seek His Kingdom and His righteousness
in relation to all aspects of human experience, including culture
and society. Therefore, we have resolved to carry out our work
within the public arena with compassion, justice and concern for
the common good.
WE BELIEVE that Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection secured
abundant and eternal life for all who believe and that Christ
transforms all that we say and do. Therefore, we are convinced that
Grand Canyon University should positively impact those who study
at, work for and live near the university in ways that accord with the
teachings of Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE that mankind was originally created in the image of
God and given responsibility over creation, but that all have failed to
fulfill their God-given purpose and responsibility. We believe that God
redeems and restores men and women in Christ, creating them anew
for the good works He has prepared them to do. Therefore, we are
confident that the work we do is a part of God’s calling on our lives
and a means by which we can glorify God as we meet others’ needs.
WE BELIEVE that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential for
salvation and that the work of God’s Spirit in the human heart
invariably results in renewed purpose and the growth of Christ-like
love for neighbors and neighborhoods. Therefore, we are certain that
God is working to restore the broken lives and communities of this
fallen world through the collective gifts, talents, skills and resources of
those who have been transformed by the power of the gospel.
WE BELIEVE that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone and
involves redemption of the whole person. Therefore, we are convinced
that the Christian life must involve compassion and care, not only for
the spiritual needs of mankind, but also for basic physical needs that
stem from poverty, oppression and injustice.
WE BELIEVE in the spiritual unity of all believers in Christ and that
evangelism and societal engagement are duties of the Christian life.
Therefore, we are devoted to demonstrating the love of Jesus together
as we share the gospel message and shape society according to the
principles of His Kingdom.
WE BELIEVE that the gospel message denounces evil and injustice
while offering hope for reconciliation to Christ and the restoration
of human culture and society through Him. Therefore, we recognize
and embrace the potential of human work for furthering the greater
good and strive to further the good of the culture and the society
through education and the embodiment of biblical principles related
to goodness and justice.
15COT0123