Organic Solidarity: A Myth?

I read about Emile Durkheim's concept of organic solidarity in a sociology subject I took last semester. It postulates that societies with a high division of labour and specialisation will develop a sense of solidarity based on mutual dependence. Looking at the world today and, for that matter, of yesteryear, I doubt that organic solidarity is a valid concept.

Beck's Risk Society on a Global Scale

The challenge of voting in today's world

This informal article is inspired by numerous ideas I have acquired through my Jr. College and 1^st Year University education. It applies epistemology, anthropology, sociology, and globalisation studies to understand and address two contemporary problems.

In his book Risk Society, Ulrich Beck notes that modernisation has produced many hazards and risks characteristic of the 20^th and 21^st Century. Two major problems are especially pertinent today:

1. Climate Change and 

2. Economic Collapse

These two problems are truly global in scale. Their impact is or will be felt across the world regardless of borders and their solutions necessarily involve concerted, multilateral action. The unilateral actions of single nations or political blocs cannot conclusively solve these problems. However, concerned voters find it difficult to make informed decisions about these issues due to its specialist nature. Only select government agencies, NGOs, industry experts and academic communities possess the technical knowledge to thoroughly assess and address these problems. Voters’ relative ignorance compromises their ability to cast sound votes and make informed choices through the democratic process and, even if they do, such unilateral action does not solve the problem because concerted multilateral action is lacking. In light of these issues, it seems that national democratic processes cannot cope with the demands of global problems.

'Colour Coding' is Skin Deep

A University of Melbourne Final Essay Assignment

Under the Freshman Sociology subject "Understanding Society"

Passed with High Distinction (H1)

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By Benjamin L.C.Y., written during Semester 1, 2011


BEST FIRST YEAR ESSAY


 Melbourne University Arts Students' Society (M-ASS)


Annual Essay Competition 2011


in conjunction with National Australia Bank (NAB)

Tutor's Comments - Dr. Jackson, I.:

Ben, this essay presents an integrated and nuanced overview of the situation with a strong technique and structure. All the technical aspects are good. If anything, the essay could be strengthened by more explicit use of theory in analysis of the role that stereotyping plays, eg. as explored by Goffman, Mead, Cooley and others, and by investigation of the nature and basis of race and ethnicity as constructions. As it is, it is an elegantly written essay that describes [the] key aspects associated with the topic but it doesn't have much 'bite'; perhaps explicit indication of scenario outcomes via statistics of incarcerations [eg. 'Stolen Generations' in Australia], inter-racial marriages etc., thus to ensure it reads clearly as an academic essay rather than an op-piece. Nevertheless, this essay indicates your deep understanding of issues related to the topic nd its overall location within the academic discipline.

War Characters & Consciousness in 2 Texts

War Characters & Consciousness in 2 Texts

A University of Melbourne Short Essay Assignment

Under the Freshman Arts IDF subject "From Homer to Hollywood"

Passed with High Distinction (H1)

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By Benjamin L.C.Y., written during Semester 1, 2011

Question 8:

"In Homeric and medieval representations of war characters have little consciousness; while in more recent representations of war characters are weighed down by their self-awareness." 

Critically analyse this claim by choosing two characters we have studied and discuss how the representation of consciousness has changed over time.

  

Tutor: Dr. S Young 

Ben, your essay shows a great amount of consideration of the topic, and your response is excellent. You show an in depth understanding of how the the conscious mind is depicted in your texts, & your depiction of Hecuba's despair and Rivers' trauma is very effective. You have used evidence to good effect throughout & present a very well crafted response. Well done & best wishes for next semester.

H1, 27/30

Love Never Dies - Melbourne Premiere - A few thoughts

(I didn't record this)

Marx & Weber, walking down Wall Street...

The Order of Business

A University of Melbourne Short Essay Assignment

Under the Freshman Sociology subject "Understanding Society"

Passed with High Distinction (H1)

============ ============ ============

By Benjamin L.C.Y., written during Semester 1, 2011

The Order of Business

A brief comparison of Marx and Weber on the rise of industrial capitalism

“What are some of the ways that the earlier sociological perspectives of Marx & Weber understood the social forces that have, or will bring about, social change?”

Tutor's Comments:

Ben, this is an exemplary essay; congratulations. You have captured the essenceof the theories and integrated the comparison skilfully and the religious contextualisation works well. The essay structure creates a logical sequencing of comments. The essay, as presented, is however undermined by technical issues related to technical issues related to an essay format itself that are easily remedied and are noted on the essay itself. Take care of overuse of emphasis because this deadens the effect, and keep an eye on word length. This essay is well over the limit. Also, ensure that you don’t appear to be altering the essay question as set. However, as said, these are technical issues that don’t detract from the very strong demonstration of your understanding of this material. Well done.

Semantics

The Arts & Social Science student is NOT environmentally friendly. He/she will print 10 essay drafts in search for that perfect one.


Economists may say that it's an imperfect distribution of resources. The writer will same the same about his/her draft.


Geddit? :PP




Also, in the Old Arts Building:

The faculty is alive and well! ;)