ment, or to interpret data. Inquiry implies involvement that leads to understanding. Furthermore, involvement in learning implies possessing skills and attitudes that permit you to seek resolutions to questions and issues while you construct new knowledge. Inquiry Activity: You will be given definitions and sometimes examples of new concepts that you would find later in a sociology textbook. Your task is to meet the challenge of deciding and defending where you would put the new information in the conceptual framework above where you see the question marks (?).
therefore, they do not have to be “right.” However, you do need to support, or justify or make it reasonable to believe in your decision. Symbols as an element of culture obviously fits under culture. As we look at the definition, we need to look for the most meaning in the definition and if we can find, either in our own prior knowledge or the textbook, examples that help develop meaning and use them to help make the decision. The most meaning is “anything” that has a “particular meaning” in a culture. “Particular meaning” relates to “ways of thinking.” Note: Think through the activity above before taking the “Inquiry-Based-Inquiry” challenge below as later class discussions of your decisions require justification.
EXAMPLE: “A symbol is anything that carries a particular meaning recognized by people who share a culture.” Examples are a word, a whistle, a wall of graffiti, a flashing red light, or a raised fist. (p.61) Does “symbols” fit under “Ways of thinking”, “Ways of acting”, or “Material objects?” Keep in mind that there are not “right” answers, but there can be “better” answers. Since ways of thinking can lead to ways of acting, and ways of acting can lead to creating material objects, they are all closely related. Your decisions are predictions;
Directions: Your task is to meet the challenge of deciding and defending where you would put the new information in the conceptual framework above where you see the question marks (?). You do need to support, or justify or make it reasonable to believe in your decision.
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