Sociology Courses | February 6, 2006

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

Sociology of Violence: 2nd Period

"Welcome, everyone. Veronica, thank you for covering class last week."

*handwave* Grissom launches into a lecture on Gang Violence *handwave*

"Now, as I mentioned, gangs tend to adopt colors, or other means of identification. For discussion today, I'd like you to describe a gang symbol that you have seen, whether in your life or through the media, and discuss why you believe it was or is used by that group."

Homework: Read Community and Institutional Responses to the Youth Gang Problem by Irving A. Spergel and Ron L. Chance.

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Sociology of the Paranormal: 6th Period

"Hello, class. Bel, I appreciate your efforts last week, covering the class. I have also recorded all your grades from the quiz."

Grissom then give Marty a sorrowful look. A C-? Woe.

*handwave* Grissom launches into a lecture on Out-of-Body Experiences *handwave*

"Now unfortunately, I'm not allowed to give you all ketamine or put you through extreme sensory deprivation or a near death experience, so we can't replicate the condition as a lab assignment," Grissom says with a grin, because seriously, drugs are bad and he's obviously kidding.

"However, as out-of-body experiences are far more prevalent than many other types of paranormal activity, if any of you have had these experiences, or know someone who has, I'd like you to share. And if not, I'd ask you to discuss why or why not you believe in the concept."

Homework: Grissom hands out a packet to read for Wednesday. Very. Serious. Reading. Kind of. Also, please bring your jackets and weather appropriate clothes. As long as it doesn't rain, we'll be outside.

[IMPORTANT: For next class, I need you to read this short post and leave a comment there. Please, please. It's going to be fun, and it's very easy! I promise.]

Comments

Re: Paranormal: 2/6

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

First Sam wonders what exactly this Marty kid has done to earn such a look of woe from a teacher. Obviously from his quiz grade and the fact that everyone in the school seems to want to kill him probably means he's not very smart to begin with.

When the class topic comes up about OBE's, Sam begins to get the heebie-jeebies.

"Um. Well... I knew this one guy who claimed that he had several out of body experiences. He'd jump from body to body of a person trying to set things right and go throughout different time periods. Of course, you know he was probably nuts," Sam says feeling extremely awkward.

Re: Paranormal: 2/6

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

Grissom quirks up an eyebrow at Marty.

"I see. But why do you feel he was nuts? Do you think there was any possible validity to his stories, or was he truly insane?"

Re: Paranormal: 2/6

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Sam was feeling very uncomfortable talking about this kind of thing in a public setting. "Well... it kind of goes into your next lecture actually. He believed he was a time travler that lept from body to body. I have no idea whether or not the claim was valid. It does sound pretty ludicrous though."

Re: Paranormal: 2/6

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"Considering everything you've seen here, Martin, this seems rather unusual for you to be so skeptical. I've come to expect a certain level of... well, sarcastic acceptance from you."

Grissom's smiling, but giving Marty an odd look, wondering if his strange behavior in telling this story was because Marty totally iced the person in question.

"How would you determine, then, if the claim was valid or not. Any ideas?"