Sociology Courses | March 15, 2006

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

Sociology of Violence/Biology Combo Class | 2nd Period

"First of all, I'd like to welcome the Biology students joining us today. Please take a seat anywhere. I'll give a short lecture, and then feel free to join in class discussion with the Sociology students. Your perspectives will be refreshing."

Lecture on the Biology of Violence



Treatment is very difficult because no specific genes have been found that control criminal tendencies; rather, a genetic basis has been implied for personality characteristics that could lead to criminal tendencies, such as aggression, impulsiveness, and risk-taking. Ridding society of these characteristics might decrease crime rates, but it would also leave society lacking in many departments. How effective would explorers or fighter pilots be at their jobs if they lacked these vital characteristics? If risk-taking was eliminated from our culture, would we still have sports or an effective military? These personality traits might contribute to possible criminal behavior, but they also contribute much of what is necessary and exciting about our culture. Before scientists continue in this search for a "cure," they must consider whether it would truly be beneficial to our society. Some would argue that the risks in this instance would outweigh the benefits; our society currently has a system organized to deal with the effects of crime, but no one can even hypothesize as to the ramifications of a culture lacking aggression, impulsiveness, and risk-taking. This "cure" might actually put our society at a disadvantage in terms of military capabilities, athletic ability, and artistic talent. Would it be worth it?
(Cribbed from the above link)

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Sociology of the Paranormal | 6th Period

Grissom is still in a lab coat when he arrives to class. "First thing, I want to apologize. Your exams have not been graded yet because I'm still waiting for a few of them because I've had some, uhhhhh, personal, umm, I unfortunately didn't have time to complete them. You'll receive them back on Monday."

Grissom then gives a lecture on terminology and basic history of Paganism and Neo-Paganism as background for the upcoming projects, and then dismisses class early.

Comments

Re: After Class : 3/15

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"You don't have to do anything," she agreed. "But I seem to recall you telling me that if you could do anything to make up for what you did to me, you would."

Re: After Class : 3/15

[demonbelthazor]

...

Bel flailed. A little.

"Are you trying to say you'd start to forgive me if I kissed Angel?" he said.

Re: After Class : 3/15

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"Forgive might be a little strong," she said, "but I'd be much more inclined to believe you meant what you said about not hurting people any more if you went along with this."

Re: After Class : 3/15

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe did a facepalm and then spread her fingers to look at her friend. "Ve-ro-ni-ca!"

Re: After Class : 3/15

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"What?" she asked innocently. "I'm just stating the obvious."

Re: After Class : 3/15

[demonbelthazor]

Bel groaned. "But if Angel doesn't want to, then it doesn't count against me, right?"

Re: After Class : 3/15

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"I can make you the same agreement that I made with Logan," she said. "If you show up and are willing, but Angel isn't, we're even."

Re: After Class : 3/15

[demonbelthazor]

"All right," Bel agreed reluctantly.

Re: After Class : 3/15

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe's jaw dropped as she heard Cole agree... especially since he had been so adamantly against it last night.

She looked at Veronica. "How do you do that?"

Re: After Class : 3/15

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"It's a gift."

Re: After Class : 3/15

[demonbelthazor]

"Of blackmail," Bel muttered under his breath.

Re: After Class : 3/15

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry, did you say something?"

Re: After Class : 3/15

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe gave both of them the patented Halliwell Look (tm) and turned n her heel and left the class before she either broke out in giggles or said something very snarky.

Why no, she's not a bit miffed that she had felt like shit about upsetting Cole last night and Veronica managed to get him to agree to do it in short order.

Re: After Class : 3/15

[demonbelthazor]

Cole hurried after her. "C'mon Phoebe, don't be mad," he pleaded.

Re: After Class : 3/15

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

Veronica watched them leave and managed not to chuckle.

Two down, one to go.

She headed off for the dorms to work her magic on Angel.