Friday, May 1, 2015

Lifelong Effects of Inequality

After a class with Dr. Valerie Jenness, I decided to do a little research on how inequality at a young age adversely affects people as adults. There’s quite a bit of information out there regarding the topic. It seems to almost be equated to a stressor in an environment.

As stress agent, inequality can cause health problems. If a person is born into a stressful situation and lives his/her first few years in that environment, that person can potentially be damaged for life. Kind of scary if you think about it. On the flipside, a person born in a harmonious environment can have little to no stress related issues caused from childhood. In the latter situation, the child typically has more access to proper healthcare. The situation where inequality is prevalent can prevent the child from learning and growing properly.

There was a sizeable flaw with the studies I researched. Many of them based their numbers on quantitative data in the form of tax documents. By using this method, only the upper to middle class are measured while many members of the lower class are not even touched. The other issue is the people are reporting their health themselves and there is no mention of the doctors’ records. For all we know, these people could be lying. It does raise an interesting topic though that I’ll need to discuss with Dr. Valerie Jenness next class.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Overview of Professor Valerie Jenness lecture by Student

    The Rights of Prostitutes and the Legalities of Prostitution- An Overview


Attending a lecture given by Dr. Valerie Jenness is an eye-opening experience. She has a way of opening your eyes to see the unseen and your ears to hear the unheard. Her latest lecture intrigued me to delve deeper into a topic I’ve often wondered about…the rights of prostitutes and the legalities of prostitution.

Should prostitution be legal in the U.S. like in Amsterdam? Let’s weigh it out. Prostitution is technically a business where supply and demand exists, money is exchanged, and “business” to consumer is observed. If it is operating as an actual business with an LLC or other official business license, then shouldn’t the workers have rights? One would think so. Prostitutes are people too and should not be tossed aside like they don’t exist. These people chose another path in life by using their bodies for money. Is it really that bad of a thing or is everyone else just jealous?

In ancient times, women in this field were called courtesans. They were some of the most intelligent women because they were the only women allowed into libraries and taught to read. The courtesans were often despised by females born into the wealthier families. They had freedom to do and say as they please and could influence the most powerful men of their time. Prostitution was treated as a legitimate business and was accepted by all.

If we are to treat it as a normal business today, then prostitutes should have rights as well. They should be able to have a say in their working conditions and pay. These people are still humans that live and breath as we all do.


A big thank you to Dr. Valerie Jenness for helping myself and others think outside of the box we live in.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Social Ecology with Professor Valerie Jenness - Student Reviews 2


Student Review of Valerie Jenness’s Hate Crimes Class

"I took Professor Jenness’s Hate Crimes Class several years ago. It’s a difficult class to take, especially if you have other classes to do. There was a lot of reading (around 65 articles) but as I was already very interested in Hate Crimes, I wasn't put off by the reading we were instructed to do. You must do the readings and attend every lecture in order to pass this course but it was completely worth it!"

"The tests were difficult and really detailed but Professor Jenness is a fantastic teacher. She’s a great mentor and you should do as she asks you to do and you will be sure to do well in this class. Professor Jenness got me through this class as shes a fantastic lecturer, has a great sense of humour and she has a unique way of keeping you interested in the class."

"Professor Jenness loves what she does and is still so interested in her field up to this day – You can tell because she uses present day examples as well as history. All in all, Professor Jenness is incredibly knowledgeable, fair, entertaining, up to date, passionate and helpful. What more could you ask for in a Professor?"

"I would take her class again any day. The knowledge and skills I gained from Professor Jenness really pushed my ability to work in the field of Sociology Research after I graduated. If you are not prepared to make the effort, don’t take this class, you will fail but if you follow the guidance of this great professor, you will do absolutely fine." 

Friday, February 6, 2015

Hate Crimes Class with Professor Valerie Jenness


An Insight Into Studying With Valerie Jenness



I finished Professor Jenness’s course on Hate Crimes last year – What a course! Yes, it is hard but this is a University, not a high school! There’s a lot of reading involved. There’s no textbook but there’s a lot of articles and you absolutely must read them. I love this subject, so I was happy to read it.

Professor Jenness is hot on attendance. You must go to every lecture otherwise you will definitely struggle. The reason you must got to every lecture is because the detailing is unrivaled! My advice would be to do the work she sets, make sure you attend and I’m sure you will do fine in this class.

Professor Jenness is a GREAT lecturer. She has an awesome sense of humor which I think is so important in keeping people engaged. She has a real passion for Sociology in whole and its clear that even after her extensive experience; she’s still just as interested and proud of her work. Yes, her grading is hard but it is very fair.

I will take away a lot from this class. It’s been hard work but I want to write about Sociology and Professor Jenness is an inspiration for me not only because I had the pleasure to study under her but also because of the books that she herself has written.

This was a FANTASTIC class! I recommend it to everyone who is willing to work hard and is particularly interested in hate crimes. If you work hard, you’re sure to get a good grade.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Social Ecology with Professor Valerie Jenness - Student Reviews

Student Review of Valerie Jenness’s Hate Crimes Class


"I took Professor Jenness’s Hate Crimes Class several years ago. It’s a difficult class to take, especially if you have other classes to do. There was a lot of reading (around 65 articles) but as I was already very interested in Hate Crimes, I wasn’t put off by the reading we were instructed to do. You must do the readings and attend every lecture in order to pass this course but it was completely worth it!"

 
"The tests were difficult and really detailed but Professor Jenness is a fantastic teacher. She’s a great mentor and you should do as she asks you to do and you will be sure to do well in this class. Professor Jenness got me through this class as she’s a fantastic lecturer has a great sense of humour and she has a unique way of keeping you interested in the class."

 
"Professor Jenness loves what she does and is still so interested in her field up to this day – You can tell because she uses present day examples as well as history. All in all, Professor Jenness is incredibly knowledgeable, fair, entertaining, up to date, passionate and helpful. What more could you ask for in a Professor?"

 
"I would take her class again any day. The knowledge and skills I gained from Professor Jenness really pushed my ability to work in the field of Sociology Research after I graduated. If you are not prepared to make the effort, don’t take this class, you will fail but if you follow the guidance of this great professor, you will do absolutely fine."