Explore how you are part of “living history.” Observe how human behavior and social distancing during
the COVID-19 pandemic has changed your local environment.
Spend several hours exploring your local area until you can draw a sociological map of the community,
with emphasis on the commercial district. How are “mom and pop” small business stores coping with the
pandemic vs. “big box” chain stores? Walk at minimum 6 blocks around your neighborhood, and create a
map of the area you walked. The map should indicate the demographics of people and types of buildings
found in different places (i.e., “newer housing units,” “student apartments,” new shopping
establishments,” commercial/residential/historical districts etc.). Identify the cultural patterns you see by
observing the norms/social culture of public behavior while practicing “Social Distancing.”
Interview people you know (practice social distancing!) and find out about their experiences with the
COVID-19 pandemic in your community. Add direct quotes in your paper and attach the formal interview to
your final paper. Think about which elements of society/historical trends you see impacting the different
types of demographic groups you are observing. How was your local City Council person taken action in
your community during pandemic?
- Map of your community area researched. Highlight the area you walked, and label sociological
attributes.
This may be a Google map, but you must add in your own sociological observations on a legend. Must be
attached to the paper.
- Who is your NYC council person? What committees are they involved in the Council? Do you think they
represent your community? Why or why not? What has their response been to the COVID-19 pandemic?
How have you seen their work in the community?
- Discuss the role of the Community Board in your community. Look at past agenda meeting notes to find
the main concerns of your community. What are some of the most surprising aspects you learned about
these meetings?
- What is the brief history of your neighborhood? What has changed over the years and why? (Think of
economics, jobs, industry, immigration, demographics, socioeconomic status). - Discuss current demographics of your neighborhood using Social Explorer (LAGCC library subscription
database). Do these statistics match what you saw on your walk? - Relate to any of the themes discussed in class. Specifically which Sociological Theoretical Approach
did you use?