The Cost of Gendered Objects

Do Men or Women Pay More? Gender Pricing Exposed -- CBC, 2014, 15:36 -- https://youtu.be/vKvHB5RLf3Q

A look at the price differences between men's and women's items in Walmart, Target, and Hudson's Bay. Spoiler-- Women pay more across the board (this has been called a Pink Tax). We also get to see a marketing team create fictional gendered toothpaste and are given information as to how we can combat gender price discrimination. Although this video is from Canada it touches on New York City's legislation barring such discrimination. Yet laws can't solve this issue alone as a 2015 study from the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs found that, on average, women's products were 7% more expensive than similar products for men. This more recent study is discussed in another short video from CBS News.       

Drug Laws, Xenophobia, and Propaganda

The Sinister Reason Weed is Illegal -- CollegeHumor, 2016, 6:02 -- https://youtu.be/CJlqsdezhhk

From the show Adam Ruins Everything, this video explores the xenophobic origins of US marijuana laws and briefly touches on the political rationale behind the War on Drugs. 

Surveillance Camera Man

Why Does Everyone Hate Surveillance Camera Man? -- The Verge, 2014, 5:27 -- https://youtu.be/X9sVqKFkjiY

This fascinating video asks a question ripe for sociological analysis-- Why do we accept structural or institutional surveillance but reject individual surveillance? Are they not the same thing? In an age where cameras are ubiquitous this issue lends itself to a discussion students find engaging and meaningful. You can use this to discuss levels of analysis (institutions vs individuals), power and social control (active vs. passive surveillance), the law's ability to keep pace with technological development (personal drones, for instance), and much more...

Russell Brand and Marxism

Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe -- BBC, 2015, 4:11 -- https://youtu.be/DEjbFBmRgHA

A brilliant satire on comedian Russell Brand's communist/socialist politics. Students generally recognize Brand (formerly married to singer Katy Perry) and although this is humorous marxist rhetoric, it is nevertheless true. In the Truevolution episodes, Brand analyzes commercials (aka "mind control pellets") demonstrating how they preserve the status quo of inequality and social oppression. The language used here is particularly impressive and serves as a fine example of the conflict perspective applied to everyday life. 

Introduction-- https://youtu.be/anc51ErPBxg?t=2m47s
Truevolution 1 (commercials & Ikea): https://youtu.be/bSmP4q3oQ6c?t=18m22s
Truevolution 2 (kids shows): https://youtu.be/3An8mzU1HGE?t=9m40s
Russell Brand as Prime Minister: https://youtu.be/EKDKt0lh3Y0

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0520y52

The Collective Shaming of Deviance on Benefits Street

Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe -- BBC, 2014, 6:26 -- https://youtu.be/JkrX5J73Vi4

This is a humorous example from the UK of the functional role of deviant behavior. We see society come together to shame those receiving benefits from the state (known as welfare in the US). This is also an insightful example of how deviants are exploited for entertainment and ridicule. "Poverty porn" would be a good term to discuss in addition to the many sociological concepts evident in the clip.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qgvsc

Status Symbols in Pop Culture

Why Rappers Love Grey Poupon -- Vox, 2016, 10:04 -- https://youtu.be/jOgPk5T1xi0

An example of how the social class system and status symbols can be found in pop culture.

Pro-Tips: (1) Show your class the original Grey Poupon commercial before this video; (2) Buy a jar of Grey Poupon and some popsicle sticks (or small spoons) so your students can taste the opulence.

Men Embracing Multiple Masculinities

The New Wave of American Masculinity -- Vice Media, 2016, 22:11 -- https://youtu.be/jzgDtmAGeBg

A humorous look into how modern American men negotiate the pressures of the masculine ideal. We get an outsider perspective here too as the host is from the UK. Jump to 6:09 to see what a biological determinist thinks of sociology. If you want to take this a step further with your class, analyze the comments left on this video's YouTube page. For some reason, men do not react well when their gender identity is discussed outside of the traditional macho-man context. For in the words of one particular commenter, it is the "pussification of our dignity" ...