Assignment Questions:

1) Peter is fed up with the tedious and busy life as a university student. Today, he decided to have some “me-time” and stay alone in his locked bedroom at home. All his family members are out. He switched off his computer and mobile phone and stayed comfortably in his bed enjoying a precious moment of silence. Peter told himself, “Now that I am away from my family members, friends, classmates and teachers, I am finally out of the society.”

Question: To Peter, does the society exist at this very moment? If so, why? If not, why not? (Note: You are requested to choose a stance and explain your stance using concepts and ideas covered in class.)

2) Fred never felt the need of belonging to any group. Nonetheless, as a PolyU freshman, he feels obliged to join the orientation activities organized by his departmental society. Back at the activities, he did a lot of things that he would otherwise choose not to do. He hates speaking up; but he yelled loudly on the podium slogans he considered stupid. He enjoys eating alone; but he had lunch boxes and chatted with other students. He dresses to outstand himself; but he put on impersonal “departmental tee-shirt”, which made him looked exactly like other students. More importantly, Fred observed that lots of freshmen were willing to act the same way.

Question: From a sociological point of view, how would you explain Fred’s choice? Meantime, how would you explain the choice of those freshmen who did not join any orientation activity?