100960 Contemporary Society: Deferred Final Assessment Analysis

This assignment provides a comprehensive analysis of contemporary society, addressing key concepts such as globalization, the social construction of technology (SCOT), ecological footprint and interconnectedness, and the sociological aspects of sports. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of globalization, including its impact on culture, trade, and the environment, with a specific focus on Australia's experience. The assignment explains SCOT using the example of Bakelite to illustrate how social forces shape technology. It further explores the concept of ecological footprint and interconnectedness, highlighting the relationship between human actions and environmental degradation. Finally, it examines sports as a socially constructed activity, discussing deviance, conformity, gender issues, and violence within the Australian sports community. This detailed analysis is intended to provide a thorough understanding of the complexities of contemporary society.

Running head: ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Question 1
Globalisation is related to the highly increase in the flow of communication, people,
information and capital between different nations. The concept of globalisation is mainly
related to the world which is interdependent and interconnected. The process which is related
to the increase in the interconnection between different societies can also be termed as
globalisation. The increase in the flow of different commodities between countries is another
major effect of globalisation. Advances in the technology, abandonment of trade routes by
land and the rise of the global capitalism are major changes caused by globalisation
(Arvanitakis, 2016). Globalisation also causes an exchange of culture between different
countries as the flow of people increases. There are many advantages that of globalisation
and the connection that is formed between countries. Cosmopolitanism which refers to the
richer culture and increase in the diversity of nations is the major advantage of globalisation.
The world has become a much smaller place as the citizens of the different countries are
connected with each other. Free trade is another major effect that is caused by globalisation in
the countries. This factor helps in the exchange of goods between the various countries and
the living standards of the people also become higher. The process of globalisation has
negative effect on the nations as well. The exploitation of the developing nations with the
help of free trade is a major disadvantage of globalisation (Arvanitakis, 2016). The decline of
many countries have been caused due to globalisation and the rise that has happened in the
number of multi-national organizations. The decline of nations can cause the loss of heritage
and culture as well. The major changes that have occurred in the world due to social
movements caused as a result of globalisation are, suffering of women, class problems,
aboriginal equality, anti-war, gay rights, child labour. Globalisation also has many
environmental effects of the countries which have gone through this process. The economic
growth of Australia has been affected by the globalisation (Arvanitakis, 2016). Australia had

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opened up its economy to the foreign investment and privatization had taken place on a large
scale. The quality of life in Australia has increased after globalisation has occurred in the
country. Globalisation has provided huge access to the foreign organizations and the
investors so that they can conduct business in the country in a free manner and innovation can
also be facilitated. The end of the law of protectionism has helped in making Australia a
winner in the process of globalisation (Arvanitakis, 2016).
Question 2
Social Construction of technology theory or SCOT is a concept that is related to the
argument that human action is not determined by technology, rather technology is shaped by
human action. The way by which technology is used cannot be totally understood without
trying to understand the technology which is embedded in the social context. SCOT is mainly
response that is provided to technological determinism and it is sometimes also called
technological constructivism. SCOT mainly consists of those people who try to understand
the main reasons related to rejection or the acceptance of the technology related to the social
world (Arvanitakis, 2016). The explanation of the success related to a technology is
sometimes not enough and the researchers need to analyse deeply that what are the criteria
upon which the best technology is being defined. The researchers need to question the way by
which the technology is defined. SCOT can just not be said as theory, it is mainly a
methodology. The principles and steps related to the analysis of the failures and success of
technology are formalized by SCOT. The theory of SCOT was introduced in the year 1984 by
Pinch and Bijker. The problems and their relevant solutions are characterised with the help of
different innovations that are constructed by stakeholders (Arvanitakis, 2016). SCOT mainly
views the rise and development of technology as a process which is interactive in nature.
SCOT can also be defined as the most interactive sociotechnical process that helps in the
shaping of all the forms of technology. The sociology related to the technology and science

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are treated in a different manner in case of SCOT. The perspective of knowledge to be held as
a social construction is mainly related to the advancement of technology in the modern world.
The progress and advancement of science is related to the social forces which include,
political, economic and psychological influences as well.
Example of SCOT – Bakelite – The example of plastic Bakelite can be used to depict
the ways by which the social forces can shape technology. Bakelite started as an artificial
substitute of varnish in the early days of its invention. The product did not achieve success in
the market and then the accidental dumping related to the different materials proved that it
can be moulded in different ways. The innovation of this component led to the use of plastic
for many other purposes which was not predicted by the company in the beginning.
Question 3
Ecological footprint is related to the measure of load that is provided by a certain
population on the nature. This mainly represents the area of land that is necessary so that the
current level of the consumption of resource and the discharge by the population can be
sustained. The demand that is placed by humans on the ecosystems of the Earth can be
defined as ecological footprint. The Earth possesses a particular ecological capacity which
helps in the regeneration and thereby to keep providing services and raw materials by
recycling air, absorbing waste and cleaning soil. The ecological burden that is placed by
humans can be measured against the natural capacity of Earth. If the overall burden of
humanity is higher than the amount the Earth can absorb, then the ecological footprint of
humans on the Earth is greater than 1. The different inhabitants of the Earth have different
levels of ecological footprint and if the total ecological footprint is greater than 1, then it
depicts that the ecological burden is being overshot (Arvanitakis, 2016).

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Interconnectedness is related to the process by which the parts of a particular system
are connected with each other. The changes that occur in some part of the system can
negatively affect the other parts. This process holds true for both the nature and humans as
well. The humans are connected in many ways to the natural environment and the Earth as a
whole. The different parts of nature are equally connected with each other. The concept of
interconnection applies for the degradation of the environment or any type of natural disasters
as well. Interconnectedness also includes the concept of interdependence. The way by which
the different parts of a system are strongly united is related to the concept of interdependence.
Humans are dependent on the various other species that are present in the nature and they
receive their food from the animals and plants. It can be said that all the parts of the nature
are connected and dependent on each other. The degradation occurring in some parts will
have immense effect on all the other parts as the entire ecosystem is affected. The most
difficult task for the human species is to adjust to the nature and trying to control their
ecological footprints. For example, the over usage of land by humans has led to the cutting
down of trees and this has resulted in soil erosion and many other problems (Arvanitakis,
2016).
Question 4
Sports is considered as a social constructed activity which is mainly supposed to
enforce many number of normative traits. The key terms related to sport can be deviance,
under conformity, over conformity, sexuality and homophobia. Deviance is related to sports
in such a way so that it is viewed as a way by which deviant behaviour can be reduced. The
idolisation of some of the sportsmen is also related to this factor. Under conformity in sports
is related to the rejection of the various social norms that are related to the particular sport.
The different activities include, use of drugs, which consists of both illegal and legal usage,
example Lance Armstrong. Unsanctioned violence is another major factor related to under

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conformity in sports, example, Australian Swimming Team – London Olympics. The abuse
and sexual assault related any type of sport, example, Rugby League Players. Over
conformity or over acceptance is another behaviour related to sports. The game is above
everything else, for example extreme adherence (Arvanitakis, 2016). The distinction offered
through sport is another factor of over conformity. Injury and pain is a part of the game and
accepting the social norms without any question. Gender is another major factor that affects
sports in all way. The factors related to gender problem that affect sports are, sexuality,
homophobic, social construction of which gender plays which sport and hegemonic
masculinity. Deviant over conformity is related to the vulnerability of the athletes to the
demands that are made by his group which is combined with the desire related to the
reaffirmation or gain of the group membership which is a major factor in this case. Deviant
under conformity is related to the actions that are taken by the sportsperson by ignoring the
norms related to sports. Violence has been a major part of the Australian sports community
related to sport ethic. The violence is related to the insecurities that the players have in the
sports where high performance is required. The expressions that are related to violence are
different in the cases of different genders. The physicality of the sportsmen is also important
in creating the excitement and drama and special bonds between the female and the male
athletes. Under conformity is also exhibited by the Australian players related to different
sports where they tend to reject the rules and involve in cheating (Arvanitakis, 2016). The
illegal drug addiction of the players is also a negative behaviour that is depicted by the
Australian players in some situations.

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References
Arvanitakis, James. Sociologic: Analysing Everyday Life and Culture. 2016.