Northwestern University

A couple of weeks ago, I visited Northwestern University’s main campus in Evanston, Chicago. It was my first time, and thus was curious to compare it to Qatar’s campus. I was extremely surprised with large number of students involved in extra curricular activities and clubs, and most importantly their respect towards Northwestern’s traditions and rituals. During today’s class, I thought the functionalist theory was extremely similar to the social structure in NUE. The campus is stable, orderly and systematic. Everybody has a specific role and are divided into groups; resulting with the lively and outspoken campus we have today. They all collaborate together and respect one another’s opinions, even though they may not agree with it. For example, there are many accapella groups, sororities and frat houses spread across campus, and although each group may have different personalities, they all acknowledge each other in a mature manner. I believe this campus also relates to the functionalist theory because without the help and organization of these students, professors and faculty, Northwestern university wouldn’t be moving forward. The campus would not be stable or as productive. Even social problems such as two clubs fighting over the historical Northwestern rock can make a positive contribution to the society. This will motivate them to stick to the rules to see if the other group will give up on guarding the treasured totem. It will also allow the Daily Northwestern to have a story to write about. Another concept that we covered in class today, which reminded me of Northwestern’s main campus, was the idea of collective effervescence. During my trip, there was a baseball game that is extremely popular amongst Northwestern students. There are a certain number of seats saved for students in NUE and usually there is an extremely large turn out. During this event, there is a shared feeling of identity in which each student experiences waves of similar emotions and a sense of togetherness. They are all rooting for Chicago and wear Northwestern jerseys and sweatshirts to support their team. This is also considered a ritual as it forces students from different groups and organizations to gather together and reinforce their collective identity. Why do we have students, professors and faculty in Northwestern University and what do they contribute to that specific community? Why do we have different organizations and clubs? Why is there a different positions and roles for every individual? Without this structure, Northwestern University would not be able to manage all of their students or provide everyone with an activity that meets their needs and expectations. Although many sociologists criticize this theory, I personally believe it is an excellent fit for this university. Photos: The first photo is one of the many acapella groups in Northwestern. They are called Purple Haze. The second photo is how the rock looked like after we painted it. The third and fourth photo are from online sources

Caste System In India

Back in the day in India, when the West still believed the Earth was flat, the society was very much structured. Think of a multi-storied building, with the ground floor housing the lowest ranking class of people and the highest-ranking members living the life in the penthouse. Being on the lowest rung of the social structure, this class of people known as “Shudras” are the ones who do all the menial and dirty work. They are heavily oppressed and shunned by the other classes. As one moves higher up the social strata, they come across many class-oriented professions, such as middle-class businessmen, soldiers etc.



The highest-ranking members were the most revered and also considered sacred. They were seen as the pathway towards God. One thing that should be made sure is that this stratification occurs mainly in Hinduism, which is the primary religion of India. The highest-class is known as the “Brahmin” class and exists to this day, performing their duties mainly as priests. However, the fee paid to the Brahmins for performances of sacrifice and other religious rituals were grossly materialistic. They also try to maintain as much distance from the lowest class as possible. The kings and warriors come under another class called the "Kshatriyas" and the skilled and professionals are classified as "Vaishyas" in the caste system. One interesting fact that was very much prevalent in those times ,but abolished since then, was “untouchability.” The “shudras” were labelled as untouchables and were considered religiously unclean. Touching them or having any sort of contact both directly and indirectly was considered inauspicious and the person becomes an untouchable himself, even if he was of the highest caste.



People don’t choose to be of any caste. They are born into it. Since those dark yet rich days, this caste system has become illegal. However, in many remote parts of the country, they are still prevalent, putting a dark mark on the otherwise respectable nation of India.

Doors, Doors, Doors!

We usually never pay attention to the way a door is decorated. When focusing on family and staff members in NU-Q (Northwestern University in Qatar), we can get a closer picture of their identity simply by observing their doors. This may sound funny, but we can get a wide range of information about that person just by looking at their office door and its surroundings. Such information includes their role, their achieved status, and their ascribed status.



What do those doors symbolize? After going around looking at the faculty and staff offices of NU-Q, we can see some sort of an emerging social structure. Since the faculty offices are dispersed around the CMU-Q Carnegie Mellon University arc, there is a difference between the first half and the second half of the arc.



One of the halves seems to be livelier than the other, having images of cartoons and posters on doors. Both halves represent professionalism, with articles posted on their doors. It is evident that quotes appear on more than one office. Some professors choose to have their office hours printed on a sheet of paper outside their doors.




As for name tags, each office has one placed on the right hand side of the door. Name tags symbolize achieved status, occupation, and different titles. The cartoons on doors symbolize humor, or can also highlight the professor’s hobby. One of the cartoons is cut out of a newspaper and it is about academia and academic jokes. This indicates his role, which is an academic, and other academics will get this humor. It is a status indicator.




When looking at the other side of the arc, we can see an interesting contrast between both sides. Most of the faculties on this side are journalism professors. One has an evil-eye door hanger. This highlights which culture they are coming from, believing in the evil-eye myth. Student works and photos are also evident, and along with that there are old flyers that have not been removed. In addition, some professors have book covers, ones that they have published, printed and stuck on the doors, also highlighting their social status.



An interesting observation is the use of a Northwestern print doormat. This is only apparent in the offices of both deans, showing that they hold a higher position in the professional hierarchy than the other faculty and staff members, highlighting their status.



Most of the office doors are open with the lights on. This tells a lot, that they are usually present in office and ready for anyone. When doors are closed with the lights on, the professors are usually busy doing something, or they can have their doors closed to avoid noise.



A number of professors have very little information on their doors, if any. They are careful as to what information they expose. In organizations such as Qatar Foundation, they do not give a list of what you can or cannot put on the door. Therefore, they have a free choice.



The student services section is much more vibrant and has a lot going on. Most offices have whiteboards on their doors, as well as paper clocks to indicate what time they will be back in office. Those are there so that students can find them at all times. One difference is a lot of the student affairs staff do not have office hours, which is why they have whiteboards and clocks. Those whiteboards show status and role of the staff member. The academics adviser has the busiest office, being very colorful. To me, I think that her office is the liveliest. She also has this coexist sign that symbolizes diversity and tolerance.






Therefore, we can say that even an office door can give off a lot of information about the person, representing their role and status in society.