1. Sociology and the Real World (Part II)
Chapter 1:
Sociology and the Real World
(Part II)

2. “Clickers” BC Forum: Channel 42

3. Overview Historical Factors What is Theory? Theoretical Perspectives
Europe
MACRO
The U.S.
MICRO
New Theoretical Approaches
Tensions Within Sociology

4. The Blind Men and the Elephant By John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887)
It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind

5. The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: “God bless me! but the Elephant Is very like a wall!” The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried, “Ho! what have we here So very round and smooth and sharp? To me ’tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a spear!”

6. The Third approached the animal, And happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake: “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a snake!” The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the knee. “What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain,” quoth he; “‘Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!”

7. The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: “E’en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a fan! The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope, “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a rope!”

8. And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong! So oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen!

10. Historical Factors in the Development of Sociology

11. Historical Factors The emergence of social sciences
Borrowing from the natural sciences
Applying the scientific method to the study of the social world

12. Historical Factors The Industrial Revolution Invention:
Steam engine
Europe (in 19th Century)
Spread to U.S.
Social Change
Radical, rapid transformation of society and everyday life
New, widespread social problems

15. Historical Factors The French and American Revolutions
Political change
Overthrow monarchies
Democracy
Social change
Rights
Freedoms

16. Historical Factors Increases in travel Innovations in communications
Exposure to other societies
Compare and contrast
social systems
cultural practices
Innovations in communications
Rapid dissemination of information

20. Re-imagining the Industrial Revolution
In-Class Exercise
Re-imagining the Industrial Revolution

21. “THEORY” (also known as):
Approach
Perspective
School of Thought
Paradigm

22. Theory What Makes a Good Theory? What is Theory?
Broad, enduring
Subject to testing
prove, modify or disprove
Can adapt to social change
What is Theory?
Framework for understanding
Abstract proposition:
explains social world
makes predictions about future

24. The Roots of Sociology Auguste Compte (1798-1857)
Applied scientific method
Positivism
Knowledge gained directly through senses
Coined the term “Sociology”

25. The Roots of Sociology Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)
Interest in evolution
Societies (like organisms) evolve by adapting to changing environment
“Social Darwinism”
Coined the phrase
“Survival of the Fittest”

26. Sociological Theory 3 “Grand” Theories Other Theorists
MACRO (Europe 19th Century)
Functionalism
Conflict Theory
MICRO (U.S. 20th Century)
Interactionism
Other Theorists
Sigmund Freud (Ch. 4)
Max Weber (Ch. 5)

27. FUNCTIONALISM
Emile Durkheim 1858–1917

28. FUNCTIONALISM (Structural Functionalism)
Understanding rapid social change
Could society survive?
Focus on stability, cohesion and order
Social bonds exist in all societies
Mechanical solidarity
Shared traditions and beliefs
Organic solidarity
Division of labor and interdependence
Society is a system of interrelated parts
Each part helps meet needs of members
Social institutions

29. “The Elementary Forms of Religious Life”
Solidarity in secular society
Division of sacred and profane
Collective effervescence
Shared rituals
Collective conscience
Shared beliefs and values
Robert Merton
Manifest and latent functions
Intended and unintended consequences
Dysfunctions may arise
Not all are unhealthy
Can lead to social change

30. CONFLICT THEORY
Karl Marx 1818–1883

31. CONFLICT THEORY (Marxism)
Founded by Karl Marx
Marxism is NOT Communism
Looked at growth of Capitalism
Profit-driven private industry
Social inequality
Concern for the poor, working class masses
Marx’s vision:
A classless utopia
“From each according to his abilities,
To each according to his needs”

32. CONFLICT THEORY (Marxism)
The powerful protect their own interests
Domination, exploitation results in:
Resentment, resistance and rebellion
Or, “False consciousness” (acceptance of the dominant ideology)
Struggle leads to social change
“Revolutionary” class consciousness
Overthrow the status quo
Different groups compete over “scarce” resources
Tension between “haves” and “have-nots”
Class conflict
The Bourgeoisie
The ruling class (owners of the “means of production”)
The Proletariat
The working class

33. SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
George Herbert Mead
Herbert Blumer

34. SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM (Interactionism)
American branch of sociology
Early 20th Century
University of Chicago
“Chicago School” used the city as a social laboratory

35. Interactionism Face-to-face interaction and everyday life
Focus on symbols
meaningful representations
signs, gestures, language
Looks at how people:
create and interpret social reality
act toward each other based on their interpretations

37. Illustration: “The Slap”
Tenets:
We act toward things based on their meaning
Meanings are not inherent; rather they are derived through interaction
Meanings can change or be modified
Illustration: “The Slap”

38. Tensions in Early Sociology
Eurocentrism, sexism and racism
Accomplishments (praxis)
Jane Addams
1860–1935
W.E.B. DuBois 1868–1963

39. New Theoretical Approaches
What is the future of sociology?
POSTMODERNISM
Derrida, Foucault, Baurdrillard

40. Postmodernism New perspective for era (21st century)
Post-atomic
Information Revolution (Digital Age)
Characteristics of eras
Modernism
Reason, science, rationality, linear, universal
Postmodernism
Relative, fragmented, fluid, multidimensional, temporary
The “simulacra” (simulation or fake)
Virtual reality as good as (or better than) the real
Las Vegas theme hotels
Video: Holographic pop star (Japan)

42. Studying Social Life: Research Methods
Next …
Studying Social Life:
Research Methods