1. Unit 1: Culture & Social Structure Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective
The social world guides our life choices just as the seasons influence our selection of activities and clothing.

2. What is sociology? Mind map!!!
Definition: The social science that studies human society and social behavior.
What is a social science?
The disciplines that study human social behavior or institutions and functions of human society in a scientific manner.

3. Sociologists are interested in…
Social interaction
How people relate to one another and influence each other’s behavior.
How has this happened to you?
Focus on the group, rather than the individual.
Examine Social Phenomena
Observable facts or events that involve human society.

4. The Sociological Perspective
Looking beyond commonly held beliefs to the hidden meanings behind human actions.
People are all social beings.
Behavior is influenced by social factors
You have learned your behavior from others
See your own day-to-day life through another’s eyes.
Balance b/t personal desires and environmental demands
Social environment shapes you, and you shape it

5. Let’s test our sociological perspective:
Write 2-3 paragraphs pretending you are a person with at least 3 of the following characteristics. Indicate which ones you chose!
30-40 years older
Different race, indicate which one
Different religion
Different sexual preference
50 years ago
Different gender
Different part of the United States
Much more/less money to your name

6. Mills & the Sociological Imagination
C. Wright Mills
Sociological Imagination:
The capacity to range from the most impersonal and remote [topics] to the most intimate features of the human self – and to see the relations between the two”.
Connection b/t the larger world and your personal life.

8. How does Sociology compare with other social sciences? Take quiz!
Economics
Study of choices people make in an effort to satisfy their needs and wants.
Sociologists study the effects of economic factors on societies.
Political Science
Organization and operation of gov’t.
Sociologists study voting patterns, politically based groups, etc.
History
Study of past events
Sociologists study past events to explain current behaviors/attitudes
Anthropology
Comparative study of past and present cultures.
Sociology wants group behavior in more complex societies.
Psychology
Mind and behavior of individual.
Sociology focuses on the group.

9. Sociology: Then and Now
Didn’t develop until the 1800’s
Industrial Revolution in Europe
Caused social and political change to emphasize sociology…. How so?
People left homes
Rural to urban
Rapid urbanization, city problems
Unemployment, poverty
New focus caused by individual rights movements
American and French Revolution
Civil Rights Movement… any others?
How society was influenced by all these things became a very hot/interesting topic for some.

10. Important Sociological Thinkers
Split into five groups:
Each group will study their important Sociological contributor & teach to the class.
Each group must:
Provide some background information.
Explain their importance to the field
i.e. Significant contributions.
How they were received by the public.
How their theories stand today.
Put this information in a five slide max power point with at least three images.
Group assignments:
Group 1 – Auguste Comte
Group 2 – Herbert Spencer
Group 3 – Karl Marx
Group 4 – Emile Durkheim
Group 5 – Max Weber

11. Little more about Sociology
Examines the forces that compel so many to behave in a similar way:
Alcohol, drugs addicts
Examine nature vs. nurture
Ah, the theatre
How sociologist view common human situations
Boy meets girl – descries two basic sociological concepts:
Role
Social structure
Role – expected performance of someone who occupies a specific position. Each position has established a script that suggests appropriate line, gesture and behavior
Social structure – the larger structure of the play in which the roles are played
Family

12. First Sociologists: Auguste Comte: 1798-1857
Founder of sociology
Coined the term sociology
Applied methods of physical science to the study of social life
Tried to find solutions to the chaos caused by the French Revolution
Theory of Statics – social structure
Hold society together
Theory of Dynamics – social process
Society changing

13. Karl Marx: 1818-1883 Father of communism
Believed that structure of society is influenced by how the economy is organized
Bourgeoisie (capitalists)
Proletariat (workers)
Thought that people who own the means of production control society
Social scientists should be social activists
Trouble due to capitalist system…class divisions.
Conflict is the cause of social change

14. Herbert Spencer: 1820-1903 Was influenced by views of Charles Darwin
Social Darwinism
Asserted that the fittest societies would survive over time
“Sociology can become a science only when it is based on the idea of natural evolution”
Believed that social change and unrest were natural occurrences in society’s evolution towards stability and perfection

15. Emile’ Durkheim:
Taught first social science course in France
Developed the idea of a function-positive consequence that an element of society has for the maintenance of a social system
Studied function of religion in maintaining social order
Values and beliefs hold society together.
Study only what is observable (Phenomena) and test it using statistical analysis
Used approach in a study on suicide

16. Max Weber:
Focused on effect of society on the individual/small groups
Uncover the thoughts and feelings of an individual, not just observable
To do… use Verstehen
Try to put yourself in the place of others and see situations through their eyes… what do we call this?
Used concept of ideal type – essential characteristic of some aspect of society

17. Current Sociological Perspectives: Functionalist Theory
Aka: Consensus Theory
Comte, Spencer and Durkheim
All society’s parts are independent and function as one organism.
Society is held together through consensus of norms and values
Function equals positive, dysfunction equals negative
Manifest – intended consequence, Latent – unintended consequence
Want to know everything’s function! (especially education & family)
Macro sociology

18. Current Sociological Perspectives: Conflict Theory
Marx
Focus on the forces in society that promote competition and change.
Interested in violent and non-violent competition b/t different people
Ex: decision making in families, relationships among racial groups, disputes between workers and employees, etc.
How do people who have power over others, keep it?
Constant change in conflict due to inequality among different groups.
Disagreement over distribution of power and/or resources (those who are in charge seek to stay in charge)
Some have resources… others don’t… what happens next?
Competition, structured inequality, and revolution… changes occur as a result.
Macro Sociology

19. Current Sociological Perspectives: Interactionist Theory
Focuses on how individuals interact with one another in society (Weber)
How do individuals respond to each other in everyday situations?
Why do we attach meanings to our own actions & to the actions of others
For example – road rage
Symbolic interaction – how we use symbols in our interactions
To be a symbol, society must agree on its meaning
Ex: objects, gestures, words, events,
Micro Sociology