Overview of Sociology “The systematic study of human social life, groups and societies” (HSP textbook) Covers almost anything that involves people

For Example: MACRO SOCIOLOGY (BIG STUFF)MICRO SOCIOLOGY (SMALL STUFF) POLITICAL IDEOLOGIESORIGINS OF SOCIOLOGY ECONOMICSAGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION CRIME & JUSTICETHEORIES OF SOCIALIZATION GOVERNMENTEUTHANASIA MILITARYCORPORAL PUNISHMENT HEALTH CARECAPITAL PUNISHMENT EDUCATIONLEGALIZATION / DECRIMINALIZATION OF DRUGS RELIGIONGERENTOLOGY DEMOGRAPHICSTHE ROLE OF THE MEDIA GLOBALIZATIONFACTORS AFFECTING GROUP BEHAVIOUR (PRIMARY & SECONDARY) PREDJUDICE & DISCRIMINATION

Macrosociology Macrosociology studies large-scale social structures in order to determine how they affect the lives of groups and individuals. Political Ideologies- Communism vs Capitalism, etc

Microsociology Microsociology studies face-to-face and small- group interactions in order to understand how they affect the larger patterns and institutions of society. Situational determinants- how crowds influence individual behaviour

Example of Sociological Macro-analysis Sociologist Christine Williams from U of Texas took a macro- level approach to studying women in male-dominated occupations and men in female-dominated occupations. Women in male-dominated positions faced limits on their advancement (the glass ceiling), while men in female- dominated positions experienced rapid rates of advancement (the glass escalator).

Example of Sociological Micro-analysis Pam Fishman of UCSB took a micro-level approach to studying issues of power in male – female relationships. She found that in conversation, women ask nearly three times as many questions as men do

The Origins of Sociology Industrial revolution Late 1800’s Urbanization Population intensification = Societal problems “Can’t we all just get along” Sociology is political…

Schools of thought in Sociology (5) 1.Structural-Functionalism: Societies need certain things to function (education, reproduction, socializing, certain goods). Societies set up structures to perform these needed functions. 2. Neo-Marxism: Economic power = political power. To understand society look at the economy and the great differences in power created by $$$. 3.Symbolic Interactionism: Structures in society don’t need to be studied, it is all individual. We need to look at the individual mind and motivations to understand society.

Schools of thought in Sociology Con’t 4.Feminist Theory: The key to understanding society is studying gender inequality. Most structures in society are sexist and need to be reformed. Historically women’s work has been undervalued. 5.Inclusionism: You cannot study society by looking through the eyes of the majority ( ie. white males in N.Am.). You have to recognize the experiences of all ethnic minorities in order to understand societies.

Sociology Groups Institutions Functionalist Theory on Institutions: -Institutions serve the basic needs of a society & contribute to the common good -Like parts of a body (heart, lungs, stomach…) each part contributes to healthy functioning of others & overall health Conflict Theory on Institutions: -Over time institutions have come to serve the needs of the few-the wealthy of course -Wealthy control major corporations, they finance political parties in order to get their interests into law…