Sociological Theory Say Something!

Say Something Read the information on the slide…whether it’s a picture or written word Say Something about what you just read – Make a prediction – Ask a question – Clarify your thinking – Make a connection – Summarize the information so far Someone will respond to what you said That someone will then repeat the process

The Enlightenment (18 th c.) “Age of Reason” Emergence of the ideal of political liberty – Societies that were more democratic began to replace monarchies Political revolutions – French and American revolutions (1789 & 1776) Rise of science and rational thought – Ascendance of science, diminishing importance of “the church”

Industrial Revolution (19 th c.) Shift from agrarian to industrial Urbanization—“push and pull” economy Extremes of wealth and poverty

Changes Brought by the Industrial Revolution Inventions change the way we live and work, e.g. steam engine in Transportation and communication systems are greatly enhanced, e.g. trains, telegraph. Cities begin to dominate the western world. Creates a new social order with the rise of an influential middle class. Poor working conditions for lower classes eventually lead to new social and political movements. Desire for markets and resources entice Europeans to take over foreign lands (imperialism).

Origins of Sociology Sociology as a discipline is the product of two dramatic social changes: 1. The Enlightenment 2. The Industrial Revolution

Emile Durkheim Karl Marx Max Weber

Key Problem Understanding the social forces that produce social order and disorder

Emile Durkheim ( ) Key Concepts – Social Facts (They exist!) outside the individual, observable – Division of Labor Mechanical Solidarity vs. Organic Solidarity – Mechanical = more traditional, shared values, no division of labor – Organic = more modern, high division of labor, more integrated society, vast differences of opinion – Anomie Normlessness = condition of society in which people become detached from the norms that usually guide behavior

Key Problem Understanding how the economic system of capitalism affects society and its people

Karl Marx ( ) Key Concepts – Historical Materialism The development of societies is shaped by the ways humans produce life’s necessities – Class Struggle By its nature, capitalist society is contentious; conflict between workers (proletariat) and owners/capitalists (bourgeoisie) – Surplus Value The difference between what someone makes off your labor and what they pay you – False Consciousness Workers’ acceptance and defense of the capitalist system

Key Problems Effects of rationality on modern Society Response to Marx’s Economic Emphasis o Not simply economics that produce reality, you need culture too

Max Weber ( ) Key Concepts – Rationalization Oriented toward science, calculated, measured, controlled Rational vs. non-rational—capitalism is highly rational All this rationality eliminates the human component – Bureaucracy Modern society is oppressive, increasingly bureaucratic because increasingly rational

Three Theoretical Paradigms Structural Functionalism – Society is viewed as composed of various parts, each with a function that, when fulfilled, contributes to society’s equilibrium Conflict Theory – Society is viewed as composed of groups that are competing for resources Symbolic Interactionism – Society is viewed as composed of symbols that people use to establish meaning, develop their views of the world, and communicate with one another