1. Sociology: An Introduction

2. Part 1: Basic Sociological Understandings
“Sociology is everywhere & everywhere is sociology…”

3. How do politicians use sociology to appeal to the group?

6. What are the social sciences & how is sociology different from the other social sciences?

7. What is Sociology?
DEFINITION: the systematic study of human society & social behavior
TWO PRIMARY QUESTIONS:
Why do people behave the way they do?
Why are social situations the way they are?

8. Sociological Perspective
DEFINITION: a scientific & systematic method of viewing the behavior of groups
Seeing the general in the particular…
Seeing the strange in the familiar…

9. Sociological Perspective
Peter Berger:
Seeing the general in the particular…
Possible to identify general social patterns in the behavior of particular individuals
Individuals ARE unique; however, society’s social forces shape us into “kinds” of people

10. Sociological Perspective
C. Wright Mills:
Seeing the strange in the familiar…
There are definite connections between one’s personal life and society as a whole
Society shapes our lives
We must give up the idea that human behavior is simply a matter of personal decisions

12. Sociological Perspective
Sociological Imagination:
The ability to see connections between the larger world and our personal lives
Connection between “history” & “biography”
“the capacity to range from the most impersonal & remote topics to the most intimate features of human self – and to see the relations between the two…”
How do your problems fit into the bigger picture?
Why am I paying so much for gas?
What kind of job can I expect when I graduate?
PRIVATE v. PUBLIC ISSUES

13. Sociological Perspective
“The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relations between the two within society”
“the capacity to range from the most impersonal & remote topics to the most intimate features of human self – and to see the relations between the two…”
How do your problems fit into the bigger picture?
Why am I paying so much for gas?
What kind of job can I expect when I graduate?
PRIVATE v. PUBLIC ISSUES

17. What is the fault/problem of the individual?
What is the fault/problem of society?

18. Sociological Perspective
Benefits of the Sociological Perspective:
Assess the truth of “common sense”
Assess the opportunities & constraints in our lives (social forces)
Empowers us to become active social participants
Allows us to live in a diverse world

19. Part 2: Historical Origins

20. Historical Background
Developed as an academic discipline during the mid-19th century
Sociology emerged as the intellectual atmosphere of Europe shifted
Change in Focus:
How should an ideal society operate?
How does society operate in reality?

21. Historical Timeline Enlightenment (late 1600s to late 1700s)
Industrial Revolution (mid 1700s to mid 1800s)
Urbanization (mid 1800s forward)

22. Part 3: Who’s Who in Sociology

23. Auguste Comte (1798–1857) French philosopher
Father of Sociology (1838)
Coined “Sociology”
One of the 1st to apply the scientific method to study of social life
Focused on social order and social change

24. Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) English philosopher
Heavily influenced by Darwin
Believed that social change and conflict were inevitable on the road to a perfect society
“Social Darwinism”

25. Karl Marx (1818–1883) German philosopher
Believed that society is a direct reflection of economic organization; driven by economic forces
Two Warring Classes:
Bourgeoisie & Proletariat

26. Emile Durkheim (1858–1917) French sociologist
Particularly concerned with social order, as well its maintenance
Interested in the functions of societal institutions
First true sociological study, Suicide (1897)

27. Max Weber (1864–1920) German sociologist
Interested in society’s impact on the individual, rather than society as a whole
Vershtehen (fehr-SHTAY-en)
Social actions/motivations
Most influential in regards to modern sociology…

28. Part 4: Sociological Theory

29. Importance of Theory
Attempts to explain social behavior in terms of the “real world”
Three Major Theoretical Approaches:
Structural-Functionalism
Conflict Theory
Symbolic Interactionism

30. Importance of Theory
Each approach provides a set of fundamental assumptions that help guide sociological understanding
Macro-Level v. Micro-Level

31. Macro-Level

32. Structural-Functionalism
Guiding Question:
How is social order maintained & what are the consequences of this maintenance?
Key Players:
Comte, Spencer, Durkheim

33. Structural-Functionalism
Assumptions:
Society is an organism comprised of interrelated parts; known as subsystems
Subsystems work together to promote solidarity & stability
Each subsystem has a function (manifest v. latent)
YouTube Video: Latent Function of Ed?
Subsystems:
Economy, government, religion, education, the family – each has a FUNCTION
Function; positive consequence; promote stability
Dysfunction; negative consequence; promote change
Latent Function – unrecognized & unintended consequence of social structure
Manifest Function – recognized & intended consequence of social structure

34. Structural-Functionalism
Major Emphases:
Stability (function v. dysfunction)
Harmony
Evolution
Emphases:
Stability – Evaluate patterns in terms of whether they contribute to the maintenance of society. Functional patterns have positive consequences while dysfunctional patterns have negative consequences (e.g., reliance on cars has led to environmental problems and weakened family and community ties).
Harmony – Assume parts of society, like parts of an “organism,” work together for the good of the whole and are characterized by harmony.
Evolution – Social change occurs through evolution – adaptation of subsystems or institutions to new needs and demands. Also proposes that changes in one subsystem will likely lead to changes in others.

35. Structural-Functionalism
Key Criticisms:
Conservative bias; overlooks key social issues
Subjective and unclear

36. Conflict Theory Guiding Question:
How is society organized (or divided) and who benefits from this?
Key Players:
Marx, Weber, Mills
Primary Focus:
Addresses conflict within society
The forces in society that promote competition & change

37. Conflict Theory Assumptions:
Society consists of basic inequalities; contributes to inevitable conflict
Social relations are in a constant state of change
The “Haves” v. the “Have-Nots”
Privileged individuals and groups benefit from a given set of social arrangements and they do so at the expense of less privileged groups. Typically the privileged exert power because of their control over the means of production – i.e., the means through which people make a living.

38. Conflict Theory Major Emphases: Competition over scarce resources
Impact of inequalities on power & rewards
Social change as a result of conflict

39. Conflict Theory Key Criticisms:
Difficult to explain the more orderly & stable elements of society
Too heavily focused on economy & class; neglects the cultural aspects of society
Assumes that differences ALWAYS lead to conflict

40. Micro-Level

41. Symbolic Interactionism
Guiding Question:
How, and in what way, do people interpret and negotiate their surroundings?
Key Players:
Weber, Mead, Cooley

42. Symbolic Interactionism
Assumptions:
People attach meaning to things based on their ongoing interactions with others
Continuously negotiated
Meanings guide action & reaction
As relationships change, the meanings people give to certain things will change

43. Symbolic Interactionism
Major Emphases:
Language & symbols are the building blocks of society
Importance of interpersonal relationships & social interaction
Socialization

44. Symbolic Interactionism
Key Criticisms:
Tends to minimize the impact of larger societal factors in regards to interpersonal relationships & interactions

45. Practice
Societies are in relative balance
Structural Functionalism

46. Practice Power is one of the most important elements in social life
Conflict

47. Practice Religion helps hold a society together morally
Structural Functionalism

48. Practice
Symbols are crucial to social life
Symbolic Interactionism

49. Practice Many elements of a society exist to benefit the powerful
Conflict

50. Practice
Segments of society compete to achieve their own self-interest rather than cooperate to benefit others
Conflict

51. Practice
Social life should be understood from the viewpoint of the individuals involved
Symbolic Interactionism

52. Practice Education is a necessary aspect of social harmony
Structural Functionalism

53. Practice
Social change is constantly occurring
Conflict

54. Practice Conflict is harmful and disruptive to society
Structural Functionalism